CIRCULATION

The ____Key…Searching Horizon

Treasure Hunt

CIRCULATION

• Circulation is the process by which a library system moves materials through the system. These tasks include:– Lending materials– Checking in materials– Processing fines/fees– Shelving– Troubleshooting Circulation technology

• Most library systems use automated library software to accomplish this. HCPL uses Horizon.

Horizon 7.4.2.lnk

BTypes

• The BType or “borrower” type is located in the F6 or borrower record. Btypes indicate what type of borrower has this record (A for Adult and C for Child)

• Three HCPL branches use different Btypes, CYF, FB, and TOM. They are (cyfa or cyfc, fba or fbc and toma or tomc)

• There are additional Btypes, these are the most commonly used.

Btypes

• A customers BType affects what materials they have access to.

• For example customers with a C (Child) BType can not check out videos/DVDs. – Customers with a CYFA Btype have access to

MCMLS materials.

Location

• The location is located in the F6 or borrower record. This field indicates the home branch of the patron and dictates where a customers Request will automatically go.

Acceptable Identification and Who May Register

•Anyone who lives in Harris County and the State Of Texas may apply for a Harris County Public Library Card. All residents have to do is show proof of mailing address and fill out the library card registration form. Anyone under the age of 18 just needs a parent/guardian signature to receive a library card.

•People who live outside of Texas, but anywhere in the United States, may apply for a Visitor card.

Checking Out

•Patrons may check out materials by presenting their library card at the check out desk. If they don’t have their card we can search for them by name using any item from the acceptable identification list in the registration policy.

•When you search by name, verify the address on the identification matches the one on the account. If they don’t match, use other means such as pin number, mother’s maiden name or phone number to verify that you have the right patron account.

Borrower Records

•You can tell a lot from just exploring a patron’s borrower record. You can find out pertinent information such as last check out date, payment history, who is allowed to pick up holds and other useful information that may be needed.

• Every day we deal with many different situations that come up with our patrons, most of these dealing with problems such as fines and fees. Knowing how to navigate the borrower record can help you solve any issue that may present itself.

Borrower records: A closer look.

From this tab you can edit a patron’s borrower record, look at requests, history blocks, and find out the payment history.

For more detailed information on Circulation Policies click the link

below.

http://harriet.hcpl.net/index.php?q=content/circulation-policies