Many thanks for all those who took time to respond to my query about
renewals policies. For information, here is a summary of the findings.
The responses (32) came from a very wide range of libraries. Two thirds of
institutions had either no maximum limit or placed a maximum limit only on
unseen renewals.
Renewal status usually varied between loan types, most commonly that no
renewals were allowed on short loan (eg 4 hour) and overnight/1 day loan
types. Otherwise maximum renewals ranged from 2 to 99. Only 4 institutions
restricted renewals by borrower type.
The reasons given for the policies in place fell, in most cases, between the
need for circulation of stock and the need to check that the user still had
the book & wasn't trying to hide problems with it (as one respondent put it,
'that the dog had eaten it!'). 3 institutions cited both as reasons. It's
not possible to draw strict corrolation between responses, but there seems
to be a close relationship (as might be expected) between strict renewals
limits (when the book must be brought back afterwards, not just discharged &
reissued) and the citing of improving circulation as a reason for this.
Comments from those 8 that gave circulation as the reason for restricting
renewals:
- 1 only stated this reason for their short loan collection, the rest of the
stock had maximum 99 renewals
- 1 stated they were about to change the policy because it didn't improve
circulation of stock
- 1 stated that their low renewal limit made more work in terms of shelving
& issue desk procedures
Comments from those 16 which cited proof that the book still existed as a
reason for restrictions:
-4 stated that restrictive renewal limits make more work for staff & create
their own problems
- 2 had recently moved from a more restrictive renewal policy to a more
relaxed one.
- 2 stated that their reservation system was the focus for improved
circulation
- 1 stated that loan limits were a focus for improved circulation.
If you have any further queries about this please contact me.
thanks again
Arwen Thomas
Arwen Thomas
Campus Librarian, University of Wales Institute
Howard Gardens Cardiff CF24 0SP
[log in to unmask]
Tel: 029 2041 6276
'The question is not how to survive but how to thrive, with passion,
compassion, humour and style' - Maya Angelou
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