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Hi Maeve, we lend DVDs etc. directly to customers, whatever their age, but only those they are allowed to borrow. Short answer This is based upon technical set up of your system to work smoothly for customers and staff. There are some backroom workload issues to consider. Long answer This is controlled by customer borrower types and stock item types. Customers types are aligned with certification ratings, so related to age. Their type is changed automatically by the system as they get older age as defined by their date of birth held in their record. There is also an item type for every different certificate level of each different format, and based upon its certification etc. e.g. videos can be U, PG, 12, 15 and 18, so for videos there will be videoU, videoPG, video12, etc. This works sweet as a nut for customers and the front line staff serving them. Younger customers can borrow whatever they are allowed without having to ask mum. This means we are treating them directly. Staff don't need to think about it. The card will allow any customer what they are legally allowed to borrow according to certification. Of course like all smooth customer services (we like to think so!), they are driven by important backroom work. The main issues are: * You need a lot of item types (we have about 260) * You need quite a few borrower types (we have about 40) * All customer records need correct dates of birth (should be a no-brainer!) * All records need the correct item type (ditto) * You need a system that is capable of switching borrower types automatically by age The real killer though is how much you charge, because for every different borrower with different permissions and process, you increase the number of separate price codes needed to ensure they get charged the correct amount automatically on issue. If like us you have a wide range of prices (e.g. 1-2 cassettes different from 3-6, dvds different to videos, concessison for age, concessions for Large print, etc etc.) then you start to build up a very large price matrix. The amount of backroom for this customer service will increase depending on this complexity! In theory, the number of price codes you need varies between 0 (no charges for anything or anyone) and the product of your item codes and borrower codes (all items are charged at different rates depending on the different borrowers), which in this case is about 10,000) Here, we have about 2,400 and each of these needs to be upgraded every time you have an incremental price change (annually) This takes about 2-3 weeks! << I would say go for it for your customers, but be kind to your system support officer, as they will have a new complex and quite tedious job to do! Kind regards Andrew Lewis e-Services Officer Library and Information Services Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead 01628 796 592 [log in to unmask] www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/onlinelibrary.htm -----Original Message----- From: Maeve O'Connor [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 27 April 2006 17:31 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Loaning DVDs and videos directly to under 18's At Manchester Libraries, we are considering extending the loan of DVDs and videos to under 18 borrowers. Up till now our DVD/video collection has been borrowable only to those over 18. I would be most grateful if list members could provide me with any information on their experience of loaning DVDs/videos directly to under 18's, or any thoughts they may have on this issue. Some points we are considering are: * What charge is made - full cost/concessionary charge/free loan? * Has this resulted in a pronounced effect on the level of income generated? * If items are loaned for free and without a fine/retrospective hire charge, is your stock returned? What inducement is there for it to be returned? If no charge is made, have you lost a lot of stock? * If your authority loans these items to under 18's already, what steps have you taken to ensure your staff do not unwittingly break the law by loaning a certificated DVD e.g. a certificate 12 to a child under that age? * How do you prevent borrowing by proxy - a younger child borrowing an older child's ticket to borrow e.g. a certificate 15 title? I shall publish a summary of all responses received. Many thanks. Maeve O'Connor Sport & Leisure Co-ordinator 3rd Floor Central Library St Peter's Square Manchester M2 5PD Tel 0161 234 1317 email: [log in to unmask] ********************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept by MIMEsweeper for the presence of computer viruses. Please contact [log in to unmask] with any queries. **********************************************************************