Hello,
I'm hoping for some help from the list.
I am looking for information on how libraries deal with reservations. Please could you help, I've outlined the areas where I need information, any help you can provide at this busy time year would be greatly appreciated. I will of course provide a summary for the list.
1. How do users place reservations, e.g. by using the library catalogue or by coming to a helpdesk? If they can only place reservation by going to a helpdesk how much staff time does this take and is the feedback positive?
2. How are reservations collected, e.g staff go and collect them from shelves or the item is 'caught' on return? If staff go and find the reservation what is the turn around time and how is this done? Is there a dedicated person who does this and what happens when that person is off?
3. If the reserved item is out on loan is it then recalled and the due date changed? Are there any penalties to encourage return of the item, such as an increased fine or a blocked borrower account? What is the response to this?
4. If the reserved item has more than one reservation on it do you limit the length of the loan?
5. How are reserved items stored, e.g behind a helpdesk where users come to desk to collect them, in an open collection area or somewhere else? If it is an open collection area how is use monitored, what is to prevent another user taking the book to read, or is this something you allow?
6. How long are items kept for collection? Is user feedback positive or negative about reserved items only being kept for so long?
Please where possible could you give details of feedback, formal or informal, about how users respond to the service?
Thank you in advance for your help,
Rebecca Skoyles
Information Assistant
Northumbria University
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