Library Functions: CIRCULATION

• Create monthly book displays
• Library Circulation
  
  The circulation department at the Richland Library is responsible for all circulation services provided to library patrons. Patrons include credit and continuing education/workforce students, RCHS students, faculty & staff members, and Texshare/Alumni card holders. Circulation staff members are available at two services desks during all hours of operation - currently 66.5 hours per week.
  
  Public Contact and Customer Service
  Working at the circulation desk involves a great deal of contact with students, faculty, staff and often the general public. On an average day, as many as 1000 patrons use the Richland Library. Every circulation staff member is expected to maintain a level of courteous assistance at all times, regardless of the situation.
  
  The manager of circulation services provides day to day problem-solving and works together with the circulation coordinators to develop operational procedures, customer service policies and circulation guidelines for the circulation area.
  
  Item Checkouts
  Over 34,000 items are circulated each year by the circulation staff, including books, periodicals, laptop computers and study room keys. To track the circulation (and return) of library materials, patron records are updated and item record are modified by scanning barcodes into the district-wide Millennium circulation software system.
  
  Returns, Transport and Re-Shelving
  Upon return, all materials are re-scanned, inspected and sorted for re-shelving. Damaged items are set aside for evaluation and repair. Laptops are re-charged and the circulation staff also trouble-shoot minor hardware or software problems if needed.
  
  Once full, the book carts are “pushed out” so the circulation staff shelvers can return the books back to the various collections on different floors of the library. Book transport is physically demanding work, and transferring a fully loaded book cart onto our often off-level elevator is a tricky process. The main collection is housed in the basement, and the Mind, Body and Wellness collection is in the Logo Vista Gallery. The new books and McNaughton collections are located on the mezzanine level near the current periodicals.
  
  Overdue Materials and Blocks
  Patrons with overdue materials are contacted via e-mail or an automated phone notification program. Blocks for non-returned items are placed on patrons records by circulation staff members using both the Millennium circulation software and the Colleague/Datatel systems. In the event of lost or damaged materials, the circulation staff calculates replacement costs and creates an invoice listing the total amount owed by the patron. Students pay for lost and damaged materials at the business office, and after payment has been made, the circulation staff updates the patron’s record and removes the blocks.
  
  Inventory and Collection Maintenance
  Circulation staff members are responsible for maintaining the order and condition of all the books and print materials in the library. Checking the order of the books on the shelves, known as “Shelf Reading”, is done throughout the work week, and regularly scheduled automated inventory checks are performed during semester breaks. During the inventory process, missing items are researched and if not located, the item’s record is updated to show the current status. (Something about the size of the collection should go here too. )
  
  ICL, ILL, E-Requests, Holds and Course Reserves
  Need Patricia and Annie’s input on this section
  
  Maintain Security and Surroundings
  Still needs to be written as complete, descriptive sentences
  • respond to emergency exit alarms
  • respond to patron reports
  • monitor areas
  • Noise control
  • push in chairs & pick up trash
  • Lost and Found
  • Contact facilities services & building maintenance staff
  • Perform opening and closing procedures
  • Respond to security gate
  • Activate security tape
  
  
  
  Pay-4-Print
  Over 300,000 pages were printed last year from the two Pay-4-print printers in room L124. The circulation staff, with the help of 5 Federal Work Study student assistants, keeps the pay-4-print operations running smoothly.
  
  Pay-4-Print duties include:
  • Help students set up Pay-4-Print accounts
  • Answer student questions about printing various formats, including adobe/ecampus/powerpoint.
  • Demonstrate how to make copies, including how to maximize, minimize and make double sided copies if needed.
  • Restock paper in printers and copiers
  • Keep print room, copy room and alcove area clean.
  • Assist students with flatbed scanners and scanner software, if requested.
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  Circulation supervisors also troubleshoot and document kiosk, copy machines and printers problems, contacting Danka and the Richland IT staff if needed. The circulation staff supervisors also evaluate refund requests, and issue and track refunds when granted.
  
  
  Other Duties not yet detailed
  Stats for director
  book drop
  Pick up mail
  process new books and "assignment alert” carts
  District circulation group
  Clean workstations
  Signage and voice messages
  Assist patrons with laptop questions, refer to computer lab when possible
  TexShare Cards
  Laptop Contracts
  Microfilm
  Assist visually impaired students with Aladdin enlarger and Zoomtext.
  Prep for special events
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  From the job descriptions
  
  Circulation Assistant:
  
  GENERAL SUMMARY: Responsible for support of library circulation through check out, preparation of material for filing and other duties. Maintains records of circulation. Assists students in use of library facilities.
  
  PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Assists in checking in and checking out print and non print material.
  • Assists students in use of microfiche and microfilm readers and in the distribution of ID cards as needed.
  • Prepares print and non print material for filing and/or binding.
  • Assists in inter library and inter campus loans of material, including distribution, retrieval and transaction records.
  • Assists faculty in coordinating faculty reserves, including identification and distribution of reserved material.
  • Assists other department personnel with library inventory and works at reference desk as needed.
  • May trouble-shoot minor equipment problems; refers major problems to appropriate individual.
  • Some positions may require the incumbent to work 50% of the time as a circulation assistant and 50% as the department’s office assistant involved in general clerical duties.
  • Performs related duties as assigned.
  
  
  
  Circulation Coordinator
  
  GENERAL SUMMARY: Responsible for coordination of library circulation staff and functions.
  
  PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Uses automated library system to check materials (print/non-print) in and out.
  • Works with automated library system and with online academic system, entering data, searching databases, editing records, verifying information.
  • Trains and supervises lower level staff generally comprised of part-timers and/or student assistants in the use of automated systems and in collection maintenance; may schedule circulation staff.
  • Maintains online block records for delinquent patrons on both library and academic system.
  • Responsible for automated inventory of library materials; examines records and materials to determine status of missing items.
  • Assists faculty in coordinating reserve materials, including identification and distribution of reserve items in print and electronic formats.
  • Maintains circulation records and prepares online reports of usage statistics.
  • Troubleshoots minor equipment problems.
  • Works with students, staff, faculty, potential students providing information about departmental functions; acts as liaison with other campus and district areas regarding library services.
  • Develops and recommends procedures and guidelines to handle circulation services.
  • May be responsible for intercampus and interlibrary loans.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  
  Manager, Circulation Services
  
  GENERAL SUMMARY: Responsible for working with a high degree of independent judgment and latitude for discretion in the planning, coordinating and managing the circulation operations and services of the location library that serve as the primary contact to library patron in acquiring library materials and equipment.
  
  PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Plans, coordinates and manages operations of location library circulation. Assists patrons in the check out process of library materials and equipment; update patron records to track circulation of library materials and equipment; ensure proper order, maintenance, and condition of all books, materials and equipment of the college library.
  • Selects and evaluates circulation staff. Provides day to day problem-solving, develop operational procedures, customer service policies, and circulation guidelines, ensures proper training of staff. Creates and maintains circulation staff schedules to ensure coverage at all times.
  • Prepares documentation to support equipment use and forecast future needs.
  • Maintains library’s reserve material collection.
  • Maintains inventory control of library book collections.
  • Monitors personnel budget for circulation. Prepares technical specifications for equipment purchases in support of library budget development.
  • Assists students with library services and enforces circulation policies.
  • Collects and maintains statistical data needed in the evaluation of circulation services and for federal and state reports.
  • Serves as a liaison with other campuses regarding circulation services. Some locations may participate in the District Circulation Peer Group.
  • Performs designated duties of Dean, Instructional Support Services in his/her absence.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.