We use the circulation system in the Information Navigator.(Although
we had to make quite a few customizations to get it to do what we
needed it to do). We have barcoded the entire collection and have to
circulation terminals at exits to the library. We display the name of
the borrower in the catalog (except for ILLs). In addition to the
normal circulation system we developed our own adaptations. We
programmed a hand-held data collection device that we use in "room
raids." Once a month we go through the firm and identify the current
location of books and upload the data into the catalog and circulation
system. This allows us to pick up the location of books that were not
checked out in the first place and books that are no longer with the
original borrower.
We have had this system in place for a year and the results have been
dramatic. We rarely get complaints from lawyers that they can't find
books. This used to be a constant complaint voiced by the lawyers.
The fact that the borrowers name is in the catalog seems to motivate
people to tell us when they have "loaned" a book to someone else, so
we get a fair number of voluntary updates on book locations.
The looseleaf filer reports a dramatic improvement in her ability to
locate books for filing. Last month she reported that she found every
book she was looking for.
In addition now have data on actual usage of books in the collection.
We developed a circulation code to allow us to monitor "in library" use
of books, so we know what books are leaving the shelf even if they do
not leave the library. Circulation stats on individual books are being
used in making collection management and budget decisions.
We are currently evaluating new integrated library systems and I am
surprised that vendors have not yet recognized the need for
circulation reports by title. The default reports seem to be total
circulation for specific time periods and many vendors do not make it
easy to get a report on what books are circulating and how often they
circulate.
Another issue to consider is that most library automation systems are
not built for self check out. Therefore the systems don't provide for
a public circulation module. We can't "lock" the terminals into
circulation mode and lawyers often decide they want to search the
catalog from the circ terminal and then walk away leaving the circ
terminal in catalog mode and the librarians have to reset the terminal
to circulation through out the day. This is another feature we will be
looking for in our new ILS.
Jean O'Grady
Director of Information Services
Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering
Washington, DC 20037
202-663-6747
jogrady@wilmer.com
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Bar Coding and Book Security
Author: <TOMCRYPT@aol.com > at PSI
Date: 8/27/98 11:23 PM
Please excuse the cross posting.
We are considering instituting bar coding and a security system in our law
firm library. I would appreicate comments and suggestions on the best ones
and the procedures to implement them. I am especially interested in private
law libraries comments. I will gladly summarize the results.
Thank you
Tom Fleming
Piper & Marbury L.L.P.
36 S. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
410-576-1810
tfleming@pipermar.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Nov 14 2007 - 20:49:57 PST