VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK

INDEX

Opening and Closing Duties

Computer Passwords

Overview of EasyPac

Patron Check In/Out

Phone Number List

New Patron Cards

Updating Patron Cards

Blocked Patron

Overdue Books/Items

Fines

How to Place an Item on Hold

Inter Library Loans (ILL)

Not on File Material

Searching other Branches for Items

Shelving Books

Location of supplies

Fire Alarm & Keys to Control Panel

Kill Switches for Alarms

Emergencies

Complaints

What to do with inappropriate (banned) Materials


OVERVIEW OF EASYPAC

CHECKING ITEMS IN AND OUT

EasyPac is the Red & Blue icon in the left corner of the computer screen (VTLS-EsayPac)

Click to open.

EASYPAC -  Choose ECIRC

            Select Line 11

            Location Code 2600

            Enter

            /pass  (lower case)

            Enter

            BOSS (password must be in upper case)

EASYPAC OPERATING KEYS 

N is for Name              N/last name press enter to call up all patron information

I is for In                      /I  press enter to check in items

O is for Out                  /O press enter to check out items

R is for Renew  /R press enter to renew items

P is for Patron              /P press enter and scan library card for patron information

Checking In Returned Items

·        I is for in     Type /I then enter

·        Scan the library code for each check-in

Checking Items Out With Library Card

·        O is for out - Type /O then enter

·        Scan the patron’s library card

·        Scan the barcode of each item

·        Stamp due date in book (s)

Checking Items Out Without Library Card

Type N/ (last name) then enter

·        Select the number of the patron you want press enter

·        Next screen is the patron activity screen

·        Type O then enter

·        Scan items and stamp due date

Renewals

·        R is for renew - Type /R then enter

·        Scan each item for renewal

·        Stamp new due date          

Renewing Material By Phone

·        N is for name - N/Last name then enter

·        Choose the number of the patron you want press enter

·        The next screen is the patron activity screen

·        Type RN+ the number of the item they wish to renew press enter

·        Repeat for each item.  To renew all items type RN ALL

·        Tell the patron the new due date

How to Place Items on Hold

Often times a patron will request an item be placed on hold.  Please take down the title, author, and the person’s name and phone number requesting the item.   Items placed on hold are under the desk to the left of the computer, tagged with the person’s name.

Searching for Items

·        T is for title -T/item name    ex. T/Violets are Blue

·        A is for Author -A/Last name, First name or initial   ex. A/Patterson, James

·        S is for subject -S/ subject  ex. S/Dogs

On the screen is a list of book fitting the description.  Choose the number and press enter this will bring up the location of the item.   If we don’t have an item that a patron is looking for you can search our branch offices. To search our other branches type /LIB and choose which library (by number) you want to search press enter, the screen will scroll down when it stops choose type 11 and enter, your screen will now say you are position in (library you choose).  To return to McClintic Library type home and enter.


New Patron Card

All patrons must have a library card to borrow items from the library.  Cards are provided at no cost.  Before creating a new patron card, check the system first to make sure they don’t already have a card.  Ask if they have a card at one of the other branches.  If they have a card with a bar code you can create a record (at McClintic) with the following steps.

·        Type /P then enter

·        Enter Patron Type

LETTERS MUST BE IN ALL CAPS

CH for Child

AD for Adult

YA for Young adult (age 12-17)

TH for Teacher

·        Press enter

·        Skip 2nd ID# by pressing enter

·        Skip Title Code by pressing enter

·        Last Name - Type last name and enter

·        First Name - Type first name and enter

·        Middle Name- Type middle name or initial and press enter (press enter to skip)

·        Local Code - Type Mart (Marlinton) and press enter

Or HI for Hillsboro

     DU for Durbin

     GB for Green Bank

·        Address - Type first line of address and press enter

·        Skip 2nd line of address by pressing enter

·        Type City and enter

·        Type State and enter (if it’s WV just press the enter key)

·        Type Zip and enter (if it’s 24954 just press the enter key)

·        Type the phone number and enter

Do not put area code in parenthesis - do not use 1 or you won’t have enough room ex. 304-799-6000

The next screen is the patron record screen.  Check the information.  If you need to make corrections, type the number of the field you want to change.  Press enter until you get back to the patron record screen.

After completing the patron file, type a label (on the typewriter) with the patron’s name address and phone number.  Stick it on the front of the card and cover it with a piece of tape to protect the label.

Note: There are other fields shown on the patron record screen.

Updating Patrons Card

Once a year the computer system automatically asks you to update patron records.  You’ll get a prompt when you begin to check someone out: “PATRON RECORD HAS EXPIRED” After you check out their materials, tell them you need to update their record.  Type P then enter.  Their patron record will come up; all you need to do is check name, address and phone number.  If you need to make any changes select that field and press enter.  When finished type date then enter.

Overdue Books 

If a patron has an overdue item, do not check out more material. Type PA and enter.  This will give you the patron activity screen.  From here you will be able to tell which books or other items are still out. If the items are only a few days over due offer to renew (see renewing items).  If the patron thinks they returned the items look up the location, and look on the shelf.  Make sure the ID # is the same.  

Paying for lost items - If the patron has lost the item and wishes to pay for it. Look up the item (t/title and enter) the price will be listed on this screen.  Leave the money and the name of the item they are paying for on the desk.  The librians will remove the item from the database.

Paying fines (see fines)

Paying Fines

Watch the screen, when you’re checking out a patron and you get a prompt that says. “Patron owes fines. Fines should be paid. Do you want to continue to check out? Y/N; Tell the patron that they have a fine. You’ll have to choose Y/N to answer the prompt.  Type F then enter to reach the fine screen.  If you want more information on an item select the item # and enter.  Fines are assessed at .03 per day. To pay fines: Click adjust from here you will be able to choose, part pay, full pay, waive, or modify.  To pay part click part pay, enter amount they wish to pay and press enter.  The screen will show you the amount paid and the amount they still owe.  Full Pay, when you choose full pay the screen will say Patron Fines Fully Paid; you do not have to enter an amount.  Waive – is to waive someone fine. Click waive – a box will come up for you to choose which item you waive. NOTE: The computer occasionally add a $5.00 fine to random patron.  These fines are waived. 

Blocked Patron 

If a patron is blocked, do not check out any more material to them.  Take down their name and phone number someone from the library will call them the following day.

Searching Other Branches For Items

Type /Lib then enter. This screen will give you a list of libraries, which can be accessed.  Type NS (for next screen) to continue library list.  Choose the number of the library you wish to search.  The screen will ask for a terminal number - it is always 13 then enter.    The screen will tell you which library you are in.  From here, do a title search (t/item name -enter) an author search (a/last name -enter) or a subject search (s/subject-enter).   If another branch has the item you’re looking for, and it’s available.  Make a note of, 1) Who it’s for. 2) The Title. 3) Which Library.   Library staff will call to request the item.

Inter Library Loans (ILL)  

Inter Library Loans are items borrowed from another library within the state.  There is a fee for these items, to cover shipping cost.  If a patron wants something ILL, take down the name of the item, author, their name and phone number and leave on the desk for the librarian.  Sometimes the patron may not know a title or author, in this case write down any important information. 

Not on File Material

Occasionally you will come across an item that isn’t on file.  If this happens when you are checking out items, go ahead and let the patron have the item.  Write down the Title, Author, and ID number listed and leave it on the desk for the librarian.  If it happens when you are checking in items, simply place the item in the box under the left-hand side of the desk, marked “Not On File”
Shelving Books

Most spine labels have at least three lines.  The first line tells you what section the book belongs.

  E - Easy Reader                                                        

  J - Juvenile      

  F - Fiction                                                                  This label tells you that it is a juvenile

YA- Young Adult                                                         non-fiction, by Pipe and belongs to

CT- Cassette Tape                                                       Marlinton.

VI  - Video

BIO - Biography

ABIO - Autobiography

JBIO - J Biography

JABIO - J Autobiography

YABIO - Young Adult Biography

YABIO - Young Adult Autobiography

B&T- Baker and Taylor

Blue Quilt Label - WV and Appalachian Heritage Collection.

000.000- Books with numbers are non-fiction. J and YA non-fiction will have the letter before the number. The first four letters of the author’s last name (see above) is under the call code.  The bottom line tells you what library the book belongs to: MART is Marlinton, DU is Durbin, HI is Hillsboro and GB is Green Bank.  Books to other Branches should be places in the office so they can be returned to the correct location. 

Fiction

Works of fiction are shelved alphabetically by author.

Non-Fiction

Works of non-fiction are shelved numerically first and then alphabetically by author.

Paperback Fiction

Paperbacks weather adult, juvenile or young adult is filed in paperback sections of each group.

Easy Readers (children’s books) are filed in the easy reader section.  Most easy readers will only have the first letter of the author’s last name.  These books are shelved alphabetically by that letter, A, B, C and etc.

Baker & Taylor

Baker & Taylor are shelved on the Baker & Taylor shelf.  They are filed alphabetically by the TITLE.  NOTE: This is different from other books.

WV and Appalachian Heritage collection

These items are shelved by Video, Cassette, Fiction or Non-Fiction.  All books (hardback and paperbacks) are shelved together.

OPENING DUTIES

·        Unlock main doors - Relock and dog down

·        Turn on lights

·        Boot up computers

·        Gather books from outside depository

·        Check in books

·        Shelve Books - straighten shelves

CLOSING DUTIES

·        UN-dog and lock back doors at 6pm

·        Check all outside doors and windows (Make sure doors are closed and latched)

·        Put Money Box under the desk in the Staff Office – Do Not Lock The Door.

·        Check bathroom and turn off lights

·        Check kitchen  - turn off lights and coffee pot

·        Turn off copier

·        Shut down computers

·        Turn off any lighted seasonal displays

·        Turn off lights - leaving on switch which is taped

·        UN-dog and lock front doors (after you go out double check to make sure outside doors are locked) Leave inside doors unlocked.

·        Please Do Not lock office doors.  (Allen’s and Staff’s)

COMPUTER PASSWORDS

·        User Name                         All

·        Password                           Char

PHONE NUMBERS

From time to time emergencies may arise and you will need to call someone; listed below is a list of library employees phone numbers.

Allen Johnson – Director – 304-799-4137

Nancy Smithson - 304-799-6387

Laura Pritt – 304-653-4682

Note: Never give out employees home phone number.  If some one asks you for it, take their name and phone and pass it on to the individual.  If you feel that it is an emergency - phone the individual and say Nancy I have John Doe here at the desk and he wishes to speak with you.

History and Genealogy Room

The history and genealogy room is open to anyone wanting to do research.  We have a lot of information on microfilm.  Keys to the history room and bookcases are under the desk (in the apple). No food or drinks are allowed in this room. 

Conference & Education Room

The company or person who booked the facility is responsible for bagging up trash, replacing chairs and tables in their original positions.  Meeting schedules are listed in the black book on the front desk.   If someone calls wanting to reserve one of the rooms –take down 1) persons name 2) phone number where they can be reached the following day 3) date.  Someone from the library will call back the following day to confirm reservation.

Trouble Shooting

Bathrooms: If the bathroom should become unusable, please put an out of order sign on the door and allow patrons to use the Staff Bathroom.  You may want to check the bathroom from time to time for cleanness. 

Location of Supplies

Bathroom Tissue, paper towels, and cleaning supplies are located in the closet at the end of the hall near the bathroom.  This closet is not locked.

Copy paper is located under the copy machine.  This is the same paper used for the printer and fax machine.

Tape and most general office supplies will be located under the circulation desk.

Labels for patron cards are located in the upper right hand desk drawer of the typewriter desk.

Emergencies

Hurt Patron - For minor cuts the first aid kit is located in the staff bathroom in the medicine cabinet.   For serious injuries call 911. If a child is hurt immediately call their parents.

Fire Alarm & Keys to Control Panel – The key to the control panel is in the moneybox. This key will turn off   the fire alarm.  If the fire alarm goes off call 911. 

Complaints

One of the most difficult tasks of working with the public is learning how to handle complaints.

Rule of thumb don’t take it personal.  Remain calm. Find out what the problem is, and then follow these step.  Get the persons name, address, and phone number.  Write down or have them write down what the complaint is.  Say I’m sorry this has happened, the director or the head Liberian will call tomorrow.  If they become abusive ask them to leave, if they refuse, ask them again, please leave or I will call 911.    If there are other patrons present, simply say I’m sorry you had to witness this; please don’t let it prevent you from using the library.

What to do with inappropriate (banned) Materials

There is no easy answer to what is inappropriate. Pornography is banned from the library.   Use common sense; a grown woman looking at Victoria Secrets is ok, while on the other hand a 13-year boy looking at Victoria Secrets is not. Most of the time if a patron is looking at something they shouldn’t be - if you walk behind them - or in some manner make them realize that you know what they are doing they will get off.  If they do not get off the web site, quietly ask them to get off the computer and leave.  Take down their name, computer number, time, and web site address, and leave the information on Allen’s Desk.  All Chatting of any kind are banned from the Library

Anytime you have to deal with an emergency, an irate patron, or upset parent - The number one thing to remember - REMAIN CALM.

Charges

During opening hours the moneybox is kept under the desk in front of the computer hard drive. (With the lid closed) upon closing sit the box in the office under the desk.  Please leave the office door unlocked.  We try to leave enough change in the box – however if we don’t just take down the persons name and amount they owe and leave it in the box. 

 

§         Copies                   .15 per page copier or computer

 .10 per page for students for schoolwork

§         Color Copies          1.00 per page – color printer is in the history room.

§         Fax                        1.00 per page to send

  .50 per page to receive

§         Video                     1.00 per video (on 2 day loan)

Sending A Fax

Place papers in fax machine face down.  You do not have to pick up the receiver to call. Dial number press start.  If this does not work, pick up the receiver and call the number wait for the beep and press start.   NOTE: If pages have been stapled they have a tendency to stick together.  Separate pages before sending.