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Student Employees Training Guide: Circulation

A guide to assist in the training of student employees

What does circulation mean?

Circulation is the flow of materials in and out of the library. As a library assistant, you will work closely with the library's circulation department. 

Circulation Policies

To view the library's Circulation Policies and Procedures, you can click here. A policy I want to share with you regards patron privacy.

After every transaction you complete at the circulation desk, it is important that we close the patron's record. These keeps their information private. We do not discuss a patron's account with others. This includes demographic information, what they have borrowed, or their fines. You may only discuss this information with the patron or a staff member if you have questions or a problem arises. 

Circulation Procedures

We will discuss how to check out and check in borrowed materials extensively in person but here are some tips.

Check-out:

  • Make sure you are under the circulation tab and then assist patrons tab
  • Scan their SU card or enter their name/ID number
  • Scan the item barcode
  • Desensitize the item
  • Tell the patron the due date, send the receipt email, and hand them the item

Check- in:

  • Select check in
  • Scan the barcode
  • Sensitize the item
  • Place the item on the correct shelving cart in LC order

Fulfill Holds:

  • Click Reports, then Pull List to look for books on hold
  • Retrieve the book
  • Scan the barcode under Check In
  • Make sure the "Action" column says "Hold"
  • Write the patron's name (Last name, First name) on a piece of scrap paper
  • Put the scrap paper in the book and place it on the hold shelf in alphabetical order by patron's last name
  • Combine multiple books for the same person with a rubber band

Digby App

We have a circulation iPad. It is used for a variety of functions. It contains the Digby app, which allows us to pull holds for patrons and do non-loan returns. Don't worry, we will discuss all of this in person and you will have the opportunity to practice using Digby.