Memorial Library ends an era: no more print overdue notices
by Catherine Cox
On April 16, staff at the Memorial Library Circulation Desk closed the book on due date receipts when they handed out their last one. And next month, they will stop sending printed overdue notices.
In addition to ending automatic printed due date receipts and overdue notices, Memorial Library staff also hope to stop putting pockets in the backs of books.
Paper notices will continue to go out regarding holds and recalls.
The policy pursues the trend toward electronic management of information by encouraging library users to keep track of their accounts online. Users can check the status of their account in MadCat using the ‘My Library Account' service. Using this service, users can check due dates, renew any checked out materials, and check on any fees or fines they may owe.
There is, however, one exception to this new policy. Patrons who store their books in Memorial Library's lockers and carrels will continue to need paper receipts for those items.
By relying more heavily on electronic resources, staff members expect to see immediate savings in work time and supplies, and they hope to provide faster patron service. Usually five staff members and two students spent two to three days each semester generating and mailing paper overdue notices.
Tanner Wray, head of access services for the General Library System, says patrons can expect faster service because they do not have to wait while receipts are printed and placed in the pocket of each book.
In addition to a faster checkout for patrons, the library will save time by not having to remove the due date slips from books when they are returned.
Wray says library users have responded positively to the change. Those who prefer to take a due date receipt home with them, however, can still request one at the time of checkout.
Some other campus libraries have also stopped handing out receipts. Among them are the Center for Instructional Materials and Computing and the College Library Computer and Media Center. Several other campus libraries are considering not giving due date receipts.