Page 176 - DLIS007_LIBRARY AUTOMATION

Unit 9: Library Automation in Circulation Section

The procedure of collecting overdue charges is either by issuing regular receipts or by Notes
keeping a conscience box for this purpose. The procedure depends on the library policy.
Considering the cost and time involved in issuing receipts some libraries prefer the
conscience box method. A conscience box is a method by which the defaulter puts the
amount of overdue charge in a locked box with a slit on top. The total collection for the
day is taken out and entered in the cash book of the library.
All these control activities of recall, fines, etc., can be more complicated if multiple copies,
multiple branches, multiple patrons, varied loan periods for different patron types, media
types are involved. All these activities are dependent upon the library’s ability to send
notices to users. The proper functioning of the notification process largely depends on
accurately maintained user registration files, clearly defined policies of loan periods and
fines and finally the response of the user to the notice itself.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
8. The main advantage of this system over the …………………… was that it kept the
circulation record together at the circulation counter instead of scattering throughout the
shelves.
9. First, identification cards were used, which were later substituted by …………………… on
which all book transactions were entered.
10. The application form may preferably be in a card form, so that the same is ……………………
filed to serve as an alphabetical registration record.
9.4 Basic Functions of Computerised Circulation Subsystem

Computerised circulation subsystems generally perform a group of functions utilising three
basic categories of information as a base. Apart from the issue and return provision, circulation
module performs the following functions:
To locate circulating:
Items on loan

Items reserved by user
Item at binding
Items being reprocessed
To identify items on loan to a:
particular borrower
specific/category class of borrowers

To record ‘personal reserves’ for items on loan but desired by another borrower and to
issue alerting notice to the library staff on return of the reserved item by a borrower;
To print recall notices for:
returning overdue items

renewing of items
To arrange renewal of loan
To notify to the library staff of overdue items and printing of overdue notices

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