I really appreciate this discussion! I want anecdotal information to share with my administration as we consider auto renewal.
Thank you. Diane Disbro Pronouns: she/her Branch Manager/Circulation Coordinator Union Branch Scenic Regional Library 251 Union Plaza Drive Union, MO 63084 (636) 583-3224 [email protected] [image: Image result for librarians rock] On Tue, Nov 19, 2019 at 1:57 PM Geoff Sams <[email protected]> wrote: > I would like to add that if you currently send out pre-due notices that > it’s probably ideal to stop those as the auto-renew notifications serve the > same purpose in general. Jordan touched on that briefly there, but it was > something we dealt with as well and I wanted to state it outright since it > could be overlooked. > > > > Thanks, > > Geoff Sams > > Library Manager > > Roanoke Public Library > > 817-491-2691 > > > > *From:* Open-ils-general < > [email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Elizabeth > Davis > *Sent:* Tuesday, November 19, 2019 11:37 AM > *To:* Evergreen Discussion Group < > [email protected]> > *Subject:* Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Auto Renew Feature > > > > Thank you both. This has given us more to talk about and consider. > > > > Elizabeth > > > > *From:* Open-ils-general [ > mailto:[email protected] > <[email protected]>] *On Behalf Of *Aubrey > Area Library > *Sent:* Tuesday, November 19, 2019 12:29 PM > *To:* Evergreen Discussion Group < > [email protected]> > *Subject:* Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Auto Renew Feature > > > > We also implemented auto renew in late February this year (we are also the > other library Geoff mentioned). It was a little rocky at first, being the > test library for implementation, but once we worked out the kinks it has > been smooth sailing. > > > > Overall patrons have been very happy with it though we did have one patron > that did not like the fact that the items renewed before their actual due > date. Yes, we are also the library Geoff mentioned whose items auto renew > before their due date. Thankfully it was resolved after speaking with the > patron and explaining renewals, how auto renewal works etc. I have started > looking at changes to this as I would prefer for the items to renew on > their due date. The setup is what it is due to how courtesy notices are set > up. > > > > Geoff mentioned the issues with generating notices. > > > > For patrons with no email/sms; we tend to just explain to patrons about > how auto renewal works if they ask about it. After a few times it sinks in > and they come to expect it. We do not require email address so, personally, > I look at it as if a patron does not want notifications from the library > that is their choice. Can't force it on them. > > > > We had already taken measures years ago to reduce fines (80% > reduction!!!!) so the impact that auto renewal has had is minuscule but as > it was mention if fines are a source of revenue auto renewal may not be a > good fit. > > > > I would echo Geoffs recommendations for implementation. It was something > that I overlooked and has been a thorn in my side since. Not only to give > patrons time to return items but also so you o not have a mess of notices > like we do. Simplicity. > > > > Thanks, > > Jordan Woodard > > Aubrey Area Library > > > > On Mon, Nov 18, 2019 at 3:56 PM Geoff Sams <[email protected]> wrote: > > We implemented auto renew back in March this year and things have gone > fairly smoothly with the implementation for my library. > > > > Generally, the patrons have been happy about it. We did have one > complaint that boiled down to a patron simply not wanting to be notified at > all, which was an interesting one for me, but that was certainly possible > to fix for us. > > > > The only rocky start part was getting our notices to generate properly. > The stock notice wording was a little too generic, so we made changes that > took a bit of work to get implemented properly. > > > > We don’t really have the email/sms issue, so I’m not sure what the best > course of action would be for that to be completely honest. I have some > ideas, but I’m not sure if any of them would be viable over the long run. > > > > This has drastically reduced fines here, for the moment. It’s not a > forever renewal process, so I do still see fines, but it has generally > decreased fines across the board. We don’t rely on fine income for > operation here, so this isn’t a giant issue for us, but if you do rely on > fine income I’d probably recommend against implementing such a process. > With that said, my staff spend a lot less time dealing with fine related > issues, and I believe it’s enough to have saved money in general. > > > > For implementation, I’d recommend one of two options for the sake of > making things reasonable. Either set the renewal to happen a few days > before the due date so that patrons have time to return materials that are > not renewed, or set the renewal on the due date but add a multi-day grace > period for the same reason. We renew on the due date and give patrons 3 > grace days to return the item to avoid fines. Another library in my > consortium renews the item 3 days before the due date instead. Both work, > but I think the important factor is allowing patrons the time to return > items. > > > > Thanks, > > Geoff Sams > > Library Manager > > Roanoke Public Library > > 817-491-2691 > > > > *From:* Open-ils-general < > [email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Elizabeth > Davis > *Sent:* Monday, November 18, 2019 12:09 PM > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Auto Renew Feature > > > > Hello Everyone, > > > > For those of you who are using the Auto Renew feature, how is it going? > What are the general impressions from patrons? Was it a rocky start? We > have some concerns about how staff deal with patrons who do not have email > or sms notification capabilities. How did you deal with this aspect? Any > unexpected financial impacts in terms of fine revenue? What are your > suggestions for those interested in implementing it? > > > > Thank you, > > > > > > Elizabeth Davis > > Head of Digital Services > > Scranton Public Library > > 500 Vine Street > > Scranton, PA 18509 > > Office 570-348-3000 ext. 3050 > > Cell 570-795-4332 > > [email protected] > > pronouns: she/her/hers > > > > > > > > > -- > > If you need further assistance, please contact the library at 940-365-9162 > or send a reply email. > Thank You, The Library Staff > > 226 Countryside Dr., Aubrey, TX 76227 > > >
