Consortium of MnPALS Libraries Circulation Policy

Policy and Procedure Statement on Universal Recognition by PALS Libraries of Other PALS Libraries Borrower's Cards

October, 1986

1. All PALS libraries will recognize and use the patron identification cards of other PALS libraries.

• Implies ID is the barcode used to check out books.

• Some institutions must create new patron card/record.

2. The home library is defined as the library at the PALS participant institution. Patrons are defined as registered users and staff at PALS participant institutions. The PALS on-line circulation system will verify registration at the time of a circulation transaction.

• Some PALS libraries are not on CIRC subsystem.

3. The patron's home library assumes the responsibility for its patrons in terms of assistance in retrieving overdue materials, contacting delinquent patrons, and paying lost material charges, excluding any fine charges, which cannot be collected from its patrons.

• Not very feasible. Generally, patron goes to lending library, and often most assistance is given there.

• Overdue notices are also generated from lending library.

• Overdues can causes break in work flow for lending library in some instances i.e. libraries that are on electronic notification.

• Borrowing library may not be familiar w/lenders overdue policies.

4. Persons using a library other than their home library are expected to adhere to the policies and procedures of the library being used and will be considered "external" patrons at the library being used. In instances where priority is a factor in provision of service, priority will be given to the patrons and staff of the library being used.

• All libraries individually determine “external” privileges.

• #4 can essentially null all other points.

5. The overdue policies and procedures of the library being used will apply to any situations of overdue materials or other delinquent activity by a patron from another library.

6. The normal notice procedures of the library with an overdue will be followed. Contact with the patron's home library will be made if the overdue situation is not resolved by the end of the normal notice procedures.

• See #3, for both 5 & 6.

7. This statement becomes effective on September 1, 1986, and will be annually reviewed by the PALS Deans/Directors/Coordinators Executive Committee.

8. Procedural problems with implementation of this statement should be resolved between the libraries involved.

• Ultimately, CIRC group concurred that these were simply good as guidelines.

• As was pointed out at DDC/UC meeting, this was drafted when PALS was still primarily MNSCU institutions.Should this become simply the MNSCU Universal Recognition?

• PALS has added a wide assortment of libraries. What is their commitment to each other? Namely, since MINITEX has widely opened PALS libraries to each other, in an orderly, accountable manner.

• 2/8/02- All bulleted points were added by Dawn Pepper, CIRC User Group Convener. All statements are based on discussion at both the Fall, 2001 PALS User Group meeting, and the 1/16/02 DDC/UC meeting. Hopefully, they briefly, yet fairly, represent the bulk of discussion on the matter.