[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Auto Renew Feature

[Geoff Sams]

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 <open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org> On Behalf Of Elizabeth Davis
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2019 11:37 AM
To: Evergreen Discussion Group <open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org>
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:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org] On Behalf Of Aubrey Area Library
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2019 12:29 PM
To: Evergreen Discussion Group <open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org<mailto:open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org>>
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 <GSams at roanoketexas.com<mailto:GSams at roanoketexas.com>> 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 <open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org<mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org>> On Behalf Of Elizabeth Davis
Sent: Monday, November 18, 2019 12:09 PM
To: open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org<mailto:open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org>
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
edavis at albright.org<mailto:edavis at albright.org>
pronouns: she/her/hers




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