[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Auto Renew Feature

[Diane Disbro]

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
ddisbro at scenicregional.org
[image: Image result for librarians rock]




On Tue, Nov 19, 2019 at 1:57 PM Geoff Sams <GSams at roanoketexas.com> 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 <
> 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
> <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>
> *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> 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> *On Behalf Of *Elizabeth
> Davis
> *Sent:* Monday, November 18, 2019 12:09 PM
> *To:* 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
>
> pronouns: she/her/hers
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
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>
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