[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Auto Renew Feature
Chris Maas
chrism at roadrunner.com
Thu Nov 21 11:37:20 EST 2019
Thanks. Can you show us exactly how to set that up?
_________
Chris Maas
(207) 924-4553
On Thu, Nov 21, 2019 at 11:30 AM Elizabeth Davis <edavis at albright.org>
wrote:
> This has been so helpful. Thank you everyone.
>
>
>
> I’m setting up testing today and the only thing I’m not see is how to set
> when the auto renew happens. I’m assuming that’s in the circulation policy?
>
>
>
> Elizabeth
>
>
>
> *From:* Open-ils-general [mailto:
> open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org] *On Behalf Of *Morgan,
> Michele
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 21, 2019 11:19 AM
> *To:* Evergreen Discussion Group <
> open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Auto Renew Feature
>
>
>
> This is a great discussion!
>
> Thought I'd share how we implemented autorenewals in NOBLE:
>
> A Library can opt in to autorenewal. Only their own items checked out at
> their own library will be autorenewable. Network transfers are not
> autorenewable.
>
> Autorenewal processing happens the morning the items are due so patrons
> don't lose any time from their loan period.
>
> Our autorenewal action trigger uses a custom filter so that it only runs
> for the libraries who have opted in, and does not attempt to process
> autorenewals for checkouts that are not renewable at all.
>
> When a library opts in, and chooses a start date, we adjust their duration
> rules to set the number of allowed autorenewals equal to the number of
> allowed renewals. If a duration rule has zero allowed renewals, we don't
> set a value for allowed autorenewals. This allows the action trigger filter
> mentioned above the skip them.
>
> To avoid the transition issue with new checkouts vs. existing checkouts,
> we update open circulations for the opting in library which are due on the
> start date and beyond to set the autorenewal remaining field equal to the
> renewal remaining field. In that way, items that were checked out prior to
> the rule change will be eligible to autorenew.
>
> Feedback has been positive, though we have adjusted the notice language a
> few times to make it less confusing.
>
> Hope this is helpful!
>
> -Michele
>
> --
>
> Michele M. Morgan, Technical Support Analyst
>
> North of Boston Library Exchange, Danvers Massachusetts
>
> mmorgan at noblenet.org
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Nov 21, 2019 at 9:52 AM Forrest, Stuart <sforrest at bcgov.net>
> wrote:
>
> Hi
>
>
>
> We are a library system that is part of a consortium (SCLENDS) and at the
> moment the only system that is using auto-renewal and this is what we have
> found so far.
>
>
>
> 1. The three-day notice will still go out reminding patrons
> there books are due. (Our patrons see this as just a reminder)
>
> 2. Auto-renewal happens 1 day before the books are due and
> the appropriate auto-renewal notice goes out then.
>
> 3. An item won’t auto-renew if one of the following is true.
>
> a. The item is required for a hold
>
> b. Patrons' account has expired while they had the item
> checked out
>
> c. Fines have reached the maximum allowed
>
> d. Maximum auto-renewals have been reached.
>
> 4. The auto-renewal notice will give a reason if the
> process failed referencing those case for example mentioned above.
>
> 5. Let's say you pick a start date of 1st of December then
> anything that is checked out before this date will NOT auto-renew. Anything
> checked out on or after this date WILL. Eventually, of course, all items
> will auto-renew, we worked out that should take about 9 weeks from the
> start date.
>
> 6. We decided to have the same amount of auto-renewals as
> hard renewals to avoid less confusion for the patrons.
>
> 7. If you have any items that checkout for less than 8
> hours and have 0 renewals this can confusing, but Equinox found a
> workaround for us.
>
> 8. If a patron from say Beaufort (BCL) comes to Calhoun and
> checks out a book at one of your libraries, that book will auto-renew also.
> On the other hand, if you transit an item to an SCLENDS member who is not
> doing auto-renewals that item will not auto-renew.
>
>
>
> If you have any questions, please let me know.
>
>
>
> Stuart
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Stuart Forrest, Library IT Manager/Analyst Beaufort County Library System
>
> 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC 29902
>
> 843 255 6450
>
> sforrest at bcgov.net
>
> beaufortcountylibrary.org
>
>
>
> *From:* Open-ils-general <
> open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org> *On Behalf Of *Diane
> Disbro
> *Sent:* Thursday, November 21, 2019 9:39 AM
> *To:* Evergreen Discussion Group <
> open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Auto Renew Feature
>
>
>
> [EXTERNAL EMAIL] Please report any suspicious attachments, links, or
> requests for sensitive information to the Beaufort County IT Division at
> helpdesk at bcgov.net or to 843-255-7000.
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
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