[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Auto Renew Feature

[Aubrey Area Library]

I just reread your question. The circulation duration rules control how
many times the item can auto renew. To turn it on is in the in the
Notifications/Actions Triggers tab under Local Administration. Should be
triggers for Autorenew and the notification, AutorenewNotify, that you can
clone.

Apologies for the back-to-back messages.

On Thu, Nov 21, 2019 at 10:39 AM Aubrey Area Library <
aubreyarealibrary at gmail.com> wrote:

> Haha Wong picture.
>
> On Thu, Nov 21, 2019 at 10:38 AM Aubrey Area Library <
> aubreyarealibrary at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Elizabeth
>>
>> You need to create new circulation duration rules and then change the
>> circulation policies. Attached is a photo of on of our duration rules.
>>
>> On Thu, Nov 21, 2019 at 10:31 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
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> 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
>>
>>
>>
>
> --
>
> 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
>
>
>

-- 

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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