Week 3

This week I spent some time with the folks in Access Services, where I was able to observe inter-library loan and the circulation desk.  Observing ILL really helped me build on what I learned last week in acquisitions and expanded my understanding of the work that is done in technical services.  Since much of the general collection is not in circulation due to the renovation, many materials are currently provided to students through ILL.  There is a traditional ILL service, E-ZBorrow, which allows students to borrow books from other libraries in the region and across the country.  The E-ZBorrow process is easy and convenient for library patrons - they submit a request, and when the item comes in, they receive a notice that the item is available for pick up at the circulation desk.  Little do patrons know that behind that simple service is a team of library staff and student workers who identify other institutions willing to lend materials to Millersville patrons; send, review and accept requests; manage the costs affiliated with the ILL process; receive incoming materials; and notify patrons when materials are available.  The Request It service provides electronic materials to patrons, such as journal articles and sections of books.  Library staff and student workers follow a similar process for finding and obtaining electronic materials, and ensure that clean, easily readable copies of electronic materials are delivered to patrons' accounts.  Additionally, I had the opportunity to see how course reserve materials are made available to patrons through Ares.

The most impressive aspect of circulation operations are the detailed manuals and guides that the library staff have created.  Every task that library staff or student workers need to do in the ILS has been explained in detail these manuals, and manuals are always at hand in both paper and electronic versions.  With so many student workers helping with the day-to-day operations of the library, and with these workers coming and going each semester or academic year, it is very important to have clear, accurate and easy to understand instructions for employees to reference when they have to complete a new or unfamiliar task.  The manuals help ensure that every worker is on the same page for every task, that errors are not made that will create more problems further along in the process, and that patrons are served in a flawless and professional manner.

Last week I saw how Gobi and Voyager are used in the acquisitions process, and this week I saw how ILLiad is used in the ILL process, how Voyager is used in the circulation process, and how Ares is used in the e-reserves process.  Having the experience of seeing these programs at work and how they facilitate library operations is extremely helping in fleshing out what I am learning in my technical services seminar this semester.  I now have a better understanding of the work flows for the acquisitions, circulation, ILL and course reserves processes.  Additionally, I now have a better understanding of the decisions that librarians need to make in budgeting, copyright policies and fees, and circulation policies, and how important it is to carefully balance all of the factors involved while still providing the highest level of service to the university community.

Later in the week I began to organize subscription cost data for a statistical report that the library will need to submit, which helped me to further understand the costs involved in serving the university community.  I also worked on a special project that will be unveiled later this week - more on that in my next post!