GIL Express suspension for winter break

Per email from Viki Timian (Head of Access Services, UGA):

The winter holidays are fast approaching and with that brings closings and the routine suspension of GIL Express Remote Requests. Based on the library closings:

The last day for GE Remote requests would be Tuesday 12/13 (suspend at 11:59pm) Allowing for a few days to process those requests, the last day for STAT deliveries/pickups would be Friday 12/16.

Patrons will still be able to do walk-up transactions during this time - only the request function in the UC will be unavailable.

We will resume GE Remote requests on Monday 1/2. Some schools will be closed this day but there will be requests in our Callslips to process the next morning. All schools are back in session on Tuesday 1/3 so that is when STAT deliveries/pickups will resume. (No Deliveries 12/19 - 1/2) For the latest iteration of the closed calendars through December please see http://gilexpress.usg.edu/staff/closed_dates_usg.html

A scrolling banner will be prepared and will appear in the Universal Catalog on 12/1 letting patrons know.

Items on Hold

Please note: When discharging intercampus and GIL Express items, please take time to read the routing slip that prints out. Every once in a while one will read "ROUTE ITEM FOR HOLD" instead of "ROUTE ITEM". These items do not go on the shelf in the Circ. workroom. Instead, please give these items to either Christine or me and we'll make sure that it is sent to the correct institution.


Thanks for all the hard work that you do for the Circ. Department! :)

Susan

GIL Express Patron Account

Attention Circ. Staff:

As most of you are aware, GIL Express items cannot be seen on a patron's account in Voyager. There is, however, a way to check to see what items they have out. I have placed a bookmark called GIL Patron Information on both circ. desk computers in the Firefox browsers (located at the top of the screen, underneath the address bar.) Simply click on that and it should route you to the GIL Express Patron Information page. Select the patron's home institution and enter their 900# to access their account information.

If you have any questions regarding the GIL Express Patron Accounts, please feel free to ask me and I'll try to answer your questions. Thanks!!!

Susan

PIN for logging in to My Account

Just FYI.

If you've gone onto the GIL Database you may or may not have noticed this new banner scrolling along the top:



It reads, "PIN access for 'My Account' begins January 6th. Your library account must have a valid email address to receive PIN. For more information click this message." The short version is that we will be implementing PINs for patrons of the library if they want to access their GIL account, also known as My Account.

The following excerpt from an email from Meryll Penson, Executive Director of Library Services for the USG better explains the entire situation:


Effective January 6, the USG libraries will begin a process to implement PINs for library patrons in addition to the user identification number. PINs are personal identification numbers. We are implementing this process to provide additional security and to comply with increasing federal and state regulations and policies related to privacy.

When a patron attempts to log in to their account, they will be prompted to obtain a PIN. A unique PIN has been assigned to each active account. Upon clicking on the prompt an email with that unique PIN will be immediately sent to the email address in the Voyager patron information record. The patron will have a pin and then will be encouraged to change the PIN to something that only that person will know. This will work similar to other internet services.

Initially it will be a change so users will likely have a moment of frustration, but hopefully once they have the PIN there will be few issues. If the patron does not have a valid email address, they will need to contact the Circulation Desk and provide a current email address. We know some community users may not have an email address, so you will need to assist them.


This is just a heads up of what is to be implemented within the first week of the new year. We'll keep you posted.

New Delivery Service for GIL Express

We will be transitioning over to a new delivery system for GIL Express (for items normally delivered via UPS). This will go into effect on October 12th. The company responsible for picking up and dropping off GIL Express items is STAT Courier. Clarkston Circulation's delivery man's name is Eddie...Say hi to him if you get the chance!

Alphabetical order

For a few weeks now, I've been taking a moment during periods of less activity to alphabetize the GIL Express and Intercampus books located on the shelf behind the circ desk. I've found this to be an effective way to reduce the time it takes to find a book for a patron.

So, if the traffic at the desk is really slow, I suggest that we each take a minute or two and check the alphabetical order of the GE and Intercampus books on the shelf.

GIL Express reminder

Regarding GIL Express:

"I've been asked by an esteemed colleague and GIL Express veteran to remind everyone to make sure you do not leave GIL Express-related paperwork in the books when you return the books, specifically paperwork that has patron-specific information on it like the hold slips and the routing slips as we need to be mindful of protecting patron privacy.

So when sending books back to the holding institution, make sure there is not hold slip or routing slip left in the books.

Thanks.

Thomas J. Frieling
Head, Access Services
University of Georgia Libraries
Athens, GA 30602
tfrielin@uga.edu
706-542-3256"

Date Due Slips for GE Books

Materials from other USG institution are processed differently than our own. We have just received a sytem-wide email from our sister institution that date due slips are being placed in their books creating damages when removed. Although this may not be occurring at our circulation desk, this is a reminder that borrowed items must be left as is. Thanks!