Placing a Recall Request
The following describes the procedure, when a patron comes to the desk and requests a Recall on a book:
- Locate the item through the Novanet Catalogue, and confirm that it is a SMU item and that it is currently out on loan.
- Copy and paste the barcode into Aleph to see who currently has the item on loan. There have been occasions when a professor or graduate student has requested a Recall on a book that they currently have on loan themselves.
- Never tell the recalling patron who currently has the item (unless, of course, it is they themselves who have it).
- While in Aleph, check that the requestor is in good standing. We would not Recall an item for a patron who has a block on her account, as she would not be able to borrow it when it became available. Once any blocks are cleared, a Recall can be requested.
- Have the patron fill out the pink ‘Books on Recall’ slip.
- While the patron is still at the desk, verify all the information on the slip, to ensure we will be recalling the correct book:
- ‘Book Call Number’: verify that the call number matches what is listed in the system.
- ‘Author’: this must be written out in full (last name, first name and initial), as the same title can belong to several different authors (i.e. – the Novanet catalogue has three “Introduction to Sociology”, each written by a different author).
- ‘Title’: it is imperative that the title is written out in full (with sub-title), is legible and corresponds with the call number and author.
- The patron’s name is legible and written out in full.
- The barcode number contains the patron’s barcode or ID number.
- There is a phone number for future contact.
- There is a date specifying when the patron would no longer need the item.
- Turn the slip over to record the ‘Date Received’, so there is a point of reference as to when the Recall was requested.
- Sign/initial along the ‘By’ line. If any questions arise as the Recall staff member is processing the request, she will need to know who received the request.
- In the ‘Due Date’ field, record the date the requested item is due.
- Write any relevant notes in the ‘Notes’ field at the bottom of the slip.
Place the slip in the designated spot in the Circulation area. The Recall staff member will check this slot periodically throughout the day and the following morning when she is recording the ‘Manual Periodicals Statistics’.
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