The Form
The Status Check forms are green slips that can be found with various other forms at the Circulation Desk.
In order to complete the form, staff should first check the Novanet catalogue to confirm the status of the item:
To fill out a Status Check form:
In order to complete the form, staff should first check the Novanet catalogue to confirm the status of the item:
- Is it 'In Cataloguing' or 'In Processing'?
- Is it a SMU item? (We do not do status checks for other universities)
To fill out a Status Check form:
- You need the title and author of the item. Search Novanet and make sure it is a SMU book. Click on the link to the SMU book.
- We do accept requests for Status Check forms over the telephone. Be sure to gather complete information (check the book record and patron record to ensure accuracy) while the patron is still on the phone with you, in case of any problems.
Note the status of the book:
If the item is 'On Order', this means the item has been ordered, but not yet received by the Acquisitions Department. It could be days or weeks before it arrives; we have no way of knowing. Inform the patron, as he may choose an alternate route such as Novanet Express.
- If the item is 'In Cataloguing', the Acquisitions department has received the book, barcoded it, and passed it along to the Cataloguing department, but it has yet to be catalogued.
- If the item is 'In Processing', the item has been catalogued, but still needs to be end-processed.
- Once Cataloguing has received the request, the book can usually be processed within 24 hours.
- Having the correct Item Status will make it easier for Cataloguing to find the item.
If the item is 'On Order', this means the item has been ordered, but not yet received by the Acquisitions Department. It could be days or weeks before it arrives; we have no way of knowing. Inform the patron, as he may choose an alternate route such as Novanet Express.
- Record the patron's information on the form, including name, phone number(s), barcode or ID number, and email address.
- You must date and initial the request.
- The form also requires you to input who the item was 'Last Handled By'. This is where you input the name of the last staff member to handle the item, and the date it was last handled.
- You can also add any additional comments, such as if the patron will no longer need the book after a certain date, etc.
- Once the form is complete, bring it to the designated staff member in the Cataloguing department.
To determine the last person to handle the book:
- Enter the barcode into Aleph under the Item tab.
- Click on the 'History' nodule, within the Item node.
- Click on the 'Item Changes' tab. This will show who last handled the item and the date. Record this information on the Status Check form.