Un-Barcoded Periodicals (Journals)
Checking out un-barcoded periodicals is a different process that signing out those with barcodes. Before performing any task for a patron you must first scan their ID card in ALEPH to check for any fines or blocks. Then, if you are unable to locate a barcode on the inside of the back cover of the journal, try checking a few of the previous pages. If you still cannot find a barcode to scan, you must obtain a white, 'Periodical Check-Out Form' to sign the item out manually:
- Have the patron fill out one form for each un-barcoded journal.
- The form is self-explanatory. The patron's information goes in the section on the lower right-hand side of the form, and the journal information goes in the top box.
Please make sure each section is filled out completely and neatly:
- Check the information on the card as to title, volume, month, day, and year. Make sure that all information is correct, with absolutely no abbreviations except where the title is an abbreviation.
- Check that the patron's information on the side of the card is complete and legible.
- If the information is incomplete, verify and correct it before proceeding.
Please note: pay special attention to the title, volume, and year; this is where most mistakes occur. The black L (called an Index Mark) on the front cover of an unbound periodical indicates the correct title. Often titles of articles are sometimes mistakenly entered instead of the journal title.
Please note: not all periodicals have a month, day, volume, number, or a year, so the absence of this information may not be a mistake. Checking the table of contents is often a good means to verify missing information.
Staff fill out the 'Date Due' box and initial in the 'Staff' box.
If the patron has several un-barcoded items to sign out, you can help by filling out some of the forms yourself. Please do so only if other staff members are at the Circulation desk to aid other patrons.
The loan period for all journals is seven days, no matter what status the patron has (Undergraduate, Graduate, Faculty, etc.). Manually record the due date and place the slip like a bookmark in the Document and desensitize the item. Advise the patron of the seven-day due date.
- Always inform the patron of the seven-day loan period when handing over checked out journals.
- Do not interfile the forms with the other forms that are filed alphabetically. The current day check-outs are counted the next morning for the daily statistics before they are filed with the others.
If an item is signed out and returned on the same day, make a diagonal line across the card. Place it in the slot to be counted for statistics.
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