Friday, January 8, 2010

New Matas Check-out periods, Recalls and Holds for Books

LOOK FOR THE "Make a Request"
when a book you need is checked-out.

The Matas Library's has a new check-out policy for BOOKS that extends the loan period to 28 days or one month. The previous period was 3 weeks. In addition, a new feature in the online catalog is available for requesting Recalls and Holds for items that are checked out.

Recalls may be placed after a user has had an item for at least two weeks. The loan period is shortened and a notice is sent to the patron notifying them of the new due date. The user will have ten days to return the item to the library. After ten days the library charges $1.00 a day in overdue fines. Any patron with an outstanding recall will be blocked from library privileges until the item has been returned. Fines accrue to a maximum of $20. (So check your Tulane email and be sure the library has your correct address.)

The returned item will be held for the patron who has initiated the recall for five days. If the patron does not pick up the material in that period, it will be sent back to the stacks.

Items that are on reserve cannot be recalled or held for pick-up. Journals continue to have a two day check-out. Holds can be placed on items that are soon to fall due, or are overdue. When a hold is placed it will block other patrons from checking the item out or renewing their loan. A Hold does not change the original due date, but further renewals are not allowed.

With the new longer checkout period, no users will have a shorter loan period than three weeks. Users may also renew their library materials online. From the Library Catalog sign in to the "My Account" with your Library Barcode.

You may still call the desk to ask for assistance. Let the Library Staff know of problems or questions regarding online renewals, holds and recalls!