Hi, Roslyn. If I haven't already created an account for the patron -- for example, I've already done that for the students in our Hebrew School classes, who are our primary users -- I will create the account the first time someone checks out a book. The only computer in the library is the one on my desk and I don't provide self-checkout. If they're in the library and I'm there, I'll physically scan the barcode and check out the book. If they want something and I'm not there, they fill out a manual checkout form that is always on a clipboard on my desk and I check it out to them next time I'm in. I also encourage people to take a picture of the cover and the library barcode and send them to me if they want a book from a display case down the hall; then I'll get their information by text or email, enter it, and check out the item remotely.
I don't create library cards or even date due slips. I used to have date due slips when I started but it was clear that no one was paying attention to them. It's a two-week loan and I don't charge overdue fines. One of the issues with my library is that I'm only there two or three times a week (when Hebrew School is in session), so I try hard to bring the library to the congregation via book tables at various programs and events. That also means that most of my communication with library users is via email, and my being able to access the catalog remotely ensures that they get pretty good service even though I'm not onsite all the time. I encourage people to use the online catalog to see what we have, but I don't think they do. It sounds like your library is probably a lot more active than mine, so my solutions will likely not work for you. I have found the OPALS staff to be very helpful and responsive, so I wouldn't hesitate to contact them with these types of questions too -- they will be familiar with the ways in which many of their customers are using the system. Best, Annette Annette Y Goldsmith, PhD (she/her/hers) Part-time Faculty, Kent State University iSchool Guest Faculty, University of Washington iSchool Librarian, Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel, Los Angeles Member, 2024-2025 Sydney Taylor Book Award Committee On Mon, Feb 26, 2024 at 4:09 PM Roslyn Vanderbilt via Hasafran < hasafran@lists.osu.edu> wrote: > We are in the process of putting our library online using Opals. > Wondering how synagogue libraries with approx 400+ members do book check > out. > Can borrowers/congregants somehow just type their name on the computer > screen as Opals seems to suggest or do you issue barcodes on cards or some > other way? > Much appreciate hearing how various congregations manage this. > > Roslyn Vanderbilt > The Jewish Center of Princeton > > > > Sent from my iPad > __ > Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual > author > and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries > (AJL) > ================================== > Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: > Hasafran@lists.osu.edu > To join Ha-Safran, update or change your subscription, etc. - click here: > https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran > Questions, problems, complaints, compliments send to: galro...@osu.edu > Ha-Safran Archives: > Current: > https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran*40lists.osu.edu/maillist.html__;JQ!!KGKeukY!1stZJ_W54TOGYXeKo3XiY_upOWSsz98eJ6m1oj9EHwMMNZtZVEano3y2BY0CJkLNkRrclUh47_1MDiBivMDLRWaIWEbL$ > > Earlier Listserver: > https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran*40lists.osu.edu/maillist.html__;JQ!!KGKeukY!1stZJ_W54TOGYXeKo3XiY_upOWSsz98eJ6m1oj9EHwMMNZtZVEano3y2BY0CJkLNkRrclUh47_1MDiBivMDLRWaIWEbL$ > > AJL HomePage > https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://www.JewishLibraries.org__;!!KGKeukY!1stZJ_W54TOGYXeKo3XiY_upOWSsz98eJ6m1oj9EHwMMNZtZVEano3y2BY0CJkLNkRrclUh47_1MDiBivMDLRYcGcYSr$ > > -- > Hasafran mailing list > Hasafran@lists.osu.edu > https://lists.osu.edu/mailman/listinfo/hasafran >
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