Some users have recently had trouble resetting their My Library Account pins, getting the following error message:
“Your pin is too long. Only the first 7 characters will be used.”
This problem only affects non-UC users – so ULANZ borrowers and subscription members.
Interestingly, the Reset Pin function allows our 8 digit barcode to be the pin but users cannot set up a longer pin themselves.
Users will now need to choose shorter pins. Subscription Users who have renewed their record may find this means they need to choose a new pin for their library account.
E-services have tweaked the Payment Plus program so we can now print receipts for fine and lost book payments. This is for those instances where a person may be paying fines or lost books charges on someone else’s library account (so an email going to the library account holder isn’t much use to them) or where they are an ex-student or staff member paying fines who no longer have access to the email address associated with their library account. Of course, a receipt can be printed for any user if that’s their preference.
A link will show up on the confirmation of payment page to a printable receipt. You simply click on this and it will open a new window with a receipt which can be printed off. You might like to print one the next time you process a fine payment so you can see what it looks like.
As of today, 7th April, the UC Warehouse team will resume delivering hampers to the Law Basement. Therefore, there is no longer any need for returns to the Law Basement to be sent via Central.
I want to remind everyone about two aspects of processing subscription membership applications at the Information Desk:
1. We currently offer the following fixed subscription terms: 1 month, 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, 6 months and 12 months. Applications for 6 months and 12 months receive a ‘discount’ on the usual monthly fee. This is detailed on the application form and on the library webpage. If you try and process an application for any term other than these, you won’t be able to take payment via Payment Plus. If somebody tries to apply for any variation on these terms, please advise that they must choose one of the fixed subscription terms.
2. We can still issue using the old ‘external membership’ red-topped cards, but we can’t set up/renew membership using the red-topped cards. They no longer function without complex finagling behind the scenes that still leaves people unable to access their library account. The only exception is ESR staff in 2014 (ie. next year ESR staff will all move to the new cards as well) due to a ‘brain fade’ on my part. Once members have their new card, they will not need to purchase another one if they renew their account.
E-Services have added “Publication Date” as a sort criteria on the pull lists (IBDS). This was to make it easier for the shelving team to find theses in the Warehouse, since they are organized by year. Publication Date can be unselected if you don’t wish to have this data showing up on your report.
Peter has tweaked the self-check machines with the following fixes:
1) Items are now blocked from being issued if they checked out to somebody else. (So students cannot pass hourly loans between themselves)
2) ULANZ barcodes are better accepted. There may still be some ULANZ barcodes that the machines struggle to read but the ones we have tested are working well.
There are a couple more fixes in the works for issues such as renewing books and reinstating the Error button when an item is not checked out properly.
Janette Winks has reported an inconsistency with the process for receiving payment of Financial Services Invoices for Lost Books/Fines (aka ‘Registry Invoices’). She receives a daily report of paid invoices and manually removes Horizon blocks on a daily basis. Lately, she has become aware that some (but not all) paid invoices are not appearing on that report. This means we are unaware the invoice has been paid unless the library borrower contacts us/tries to borrow.
This fault has been reported to IT. While we’re waiting for a fix, please give borrowers the benefit of the doubt if they say their invoice has been paid. You can override the blocks to issue.
Please make sure to report any such cases to Janette so she can follow up.
I am running one more training session on library membership for staff who’ve missed earlier sessions. This covers how to register subscription and special agreement members at the information desk and take payment for any subscription fees.
This will be held on Tuesday March 11 from 4-5pm in the EPS Level 1 Training Room.
I’ve sent out invites to the relevant CS staff members, but if any other staff would like to attend please let me know.
A number of staff mentioned they thought it would be useful to be able to retrieve Payment Plus receipts for Membership Fees. For example, if you accidentally shut the original receipt window and need to summon the receipt again to print it.
Margaret has edited the Payment Plus program so this is possible. You will notice on the Payment Plus ‘home’ screen that under the “Submit” button there is an option to “Show External Borrower Receipts”. Clicking on this page will take you to a new window where a drop down menu will list all borrower receipts by date of payment. You will be able to select the correct borrower and reprint their receipt.
People wishing to collect Canterbury Cards out of hours will still be able to do so while the Canterbury Card Office is based on Level 3 of the Central Library during enrolment. Students should be encouraged to come to Level 3 as the staff won’t want to be overwhelmed at night. However, new subscription (aka external) library borrowers will be able to collect them after 5pm and should be encouraged to do so given the queues here at Central.
