Message from Karla Palichuk, YRL Director.
Good afternoon,
This update includes information on:
- Polaris considerations when offering curbside services
- REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) project update: Material testing underway
Polaris considerations when offering curbside services
- While many libraries are offering curbside services and the van delivery system is starting to move materials around, the ability to place holds in TRACpac for YRL libraries will not be activated yet. This is one way we are “flattening the curve” of materials moving around in the initial stages of reopening. Considerations include:
- The majority of libraries are not fulfilling holds from other locations, regardless of what region they are in. Some regions are not yet doing deliveries between all their libraries, and government courier is not yet operational.
- Holds that are placed, go to pending and then are ignored long term, can become problematic to the holds routing setup in Polaris.
- We have to be very considerate of the capacity of our van deliveries. At present, YRL van deliveries are more about moving material that has been returned and providing libraries with their new materials.
- Reducing the impact on libraries when they reopen as well as limit the volume of materials coming through all sites, including YRL HQ. All the materials that were checked out are going to be returned, likely quickly, and must be quarantined for 3-5 days minimum. Bins and storage space is going to be at a premium.
- Despite the hiatus of patrons being able to place holds in TRACpac, library staff are still able to place item-specific holds on their own materials in Polaris/Leap and be able to identify it in Request Manager (just switch the By field to Pickup and Status to Active). When you check the items out, they will take the regular loan period, so if you’re looking to go longer or shorter, make sure to choose a Special Loan Period date.
- One thing you’ll need to consider is whether you want email, phone and text message notifications turned on; they are currently turned off. That’s going to include hold notices, but also almost overdue reminders, overdue notices, patron expiration reminders, etc. For more information or to turn your notifications on, email Stephanie at sthero@yrl.ab.ca.
- Contact Stephanie if you have any Polaris-related questions about curbside services.
REALM project update: Material testing underway
- Five items commonly found in public libraries have been selected for initial lab testing to determine the length of time the COVID-19 virus may live on the surface of these materials. Testing began May 13 using materials provided to Battelle by Columbus Metropolitan Library, and the results of this first round are expected to be released mid-June.
- For more information on this first round of testing and other activities, visit the “Happening Now” project update page. For more on the scope, timeline, and committees involved with the REALM project, visit oc.lc/realm-project.
You can follow YRL on Facebook and Twitter and our updates are posted on the YRL Blog.
Thank you!
Karla
Karla Palichuk
Director
Yellowhead Regional Library
kpalichuk@yrl.ab.ca
780.962.2003 x226 | www.yrl.ab.ca
Strong Libraries—Strong Communities
