2. CIRCULATION
• Circulation is the process by which a library system moves
materials through the system. These tasks include:
– Lending materials
– Checking in materials
– Processing fines/fees
– Shelving
– Troubleshooting Circulation technology
• Most library systems use automated library software to
accomplish this. HCPL uses Horizon.
3. BTypes
• The BType or “borrower” type is located in the
F6 or borrower record. Btypes indicate what
type of borrower has this record (A for Adult
and C for Child)
• Three HCPL branches use different Btypes,
CYF, FB, and TOM. They are (cyfa or cyfc, fba
or fbc and toma or tomc)
• There are additional Btypes, these are the most commonly used.
4. Btypes
• A customers BType affects what materials they
have access to.
• For example customers with a C (Child) BType
can not check out videos/DVDs.
– Customers with a CYFA Btype have access to
MCMLS materials.
5. Location
• The location is located in the F6 or borrower
record. This field indicates the home branch of
the patron and dictates where a customers
Request will automatically go.
6. Acceptable Identification and Who May
Register
•Anyone who lives in Harris County and the State Of Texas
may apply for a Harris County Public Library Card. All
residents have to do is show proof of mailing address and
fill out the library card registration form. Anyone under
the age of 18 just needs a parent/guardian signature to
receive a library card.
•People who live outside of Texas, but anywhere in the
United States, may apply for a Visitor card.
7. Checking Out
•Patrons may check out materials by presenting their
library card at the check out desk. If they don’t have
their card we can search for them by name using any
item from the acceptable identification list in the
registration policy.
•When you search by name, verify the address on the
identification matches the one on the account. If they
don’t match, use other means such as pin number,
mother’s maiden name or phone number to verify that
you have the right patron account.
9. •You can tell a lot from just exploring a patron’s borrower
record. You can find out pertinent information such as
last check out date, payment history, who is allowed to
pick up holds and other useful information that may be
needed.
• Every day we deal with many different situations that
come up with our patrons, most of these dealing with
problems such as fines and fees. Knowing how to
navigate the borrower record can help you solve any issue
that may present itself.
Borrower records: A closer look.
10. From this tab you can edit a patron’s
borrower record, look at requests,
history blocks, and find out the
payment history.
11. For more detailed information on Circulation Policies click
the link below.
http://harriet.hcpl.net/index.php?q=content/circulation-policies
