New SLC borrowing policy and Reference staff

The new SLC borrowing policy (previously posted) is in full effect now. Circulation staff are aware of what how this affects them, however, Reference staff may not be.

Before, if a patron came up with a library card from CMPL, you would tell them to go to the circ desk and get a card from us. This is no longer the case.

From now on, the only people who will be issued a plastic library card with Chesterfield Township Library on to top of it, will be residents of Chesterfield Township. Period.

If a patron lives somewhere else, New Baltimore, Mt. Clemens, Clinton Twp, etc; they MUST go to their home library (where they live/pay taxes) and get a library card issued from there.

If their card is from one of the SLC/Sirsi libraries they are done. They can now use that card anywhere in SLC.

However, if they not a SLC/Sirsi library, then they need to bring their home library card in to a SLC/Sirsi library and that library card number will be entered into our Sirsi system. Now they can use that card at their home library and all the SLC/Sirsi libraries. (This is the same way we handle Michicard). (This could include, but not limited to: CMPL, soon TPL, St.Clair County, etc)

So, Reference staff will now have no idea, just by looking at the patron's card if it is usable in our Sirsi system or not. So if you get a non SLC/Sirsi card and are in doubt, I would recommend you scan the barcode through the display user wizard before you do anything else. If you get a "hit" you can use the card. If you get a "user not found" you can direct the patron to the circulation desk so that they can have their home library card entered into our system.

So...totally confused...Bottom Line: Ref can no longer just say "Nope, not that card" because you don't know just by looking at the physical card. You need to check the system and see if their card is good yet. If not, send them to circ.