| Patron Handbook |
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| Books |
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Q. How long may I keep the books I borrow?
A. The loan period for books is six weeks. Magazines that circulate to and from TBABS are to be returned in two weeks. Magazines that do not have a reversible return label in a plastic slot are yours to keep.
A complete copy of the loan policy is included in Section VI of this handbook. Please read it carefully.
Q. How do I return books?
A. All library materials are mailed in containers with plastic slots in which a 3" x 5" reversible address card has been placed. Your address is on one side of the card, and the Library’s is on the other.
To send books back to us, remove the card from the slot and flip it over. To ensure the Library’s address is showing, check the card. One corner has a hole punched in the card. When the corner with the hole punched in it is at the upper left side, the Library’s address is showing. Reinsert the card into the plastic slot.
Q. Should I send books back one at a time or all in one batch?
A. The system works best if you can mail back books to TBABS one at a time within the loan period as you finish reading them. TBABS mails books to you on a one-for-one replacement basis. By sending books back to TBABS as you finish them, you create a circular flow of books to and from the Library rather than sending materials in large amounts and having long waiting periods between mailings
Q. How can I make book selections?
A. The best way to get books that you want to read is to request specific books. In the initial packet of information you receive from us, there is a catalog. This catalog lists many of the newer titles available from the Library.
There is an order form in the back that can be checked and mailed to us. You may also write a letter listing the requests you have. You may call in your selections if you request no more than 12 books at a time. Book orders may also be sent by email to tbabs@oslmac.state.or.us or faxto 503-588-7119.
Library users may call TBABS to ask for specific titles, books on a particular subject, or books by a specific author. If you want to know if we have a certain title, then call and ask. If it is in our collection, we will add the title to your request list, or search other sources for a possible interlibrary loan.
Every two months, you will receive an update to your catalog called Talking Book Topics or Braille Book Review. It lists all the new titles produced in that two-month period. Use any of the ordering procedures as described above.
We also have several older title and subject catalogs. A list of them is available upon request. All catalogs you receive are yours to keep and they do not need to be returned to TBABS.
Internet users can access the TBABS online catalog at the following web address;
http://tbabs.osl.state.or.us/catalog/
To order books from the Internet site, call TBABS and request a User ID and Password to log in to the online catalog. The site has extensive Help files (link located at the bottom of the page) to assist patrons in using the online catalog to its fullest extent.
The online catalog will not allow you to order books in a medium for which you are not active. For example, a cassette-only reader may not order a Braille book.
Patrons may also access the NLS Catalog through the following web address: http://www.loc.gov/nls.
Q. How does the Library assist me in making book selections?
A. TBABS provides different types of reading services. The most common types of service are: Nightly AutoSelect Service, Nightly Request Only Service, and On Demand Only Service. We also have other types of service available based on your reading requirements. The type of service you choose will determine the level of assistance needed in making your selections.
Regardless of the type of service you are set up to receive, you may, at anytime, call the library and ask for specific titles, books on a particular subject, or books by a specific author.
Nightly AutoSelect Service
Patrons get the fastest service available using an option called Nightly AutoSelect Service. This is a completely automated selection process.
Each night the computer reviews the number of books a patron has checked out. If the patron has not reached the “maximum” number of books they requested, the computer will send books to the patron until the “maximum” is reached.
The computer first checks the request list and sends a specified number of books from the list that is available. If requests are not available, the computer then checks for books by authors TBABS has been informed that the patron likes. If no books by a patron’s favorite authors are available, the computer then selects books using the subject and genre preferences TBABS has been informed the patron likes. This service can be tailored at any time by calling TBABS and asking to add, or exclude authors or subjects, or increase or decrease your “maximum”. Patrons can ask for Nightly AutoSelect Service by calling TBABS.
Nightly Request Only Service
Patrons who only want books they specifically request like the option called Nightly Request Only Service. This is an automated service that selects only those books on the patron request listor author preference list. Each night the computer reviews the number of books a patron has out. If the patron has not reached the “maximum” number of books they are set up to receive, the computer will send books to the patron from their request list until the “maximum” is reached. If a patron’s request list does not have any books in it, the patron will not receive any books. With theNightly Request Only Serviceit is important to remember to provide TBABS with an ample supply of requests (25-50) that you would like to receive.To receive service in this manner, call TBABS.
On Demand Only Service
Patrons who only want books at particular times may wish to select the option of On Demand Only Service. Books will only be sent when the patron calls the library for books. Please remember you must borrow a book or magazine at least once a year in order to keep your cassette player on extended loan.
Magazine Services Only
Patrons who wish to receive only National Library Service magazine subscriptions would select this service option. This service selection is tailored to those who do not want to avail themselves of books, but wish to receive popular magazines like National Geographic, U.S. News and World Report, Redbook, and True West. If you wish to receive Magazine Services Only, please call TBABS.
To request a catalog of available magazines in Braille and cassette, please contact your TBABS representative and request the Magazines in Special Media catalog.
Remember to call if you would like to change the type of service or the types of books you are receiving.
Q. How long will it take for me to get new books?
A. The time will vary. The computer will usually send you another book the next day after the returned book is checked in. If you have Nightly AutoSelect service and have plenty of requests on file, your chances of the computer finding something of interest to you are greater.
Q. What do I do if I am not receiving materials that you send?
A. Check with your local post office. They may be holding the materials there. If not, call us and verify that we have your correct address.
Q. What do I do if I am getting too many or too few books?
A. TBABS automatically establishes a minimum and maximum range of books that are sent out for you to receive. 2-6 books at a time is the average for most patrons. If this is unsuitable for your reading needs, please call TBABS and ask to change the minimum and/or maximum numbers of books you receive.
Q. What is the difference between requests and reserves?
A. Requests are titles that you have asked to receive, whether by phone, letter, or order form. When we receive requests, we add them to a special file, which is reviewed each time we send books to you. If the request is available at that time, then we send it. If not, we will wait until the next time we send books to you to see if the title is available. Reserves are a special form of requests. When the reserved title becomes available, it is automatically sent to the patron. However, if another TBABS patron reserved the title prior to you, the title will be sent to them first. Reserved titles are sent to patrons in the chronological order in which the reserve was made.
The Reserve preference is given to patrons who need a replacement copy of a defective book, a student who needs the book for school, or a patron who must have the title for a book club reading discussion group. If you have an urgent need to receive a title, please ask about a reserve.
Q. When requesting books using the catalogs, what do the letters and numbers mean?
A. Our books are coded and numbered to convey format and location. The letters indicate format, and the numbers tell us where the book is located in our storage area. All our books are stored in numerical order. The letter codes are explained below:
- RC = Recorded Cassette Tapes
- CBX = Tape materials which are produced by sources other than the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. These would include commercial, local, and volunteer-produced titles.
- BR = Braille materials which are produced by NLS.
Q. What do I do if I am not receiving books that I like?
A. There are several things you can do.
1. Send more requests. You are the best judge of the things you like to read. The more requests you send us, the more likely it is that we can fill that request and send you something you truly want.
2. Order more catalogs. The bimonthly catalogs you receive list only newer titles. We have older title catalogs and subject catalogs available upon request. You can get a list of these by calling TBABS.
Internet users may see what titles are available by using the TBABS online catalog, available through the Oregon State Library’s Talking Book and Braille Services web site at http://www.tbabs.org or access the catalog directly at http://tbabs.osl.state.or.us/catalog/
3. Call TBABS. A Readers Advisor will look at your computer file when you call. The computer file shows what you like and don't like. We can update your reading interests or specific instructions concerning your TBABS service by adding or changing special computer codes that describe your reading interests or by making notes in your file.
You may review any exclusion codes in your file to see if they are necessary. Many people tell us they don't want to receive any books with descriptions of sex, violence, or strong language. If you tell us this, we code your computer file, and the computer will not allow us to send anything that has any of these objections in it -- including many bestsellers that frequently contain at least a small amount of these items. (The only exception to this is the patron requestor Author preference list. If you ask to read a specific title that includes one of the mentioned objectionable items, then we will send it to you.) If you feel that you can tolerate some descriptions of sex, violence or strong language, then we can remove the exclusion codes from your file, and there will be more title selections from which we can choose.
4. Recheck your order form when you mail it. Be sure that you have marked the correct order number.
5. Put your name and address on your request forms and letters. We may receive your requests, but if your name isn't on the form, then we don't know whose requests they are. Likewise, we have many patrons with the same names. The only way to distinguish between them is by address. Be sure that you include your name and address on ALL correspondence.
6. Be sure to send your requests and all correspondence to our address in Salem. DO NOT send requests to CMLS in Florida or to the National Library Service in Washington, D. C. They will simply forward the information to TBABS therefore delaying your request.
Our address is: Talking Book and Braille Services, Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE., Salem, OR 97301-3950.
Keep in contact with us. Unless we are aware that you do not like the books you receive, we assume that you are satisfied.
Q. What can I do if a book I really need/want is not available?
A. There are three options available to you. They are described below.
1. Reserves
If the book you need is in the TBABS collection, but no copies are available, ask for the book to be placed on reserve for you. This places you on a special waiting list to automatically receive the book as copies are returned. It works just as reserves work at your local public library; the first person on the list gets the first available copy.
2. InterlibraryLoan
If the book you need is in the TBABS collection but no copies are available, and you have an urgent need for the book, ask TBABS to interlibrary loan a copy for you. Additional copies of most NLS produced books are housed at a central location called a Multistate Center. TBABS can request one of those copies be sent to you if needed.
(NOTE: Interlibrary loan through the library is not possible for certain media types.)
Some titles are not in the Oregon library collection, but may be available through interlibrary loan from another NLS network library. TBABS can check the NLS Catalog to determine if a title is available for interlibrary loan. Patrons may also check the NLS Catalog at the following web address:http://www.loc.gov/nls/ Call TBABS if you wish to order a book through interlibrary loan.
3. Call your local library
Check with your local library for availability of the requested book. Your local library may have the book in audio format or in large print format.
Referrals to Other Sources
Some titles may not be available through TBABS or another LBPH, but we may be able to direct you to another source for borrowing or buying the title.
Q. How can I change the format I read or add a new format?
A. Simply call TBABS. We can work with you to make any service adjustments so that you get the types of materials you want.
Q. What do I do if I receive incomplete materials?
A. Remember, each tape has four sides. If you are using a standard C1 cassette machine, you must play each tape twice. Rock the side selector switch to the left and play both sides of the tape like a regular tape to hear sides 1 and 2. Then rock the side selector switch to the right and play both sides of the same tape again. This time you will hear Sides 3 and 4. The tapes are numbered 1,5,9, and so on, indicating each tape has four sides. Commercial cassettes with CBX prefix are 2-sided only. They play like standard cassettes you would purchase.
If you have followed these instructions and part of the materials are still missing, please mark the return-mailing card Defective. Call us only if you would like another copy.
Q. What happens if I receive damaged materials?
A. If you receive a damaged cassette, remove it from the machine, but do NOT rewind it. Place the damaged tape upside down in the book container, print/braille side down. Return it to the mailing container and mark Defective on the return-mailing card. This will notify us that there is a damaged cassette inside the container and we will remove it from the collection.
(Please DO NOT place a rubber band, twist tie, or string on the outside of the container. These will jam in Post Office equipment.)
If you need another copy of the book, please call and let us know. We do not automatically send you another copy when a book is returned damaged.
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