Circulation services

Introduction

Circulation services provided by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak to it all registered members.

Circulation is defined by Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary as “orderly movement through a circuit.” In a library, circulation is the orderly movement in the form of a process of lending books to borrowers and then accurately re-shelving them after they have been returned so that it can be retrieved by the next user. The circulation department in a library is the department assigned the responsibility for keeping that “orderly movement through a circuit” orderly, flowing, and complete. The department’s basic function is to facilitate and monitor the circulation of books from the regular collection. In addition, the department is usually responsible for circulating some books from other collections and for circulating non book materials. The reserve book operation, in which books are circulated from a closed collection for limited time periods, is also often assigned to the circulation department. The work of the circulation department includes a process of connecting people with things, especially books. The circulation department also has responsibility for the stacks, which constitute a significant portion of the library’s physical part. The primary function of the circulation department is to get materials to the readers expeditiously and the mechanism for circulation is a system which is designed to maximize the availability of books to all users, allowing each the greatest practicable use without causing other excessive delay; to supply other pertinent material when the desired book is not available in the library or is charged out. The circulation system should be easy for the users to use with accurate and highly current records, rapid in canceling records and returning books to shelves, reasonably flexible for non professional staff to operate, and inexpensive. Circulation philosophy of a library derives from the library’s mission and goals or from its governing body. Commonly, this philosophy involves guaranteeing to a library’s clientele equal and fair access to the library’s collection. Today this philosophy also includes a desire to deliver materials is expressed through the actions of staff and the existence of appropriate procedures. Today, circulation staff finds themselves with new formats aside from books, such as videos, CDs, laser discs, cassettes, and computer software. Libraries determine circulation policies and routines with the goal of providing maximum access to the materials. The circulation staff member sees his or her work through this ideal as it is expressed in library policies and individual attitudes .As the staff member becomes familiar with rules and regulations, the policy of the library with regard to their role is better understood. The loan process is as follows:-

   Search for the item/ material using Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC).
   Note the call number of the item and remove it from the shelve.
   Approach the service counter at Information Resource Center.
   Present ones membership card (MyKad, Mykid, MyPR or passport).
   The staff on duty will process the transaction.
   A borrowing receipt will be issued for record purposes.
   For an item that has been checked out, one can place a reservation for it online. When the material is returned, one will be informed to collect it within three (3) days.

A user/ member can reserve borrowed items by :-

   Searching for an item using Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC).
   Clicking the ‘item’ icon to see the item’s location.
   ‘Available’ means that the item is available in PUSTAKA and can be borrowed. If the status is ‘checked out’ , it means that another user has borrowed the item.
   For items borrowed by other users, one can place a reservation for it online by clicking ‘Reservation’. The estimated availability date will also be displayed.
   A member is allowed to borrow 10 items at any one time for the period of 14 days. An extension of the loan period can be done via telephone, online or by requesting personally at the service counter before or on the due date.

Location

   PUSTAKA Resource Center, First Floor
   Multimedia Gallery, Ground Floor
   Children Infotheque Counter, Ground Floor

Materials that could be borrowed include:

   Open Shelves Collection with white label
   Special Needs Collection with orange label
   Teenagers Collections with blue label.
   This service is offered during Pustaka’s Operation Hours.

Operating Hours

Mondays to Friday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Closed on Gazetted Public Holidays