Wolfner Patron Manual
Ordering Books and the Circulation System
The goal of the library’s circulation system is to provide you with all the reading material you want on a regular basis. Generally you will receive a new book automatically every time you return one. Therefore, an effective way to use the system is to return each book as soon as you finish it. This will guarantee you a steady flow of books. The books sent to you are selected from your request file, or based on the reading interests you indicated on your application.
Each new reader is sent seven books. Call the library if you want to increase or decrease the number of books you receive.
Wolfner Library numbers materials with a two or threeletter prefix followed by a four or fivenumber code. The prefix identifies the medium in which the book is available. The following list identifies the codes.
BR = Braille.
LP = Large Print. This collection, predominantly books for children, contains books printed in size 14 or larger font.
RC = Cassettes. These NLS produced cassettes are recorded on four tracks at a speed of 15/16 inches per second (IPS) and play for 90 minutes per side.
WOC = Cassettes. These cassettes are recorded on two tracks at the commercial speed of 1-7/8 IPS and generally play for 60 minutes per side.
WOD = Cassettes. These cassettes are generally produced by Wolfner volunteers or other libraries for the blind and physically handicapped. They are recorded on four tracks at 15/16 IPS and play for 90 minutes per side.
You can order books by catalog number only, but if any numbers are transposed, you may get the wrong book. If you also include the title and the author’s name, you will be sure to receive the book you requested.
Be sure you include your name and address on your order form or book list.
Service Options
There are a variety of service options to suit your reading needs. including:
On Demand
Books shipped to you only upon special request.
Request List
Readers supply us with a list of books they would like to read. Each time we receive a book, another is automatically shipped from this list at your next regular service time. Books can be added to the request list, but the computer always makes random selections based on availability.
Computer Selection
Patrons are asked to be as specific as possible about their reading interests including the kinds of books they like to read (mysteries, bestsellers, westerns, biographies, etc.), their favorite authors, and also whether they prefer not to receive books that contain sex, violence, and/or strong language. There are many variables. Tell us what you like and what you do not like, and we will do our best to program the computer to send the right kinds of books for your tastes.
Time Interval Options
Weekly/Bimonthly/Monthly a specified number of books is shipped on the same day each week/every other week/month.
When you phone, send in, or submit an online book order, your Reader Advisor will do one of three things based on how you have asked to receive service:
- If the book is available, they will send it out in the next day’s mail.
- If the book is not available and you want to receive it as soon as possible, they can put it on your reserve list so that the next copy that is returned to us will be sent directly to you.
- Place the book on your request list to be sent at a later date.
Ordering Books In a Series
If you want to read books in a series in chronological order, call
Wolfner Library and request the first title of the series. The Reader
Advisor will then add that series to your patron profile and you will
receive the series in its proper sequence.
Web-Braille
Patrons with Internet and braille output capabilities can download many braille books from the NLS Web site. To register for this service, contact the Wolfner Library staff at 1-800-392-2614. You will need to tell the staff what you would like your password to be and your e-mail address. After your account is set up, you will receive an e-mail message informing you how to access the collection.
Wolfner Library also offers a Missouri-specific Web-Braille site containing college sports schedules, festival information, Missouri magazines and books, and other items that may be of interest to you. Missouri Web-Braille is on Wolfner Library’s Web page at: www.sos.mo.gov/wolfner/webbraille/mobraille.
Circulation
The standard loan period for a book is six weeks. Returning books promptly assures a constant flow of reading material to you. Holding books for longer periods of time or neglecting to return them may interrupt your service and deny the same titles to other readers.
Books and Damage
Due to the nature of recorded materials, books can become damaged. Tapes tangle and break. Braille books, too, are often damaged through normal use. If a book is damaged when you receive it, or if it gets damaged while you are reading it, notify Wolfner Library immediately. You will be sent another copy of the book if it is available. You should return the damaged book to Wolfner Library in its container. If it is a cassette book, place a rubber band around the damaged cassette and place it braille-side down in the container. If it is a braille volume, tie a string around the cover of the volume. Then check the box marked “defective book” in the upper lefthand corner of the mailing label.