Placement of Bar Codes on New Books July 30, 2001
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Uncategorized , add a commentI noticed that you have begun placing bar codes on the outside back covers of books instead of the inside cover. I can understand why you might want to make this change–it probably reduces wear and tear on books–but it does cause some problems with the Automatic Checkout Machine. When you check out a book with a bar code on the inside cover, the spine of the book rests against the back of the machine, and the anti-theft mechanism is desensitized properly. When you check out a book with a bar code on the outside, however, the spine of the book faces outwards; the anti-theft mechanism is not desensitized properly, and one must go to the circulation desk, thereby defeating the purpose of the automatic checkout machine.
If you want the machine to be useful, you should place the bar codes on the inside cover (or upside-down on the bottom of the outside cover).
Thanks,
Dan
danfrog@hotmail.com
ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Actually, the placement of the barcode on the outside cover does work, at least in Answer Person’s experience. Answer Person has been able to check out books, and the anti-theft mechanism works fine. The trick is–just like with your barcode-in-the-book approach–to place the spine of the book against the back of the machine. Your comments have been passed on to the Head of Access Services, who also recommends that you let the staff at the Circulation Desk know when you are experiencing problems with the system.
a replacement book July 18, 2001
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Uncategorized , add a commentI would like to see a copy of Prentice Alvin, a novel by Orson Scoot Card, on the shelves. It is reported as missing.
ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Answer Person will pass on your request. It always helps to make the request in person. Just stop by the Circulation Desk (or call them at 660-5870) to let them know what you need, and how to contact you when the book arrives.
Journal in philosophy July 16, 2001
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Uncategorized , add a commentI’m writing to ask you to consider acquiring the journal Maritain Studies, which is devoted to metaphysics and history of philosophy in the spirit of wide-ranging scholarship found in the work of Jacques Maritain. The website for the journal is http://www.stfx.ca/people/wsweet/etudes.html
ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Thank you for your suggestion. Answer Person has passed it on to our resource specialist for philosophy, who is responsible for making final decisions on new serial subscriptions. It would be very helpful if you would contact her directly (see the “Resources in Philosophy” web page: http://www.lib.duke.edu/reference/subjects/philoso/index.htm) so you may answer any questions about potential use of the annual.
proxy July 10, 2001
Posted by Library Answer Person in : Uncategorized , add a commentFor some reason, I am unable to use the BARD service from home–says NETSCAPE unable to recognize Proxy server. Can this be fixed?
ANSWER PERSON RESPONDS: Usually the problem is that you don’t have your proxies set in Netscape (or whatever interface you are using). This is also necessary if you are using any of our subscribed databases and are not coming in through DukeNet–the system needs to verify that you are an authorized user.
OIT has instructions on how to set the proxies: http://www.oit.duke.edu/remote_access/proxy.html.
As you can imagine, this is a difficult problem to work out via e-mail, much less the normally elegant communications of the Answer Person. As with any of the your information access needs, I suggest you call the ever helpful people at the Reference Desk (660-5880) for expert, one-on-one assistance.
