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State Librarian
Jo Ann Schindler was
selected as the
2007 Librarian of the Year
by the Hawaii Library
Association. The award
was presented at the
organization's annual
conference on Nov. 11th.
From: "Jo Ann Schindler"
To: "Vernon Balmer"
Subject: Re: Library Accounts
Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2006 12:35:25 -1000
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Mr. Balmer,
I was referring to the staff module which allows our staff to circulate library materials, check them back in, process payments, and place a reserve at a customer's request. Some customers prefer to rely on staff to place reserves for them rather than to do it themselves in PAC. Also, there are some types of reserves, e.g., when a customer wants a particular volume of a set, which can only be done by staff. As stated, the customer's PIN in not needed to place the reserve for the customer.
-Jo Ann Schindler
----- Original Message -----
From: Vernon Balmer
To: Jo Ann Schindler
Sent: Monday, October 09, 2006 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: Library Accounts
Could you please explain furthrer, "a staff account"? Is this an account for a library staff person, or a way the staff can access a patrons account? Since the request ended up on my account, which I did not leave open, or use on the 25th of September, I would like to know if it is possible for this request to have ended up on my account through a librarian placing the request there without needing a pin. Seems to me librarians should not be able to place data on patrons accounts, as I stated in my first response.
Jo Ann Schindler wrote: Dear Mr. Balmer:
As stated, a staff member could place a request for a customer using only the library card number -- without the PIN. Although our staff try to be careful, it is possible that numbers could be transposed once in a great while. It seems that this is the more likely possibility than someone having information to both your library card number and PIN since you have not shared this information with anyone.
I would like to apologize for any error caused by our staff. We will emphasize in training the need to check to make sure the right account is being accessed when placing a request for a customer. Again, please advise us if this situation reoccurs. Thank you very much for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Jo Ann Schindler
State Librarian
----- Original Message -----
From: Vernon Balmer
To: Jo Ann Schindler
Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 11:32 AM
Subject: Re: Library Accounts
I shared my information with no one, absolutely no one. I know how to sign out of an account, as I have many online accounts which require this same action. I know how to change my pin and will do this. I just thought there was a more secure system in place. It was suggested to me that a possible trasnposing of digits could have taken place, and I find it hard to believe that a librarian could transposed my library card number and my pin number that I think they should require to place a request or any data on a patrons account. Thank you.
Jo Ann Schindler wrote:
Dear Mr. Balmer:
The Hawaii State Public Library System does not have the technical ability to track which requests are placed on our library PAC terminals nor is there a way to determine who placed the requests. The assumption is that the card holder placed the request using his or her library card number and PIN. It would be extremely difficult to arrive at the exact combination of library card number and PIN by accident. Do you recall sharing this information with anyone?
Depending on how you normally place reserves, there are a couple of ways that a request may have been erroneously placed on your account:
If you normally place requests using a Public Access Catalog (PAC) computer in a library, you may not have logged out completely, and another customer may have used the computer after you and inadvertently placed a request while still logged into your account. Library staff can show you how to completely exit your account by pressing the Logout button.
Some customers ask for staff assistance in placing reserves. A PIN is not required to do this in the staff account. Staff may have transposed digits and the request may have ended up on the wrong person’ s account.
Rather than getting a new library card, I recommend that you change your PIN. You can do this in PAC in the following way:
1. Access “My Account”
2. Select “Profile”
3. Change your PIN
Staff can help you with this process if these instructions are not clear.
Hopefully what you experienced is a one time only error caused by either situation #1 or #2 above. Please let us know if you continue to experience erroneous requests on your account.
Thank you very much for using our public libraries and for bringing this concern to our attention.
-Jo Ann Schindler
State Librarian
----- Original Message -----
From: Vernon Balmer
To: joann@librarieshawaii.org
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 12:25 PM
Subject: Library Accounts
Hello, My name is Vernon Balmer Jr. I recently found out from a librarian, at the Kapolei branch, that a reserve was placed on my account. I did not place this reserve. I have inquired at the state library how and when this reserve was placed. Someone whold have had to access my account with my library card number and my pin, or they would have had to impersonate me.
At the state library I am told by Ms. Florence Yee, things like, "We are too busy", etc. So, I thought I would contact you Ms Schindler, hoping that you as the head of the HSPLS would know more about the capabilities and procedures of the system.
I find it hard to believe that with today's technology, this information cannot be ascertained, and there are no remedies short of me getting a new card, which has been suggested to me even before this confusion. I know you are very busy, so I will be patient while you contact the proper employees to get the right information for me.
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Home > Services > Reserving and Renewing Library Materials
If the item you need is on loan to someone else or is not immediately available at your library, you may ask staff to place a reserve for you. You may also place the reserve yourself at a public terminal or from your personal computer and modem. In addition, the public access catalog (PAC) is available via online at http://ipac.librarieshawaii.org. Enter your library card's number and PIN to proceed.
The searching capabilities of this catalog include: basic, advanced, and power search. You may request items individually or combine them with the "My list" function prior to placing the request.
PIN NUMBER REQUIRED TO RESERVE ITEMS: Beginning Monday, May 17, 1999, library patrons are required to enter a personal identification number (PIN) before placing a request to reserve library materials. Initially, the PIN is the last four digits of the telephone number which you provided when you registered for your library card. You will be able to change the PIN by accessing the "My Account" function. Please see a staff member if you have any questions about your PIN.
You will receive a notice in the mail when the item is available at your library for pickup. The item will be held for you for 16 days. Note: the requestor's library card must be presented in order to borrow the reserved item. Just the holds notice is insufficient to borrow the item. Effective January 22, 1996, you will be charged $1.00 per item if you do not pick up the reserved material. NOTE: Please do NOT place a reserve and then immediately go to the library to pick up the book or other material. If you need the item as soon as possible, please telephone the library which shows an "on shelf" copy BEFORE making a trip. The staff will check the shelves and make sure that a copy is available for you. Please copy down the author, title, and call number before you call the library.
Labels: Libraries Hawaii Honolulu HSPLS Hawaii State Public Library System
