Lots of libraries, nowadays, have computer systems which track check-outs, returns, overdues, book circulation and the like. It might be as simple as pressing a key to produce up-to-the-minute-status overdue notices. Even with systems like these, someone still has tell the computer what it's to do with its data, and even to apply postage to the notices. My system is much simpler, and, perhaps, easier to understand.
The end of the month brings me two tedious chores: stamping next-month's date-due cards and running overdues. On one hand, stamping date-due cards reminds me that out-going media secures my job. On the other hand, overdues get downright frustrating, particularly the second and subsequent notices.
After each bookmobile stop, cards are shuffled to indicate the status of the stuff we've got checked out. In the first stack, we put the stuff that got checked out that day. What was once in that stack goes to the next status, or Past Due. We know that catching the bookmobile can be hard, at times, considering that some of the stops are only half an hour. The Past Dues become First-Notice, and firsts become second and so on. On the good, well-disciplined stops, I don't have any cards to jockey around. At the end of the month, I go through all the cards from my 22 stops and find out which cards indicate First Notice status and onward. After these are separated from the rest, I create a list of overdue items to make my searches easier than if I were to carry the whole stack of card with me.
Here's my example-process. I take the first item on my list and search in likely locations (except the patron's home/property). I look on the bookmobile shelves and bags to see if if might have been re-shelved without being checked in. I search the book warehouse shelves, bags and tables. We've got shelves for: storage, items to be shelved, and items reserved to go out on another stop. The bags have books in them which are awaiting: turn-in at the main branch, withdrawal, repair, issue to patrons who've requested specific items, and stocking on the bookmobile. I then check the tables and desks, in case it might have been misplaced there, or put there awaiting special handling. Imagine yourself checking on several different shelves, in various packed bags, and on tables. Try to figure the time it takes for each book. This paragraph covers only one location at which I must search. If I don't find an item at my bookmobile location, I then search the main branch. We library people are not perfect. We sometimes let things slip through our watchful eyes. We check our areas before sending you a notice.
