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The AIS Desk Staff LibGuide: RFID Circulation

Desk staff should encourage library patrons to use the self-check machines to check-in or check-out when possible. Exceptions to this would be:

  • Patrons who have old CatCards 
  • Items with no records or barcodes

General Guidelines

Responding to Flashing RFID Gates

  • A visual gate alert will flash red if it scans an RFID tag that hasn't been checked out. An audio alert will also be heard for selected gates. 
  • If this happens, attempt to get the patron’s attention and ask the patron if we can make sure all their books are checked out. 
    • Do not yell across the library or chase patrons if they don't stop. The RFID system will capture the tag for later review of the incident. 
  • Only verify in ALMA that the books/materials are checked out: don't speculate as to the reason the gate alert has gone off.
  • Do not ask to search a patron’s bags or belongings for library materials.  
  • If a patron has questions about the gates or any related processes, let them know we cannot discuss security matters with the public. If they continue to ask questions, please make a referral to a supervisor or the AskUs queue.

More detailed information can be found in Box, "Responding to RFID Gate Alerts While Working at an AskUs Desk"

RFID Tags on Community Cards

At this point, all active community user cards should have RFID tags. Any community users with a card that does not have an RFID tag have been contacted within the last year about visiting the library to have one added, and have not yet visited in person to do so.

A block has been placed on the accounts of all active community users with cards that do not yet have an RFID tag. See below.

This block prevents:

  • Checking out new items
  • Automatic renewals on items already checked out

Please do not override this block. We want for all active community user cards to have RFID tags.

Let patrons know to contact the systems@lib.arizona.edu email address, or try to locate Lucy and Mona via slack/email/phone. If one of them is available, they will do their best to meet with the patron right away.

RFID Checkout/Checkin Process

Switching from Manual to Automatic Mode