Overview
Some materials are stored offsite. Prior to 2016, only the Harvard Depository (HD) was available for such storage; since 2016 the ReCAP facility has also been an option. These instructions explain the recall, refile and Aeon workflows for these. Reference is sometimes made to Offsite Storage, which is the current name for both facilities, but some fields are still labelled HD.
What is in Offsite Storage?
In general, the only microfilms in Offsite Storage are negative copies of films for which we have positive copies in Isham.
Policies
Storage space is limited in Isham at the moment. Restrict patrons to three cartons of materials per day.
Recall
When a request arrives in Aeon for Isham materials located offsite, the following steps must be taken.
- Look at the Alma record to confirm that it is an appropriate request and can be filled. If the item has already been digitized, for instance, point this out to the patron before commencing recall.
- Copy the barcode into a .txt document. Name the document with the current date (for example 10022016.txt for February 10th, 2016).
- Visit the offsite storage online forms library and select Media Retrieval Request Form. Using the HD Account Prefix "ML" will autofill the form with the relevant information. You'll need to manually complete a few of the fields: Delivery Address and Room Number (Circulation Desk), Requester's name (your name) and E-mail address (your email address). Upload the text document containing the barcode and submit the form. More than one barcode may be submitted in a single text document.
- Temporarily change the item's location in Alma.
- Move the Aeon request into the Awaiting HD Delivery queue.
- Email eklps-list@fas.harvard.edu to notify Access Services personnel that a delivery is expected.
It is our preference at Isham to retain the last text document submitted in order to have a record of the most recent batch of offsite storage requests. We generally save the document to the desktop, then delete it when it is time to place a new request.
Delivery
Upon arrival at the library, offsite storage requests for Isham are treated as follows.
- The barcode is scanned and the pop-up message appears. The item is placed on the Merritt HD Items shelf behind the Circulation Desk. If the item is too large to fit on that shelf, it may be left in the Merritt Room.
- Print an Aeon slip and place the entire slip in the item. The item's Aeon status should now be On Hold.
- Put the item in the hold cabinet of the Merritt Room. This is the locked cupboard at the bottom of Cabinet 1.
- Notify the patron that the item is on hold and will remain at Isham. Here is a template for your email to the patron: Dear ___, An item that you requested -- -- is being held in your name in the Isham Room on the 2nd floor of the music library. This item is available for use only in the Isham Room, which is open Monday through Friday from 9:00A.M. - 5:00P.M. Please let me know if you have any questions. Yours, ___.
Refile
When the item is ready to go back to offsite storage, finish the request in Aeon and shred the Aeon slip. The item can be returned manually in the circulation module, then placed in a red refile bin in the record stacks. Finally, remove the temporary location in Alma.