Circulation Desk
Student Assistants spend most of their scheduled time at the Circulation Desk. Responsibilities here include circulation of materials (books, DVDs, reserve items, and more) as explained in the training on circulation of materials.
This location is also the primary point of contact for students, faculty, and staff using the library or visiting the building. Make a good impression!
Customer Service is a CRITICAL skill in this position. Students at both desks should be alert and aware of their surroundings, and maintain a desk space welcoming to patrons. Patrons should never be kept waiting because you are unaware of their presence. Greeting and assisting patrons is your number one priority.
Circulation of Materials
Log into Alma using the link on your station desktop or from the Library Student Assistant Libguide. Sign in using your Marist authentication.
Books
(see additional instructions for Interlibrary loan books, SUNY Resource Sharing books, and Reserve Books).
How to check out:
How to check in:
DVDs
DVDs may be located in any of the following locations:
How to check out:
How to check in:
Laptops
Laptop policies:
Contents of accessory bags:
How to check out:
How to check in a laptop:
Laptop not functioning:
Reserve Items
Reserve Items are items that a professor placed on hold for a class. These items have a three- hour loan limit and cannot leave the building. They are located on the shelves behind the circulation supervisor’s desk.
How to check out:
How to check in:
Short-term Loan Items
Study supply kits, dry erase marker kits, Presentation Practice Room Remotes, DVD Players
How to check out:
How to check in:
Holds Shelf Items
Requested Library Items, InterLibrary Loans, and SUNY Resource Sharing Materials are interfiled on the shelves directly behind the Library Student Assistant stations. ILL books are books coming from other college libraries. Books and DVDs from participating college libraries may be borrowed through SUNY Resource Sharing.
Item holds
Patrons can request library materials to be pulled from the shelf and held for them to check out at the circulation desk. These hold items are kept on the shelf directly behind the Library Student Assistant Stations. IF THE ITEM IS NOT ON THE SHELF, PLEASE REFER TO THE SUPERVISOR. The requested items are shelved with a slip, stored next to the hold items, detailing when the request was placed and when the patron intends to pick up the item. If a patron calls to request a hold on an item, refer them to the Circulation Desk Supervisor.
How to Check Out a Requested Hold item from the Holds shelf:
How to check out an ILL or SUNY Resource Sharing item:
How to check in an SUNY Resource Sharing or ILL item:
Renewing an ILL or SUNY Resource Sharing item:
The primary responsibility for answering the phone falls to the student sitting closest to the telephone; however, everyone should be alert and ready to respond.
Answering a call
“Library circulation desk; (Full Name) speaking. May I help you?”
“Library Circulation Desk; (Full Name) speaking. Will you please hold?”
Wait for an answer. If patron is willing to hold, say “Thank you” and proceed to step 4. If not, explain that you are assisting someone else and ask if they would please call back.
Try to return to the call within 2 minutes.
“One moment please while I transfer you to PERSON’S NAME at EXTENSION NUMBER.”
Staff extension numbers are listed alphabetically by last name on the phone. For other Marist employees and departments, transfer the call to the extension 3000.
To make a call, pick up the phone and dial the 4 digit extension. The number you should remember is ext. 5555 which is security for emergencies. The non-emergency line for security is ext. 2282. The numbers are listed at the desk.
Whenever the gate alarm sounds you need to take action!
The primary responsibility falls to the student sitting closest to the gate; however, everyone should be alert and ready to respond.
What you should do
If you find any items that do not circulate (i.e., laptops, journals, DVDs, videos); pages ripped out of Library materials; other questionable items which have set off the alarm; or if the situation becomes more complex, refer the situation to a member of staff immediately.
The primary responsibility falls to the student sitting closest to the elevator; however, everyone should be alert and ready to respond.
Instructions for the use of the intercom are located in the flipbooks at each Student Assistant station and beside the intercom.
Introduce patron count and have the student count patrons during the library tour.
2ND Floor
1st floor
3rd Floor
3399 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 575-3106