April 2005

What is Teleservice?

Teleservice is the Library System's automated telephone information and renewal system. You can use it to renew materials, find out the titles of items you have on hold or you have overdue, or what fines you have on your library account. You can also hear library announcements on the Bulletin Board.

How to Use Teleservice:

To use Teleservice you need a push button (touch tone) telephone. When you call, have your library card in front of you and any items that you want to renew.

The Basic Steps:

1. Key in the Teleservice number: 420-5775.
2. Key in your library card number and press the pound sign (#).

   Your library card number is the 13 digit number on the barcode label. The computer voice will repeat the number you have entered, and check whether it is valid. If it is not, it will repeat the greeting message, and give you another chance to enter your number.If the number is invalid a second time, the computer voice will ask you to call back to try again.

3. Enter the number of the menu option you want. (Options are explained below.)

   Enter only one option at a time. Except when using the Renewal Option, you can interrupt Teleservice at any time to choose another Option. Once you have started a renewal transaction you must complete it.

Renew Items:

By using this option you may extend the due date on items you have checked out.

1. Choose the Renewal Option by pressing "1".
2. Key in the barcode of the item when the computer voice asks for it. The barcode is usually on the first page of a book; on media the barcode is on the item itself.
3. The computer will give you the new due date for the item. Note the new due date on a slip of paper, not on the item or the old date due card.
4. To renew another item, select the Renew Option again, and key in the next barcode number, followed by the pound (#) sign.

Renewal Denied:

If the computer voice repeats the barcode number and then says,"This item may not be renewed at this time. Please return the item by its original due date. . ." it means that the item can't be renewed. The reason may be that

• another borrower has requested the item
• the item is not renewable
• the item has already been renewed four times, which is the maximum allowed
• your account is delinquent because you have too many fines or other charges, or too many overdue items

Items on Hold:

Press "2" and the computer voice will tell you which items you have requested that are ready for you to check out. It is capable of telling you up to nine titles.

Overdue Items:

Press "3" and the computer voice will tell you which items you have that are due back at the Library.

Fines:

Press "4" and the computer voice will tell you the titles of items which you have overdue and what fines have accumulated. The computer can list the titles and fines for up to nine items.

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