Common Questions

Below are some common questions you may receive while working the desk that you should know how to answer.

How to Find a Book

The great thing is that as a Circ student worker, you know how to read a call number and can tell people roughly where that book can be found. Now, however, you will also need to know how to find if we have a book.

To do so, enter the information into the Library Catalog search bar on the library webpage. IMPORTANT NOTE: The search bar will default to Discovery (a search resource that searches EVERYTHING and sometimes shows results for books that we do not have!).

So lets say someone is looking to read Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose. Here is the results that I received:

If you notice, I had to scroll down to the 6th and 7th response to find what I was looking for.

HOWEVER! These are 2 different formats. The first one is an audiobook on Overdrive and the other is a physical book in the stacks. Be sure to ask them what format they need or let them know that we do have it in multiple formats.

We'll say they want the physical copy, so write down the call number for them and explain where this book will be (Close to the MakerSpot if you were wondering!).

TIP: Always, always, always double check two things in regards to physical items. The library field and the available field. It is never fun to tell someone you sent them on a quest to find a book that is in Fort Worth or is already checked out. If you do not understand this, please see a supervisor for further instruction.

Printing

Mobile Device

Helping people to understand how the print system works will be something that you will need to handle at the desk, ESPECIALLY mobile printing. If a student doesn't know how to print from their device, I always direct them to the library website, and then to click on services, and then click "Print, Copy, Fax, Scan". Like so!

On the next screen, they can click on "Print from your personal device" in green, right under the first picture. They will then be required to enter their NTNET information. The following screen should look like this:

Here, they can upload the documents they want to print at the top; pick the color, sides, copies, etc. at the bottom center.

Now, a user can select what printer they want to use and then hit print and it will go.

NOTE: They need to choose a library printer. It will look something like DQ-LIB-MAIN-P01. If they do not see it in the list, they can search for library printers by typing LIB in the search box.

HOWEVER!

I generally tell people after they upload the document and set their print options to go to their desired printer and either swipe their id at the terminal or key their information in. I have seen people send documents to the wrong printer too many times, even in completely different buildings, to trust the select a printer function. Once their document is uploaded, they can release it at any print station.

From OUR computers

Students can use their NTNET login information to log on to any of our desktop computers. To print, they need to select either "HQ Print from any release station" for black and white or "Print to color" for color. A popup will show that requires the student to accept the amount it will cost before it will be sent to the release station. From there, all the student has to do is go to a release station terminal near a printer, swipe their card or enter their information, and select the print job they want to print.

Guest Printing

Guest printing is a bit different as guests will need to purchase a print card from the Texan Card Kiosk near the Collaboration Rooms. It costs $1.00 (.50 for the card and .50 for printing funds). When they print, they will have to input the code from the back of their print card and swipe that at the release station.

Common Printing Questions or Errors You Will Face

1. If a user tries to print something and it won't print, its generally because the print job they are trying to send costs more than their available funds. This happens often with lab manuals and people who print out pages and pages of notes.

2. If someone sends something to a printer and the printer says "Tray 1 empty, load more paper" they're trying to send a document that is using a different sized paper than standard. If this happens, let a staff member know as they will need to cancel the job and tell the student to make sure the job is set to letter sized paper. Another recommendation is to have them try to print from one our computers. Also, if they're trying to print a PDF or Powerpoint, it is best to use one of our computers and open it up in Adobe Acrobat DC.

3. If someone asks a question that is beyond your skills, get someone else. The person at reference and the staff at night have access to the print system and can usually see what happened to a document.

Guest Passes

If a community member needs computer access after 6, notify the GA or staff. They have access to the guest system and can log them on for you.