Mission & Goals of the Ingram Library Circulation Department

Within the Division of Access Services, the mission of the Circulation Department is to provide for the greatest possible use of library material, while ensuring the collection's security and adherence to equitable policies in the provision of services to individuals whose needs compete. Ingram Library materials are loaned to university students, faculty, staff, and members of the local community. The library user is the focus of our mission, and we strive at all times to exemplify the University's motto, "Educational Excellence in a Personal Environment."

The Department is responsible for circulation of the general and course reserve collections, managing the Library's participation in the University System of Georgia's GIL Express System, registration of patrons and maintenance of patron records, reserves processing in all formats, compilation of circulation statistics, and the provision of basic directional information to library patrons.

GOALS:

• To promptly and accurately charge and discharge circulating materials
• To maintain accurate records of patrons, reserve collection records, and items in circulation
• To protect the privacy of all patron information
• To properly collect fines and fees, and to safeguard library funds while in our possession
• To maintain a course reserve service responsive to the needs of faculty and students, and which efficiently allows a maximum number of students access to a limited amount of material
• To coordinate and cooperate with other units of the Access Services Division, and Circulation Departments in other USG libraries
• To assist patrons in using the library and to provide directional information and referral as needed
• To maintain accurate statistics of library use
• To ensure the collection's security through the maintenance of a theft detection system
• To provide a skilled and competent staff, including student workers
• To establish policies and procedures designed to provide optimal access to the collection while ensuring its security
• To maintain written policies and procedures covering internal operations and activities, and to communicate with other library staff regarding circulation matters which impact them