SSVT DHARMA LIBRARY
LIBRARY OPERATION
Our library operation is a little different from public library operation. We are running on a virtual mode.
Primary operation - a devotee can complete placing hold on books anytime during the week from the convenience of home. LIBIB(library software) will send a book available notification. Please DO NOT come to the library at this point after receiving this email notification. Library manager will come either on Friday evening or Saturday morning and check out all books and place them in the bags. They will share a message saying that book is available for pick-up from the SSVT education room. Devotees can come to the temple either Saturday or Sunday to collect books.
We are planning an open-house (people can come in-person, explore our collection, check-out in person) once a month - Usually on Second Saturday of the month.Please confirm the date and time on the library website.
If you place a hold during a weekend, unfortunately it will be available for pick-up next weekend. Please send us an email if there is any urgency to pick-up during the same weekend.
We are giving 2 full weekends for devotees to come and pick-up the books.
You will not be able to open bookcases and check-out whenever you visit the temple. Please browse our collection at home and collect your favorite books on weekends. If you wish to explore in-person, please plan to visit the temple during open-house.
General Information
Usage Guidelines
1. User submits a library request Google form.
2. Library admin registers the email and sends out instructions to create a personal user login page.
3. Users, after creating their own login, log into the library website
4. Users can browse the collections and place 'hold' on books.
5. Library managers/volunteers check out books and send out email when books are ready for pick-up.
6. User collects books on specific times from the temple front desk.
7. Users can return books anytime in a designated bin placed in the education room.
Books Donations
We appreciate book donations. As the library space is very limited, the SSVT education committee would like to review before we accept any donations.
Please contact us - library@ssvt.org.
Books Check-out Process
Users place hold requests on books they want to check out, in the library website.
All hold requests made through the days until Friday morning, will be processed by a library volunteer either on Friday or Saturday morning depending on his availability.
Books will be available for pickup from the education room by Saturday 11AM.
Checked-out Books Collection from the temple
Books for each user will be in a paper bag with their name on it, placed on a shelf in the education room.
Books not picked up in 2 weeks will be checked back into the library.
Lending Policies
Users are not allowed to check out or check in any book by themselves for the time being. The Library Manager helps with this process.
Held books will be released after 14 days if not checked out.
The Default due date is 45 days after checkout.
Users can renew a currently checked out item once by themselves. That will give a user 45 + 45 (90) days to keep and read the books.
An email will be sent to users reminding them of an upcoming due date (10 Days before due date)
Email reminders will be sent out in 3, 7, 14 days past the due date.
There is no limit on the maximum number of books that can be checked-out at this point.
If books are not returned in the 90 days' time period, the temple would like to collect a $25 late fee. The intention is to ensure the timely return of all library books so that we can continue to run this library.
Books Check-in Process
A bin is placed in the SSVT Education room to collect the returned books.
People can return books any time during the temple hours.
SSVT Library manager will do the check-in process through LIBIB, once the books are collected.