rus (Patron Notification)

These instructions are designed for Circulation Desk staff who use the rus program to notify patrons that ReCAP requests have arrived. 

rus is a program designed in-house by LITO to notify CUL patrons that ReCAP requests are available for pick-up.  It can be used to retrieve information about barcode's requesting UNI and delivery location.  It does not function as a tracking system.

rus is case sensitive: upper and lower case letters must be entered accordingly.

Instructions for using rus

1. Log into rus

rus Login1

To open rus:

  • Log into Cunix with UNI and password (Start Menu → Cunix)
  • Type rus at the $ prompt
  • If log-in fails, follow these instructions.
  • Enter the 2-letter delivery code of your location from the list.
  • The main menu will appear

2. Select current location

rus options1
  • Enter the 2-letter delivery code of your location from the list
  • The main menu will appear

3. rus main menu

rus_main_menu

Main menu options:

  • Option 1, for item check-in:  Use this option for initial processing and patron notification. See Item Check-in instructions.
  • Option 2, to display full bib/item and patron information:
    Entering a barcode will display a printable information page
  • Option 3, to search request history:  Seach terms include all data found in rus: barcode, UNI, location, or date (e.g. "2008.04.01" or "zl2114")
  • Option H, to display all items in system for a location
  • Option N, for instructions on creating a new user account for rus

4. Item check-in = Standard daily operations

rus item check in1
  • Select Option 1 from the Main Menu.
  • On the next page, type or scan in the item barcode.
  • rus is case sensitive
rus5option1-2
  • If item is in an envelope/housing or too fragile for circulation or from a non-circulating collection, type F
  • The patron will be notified by e-mail that the item has a restriction: This item can be used in the Library only
rus override1
  • If the item has accidentally been delivered to the wrong location, you will see an Override prompt
  • Please alert staff immediately if this occurs, recap@library.columbia.edu
  • The item will need to be hand-delivered to the correct destination as soon as possible
rus5option1-3
  • Select option M to send e-mail notification to the patron. 
  • Print out information screen according to local procedure (optional). It can be used as the Name/Date slip.
rus email1
  • rus sends e-mail to the address supplied by the patron on the request form
  • It will appear in their inbox immediately
  • rus does not validate e-mail addresses
  • If the e-mail addres is miskeyed, the patron will not receive notification.
rus email2
  • Email text was updated in 2016 to provide more clarity to patron
  • Reply-to address corresponds to the delivery location to facilitate communication with library staff
  • Patron is addressed by name and provided a clear citation as a reminder
  • "restrictions" has been moved towards the top of the email to communicate about non-circulating status
  • The signature also corresponds to the delivery location selected by the patron
  • Detailed information, likely not pertinent to the patron, is maintained for staff reference below the signature

Appendix: New rus users

rus add user1

If staff person types rus and sees output bash: rus: command not found, follow these steps:

1. Log in to Cunix using UNI/Password

appendix2_string

2. At the $ prompt type ~culpub/bin/addpath

3. Log out and log back in. rus should now work. 

  • If it still fails, have them type groups at the $ prompt.  Check to see if cul is listed. If it is not, send e-mail to lso-help@columbia.edu asking that the person be added to the cul group. Include their UNI in the message
  • If it still doesn't work, contact recap@library.columbia.edu
recap5

ReCAP User Inquiry Alias: recap@library.columbia.edu

Supervisor, ReCAP Access Services: Jennifer Loubriel

Phone: (212) 854-3542

E-mail: jll2223@columbia.edu