The Seattle Public Library Book Group and KitKeeper FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

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1 The Seattle Public Library Book Group and KitKeeper FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) Book groups may now schedule book group kits online using the KitKeeper system. The following information will help you use the new system. Getting Started Reserving Kits (step-by-step instructions) Managing Kits Kit Check-out and Return Your Account Information Getting Started 1. What can I do in KitKeeper? KitKeeper is designed as a self service tool so that you can conveniently browse the Library s book group kit collection, reserve kits and manage your list of kit reservations. 2. How do I access KitKeeper? Enter the KitKeeper website address into your browser: seattle.kitkeeper.com (If your browser automatically adds www, that needs to be deleted in order to access the website.) 3. What if I am having trouble accessing the KitKeeper website? Type the website address into your browser exactly as listed: seattle.kitkeeper.com If your browser is automatically adding www, that needs to be deleted. If you are using Google to search for KitKeeper, that will not work either. The website needs to be typed in exactly as listed above. Alternatively, you may access the KitKeeper website from the Library s website by following these directions: 1. Go to 2. Search the SITE for: book group kits (Under Search the Library select This Site.) 3. Click on the first search result: The Seattle Public Library: Book Discussion Groups 4. Click on the hot link: Book Group Kits 5. This will bring up seattle.kitkeeper.com. If you would like to, you may bookmark this site. (If a different URL appears, disregard; this is the link to seattle.kitkeeper.com.) Page 1

2 4. How do I log in to KitKeeper? You need to use your Book Group Library Card sent to you specifically for book group use, rather than your personal Library card, which is not for book group use. Please note: A Book Group Library Card cannot be used to borrow items from the regular circulating collection, to reserve public computer time or to access the Library s online databases. Similarly, a regular/personal Library card cannot be used to borrow book group kits through KitKeeper. If you are not sure whether you are using the correct card, please call QIC Information at for assistance. Your PIN has been set up as the last four digits of your Book Group Library Card number, unless you have changed it. If you need to re set your PIN, please call QIC Information at or Borrower Services at Is there any restriction on when my book group meets? Yes. A book group must have a regular monthly meeting date (e.g., third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.). It works best if your group meets the second or third week of the month. Meeting in the middle of the month should give sufficient time to return kits to be available to send on to the next group, as well as for your group to receive its kits on time. Everyone has been inconvenienced at some point by not getting their books on time. Delivering kits to groups on time depends on every group and individual members taking responsibility to return kits on time. 6. How do I schedule titles in KitKeeper? What month do I use for a reservation? Place your reservation for the month you pick up the kit and distribute books to members, rather than the discussion month. For example, if you plan to discuss a title in April, schedule it for March. When you are reserving titles for future months, search for what is available during the month you PICK UP the kit. Also, your reservations must be placed by the 15 th of the month prior to the reservation month. For example, if you want to distribute a book in April, your reservation must be placed no later than March 15. (An notification will be sent when the kit is ready for pick up.) 7. How do I search for kits in KitKeeper? If you already know the name of the kit that you would like to reserve or would like to look at kits available in a particular month, you are ready to proceed to the next question on how to reserve kits in KitKeeper (see Question #8). a. From the KitKeeper home page, click on the List box outlined in red. You now have the choice to search for kits by title, author or genre (fiction or non fiction) using the dropdown arrows to the right of each option. b. Once you have highlighted an option, click Select. c. From the list of search results, you may click on Details for more information on a particular kit or click on Reserve this Kit to see a list of months that the kit is available. Page 2

3 (You can click on the Return to the Main Menu bar if you would like to start your search over.) d. Once you have decided on your kit, you are ready to place your reservation in KitKeeper. Refer to instructions for how to reserve kits in KitKeeper (see Question #8). 8. How do I reserve kits in KitKeeper? For detailed instructions on how to reserve a kit in KitKeeper, please see below. Reserving Kits (step by step instructions) A few notes before you begin reserving Reservation Deadlines: All reservations are due by the 15 th of the month prior to the reservation (pick up) month. (For instance, if you would like to distribute a kit in April, your reservation must be placed by March 15.) Title Alphabetization: In the alphabetical title list, the English language articles A, An and The are not used for filing, so The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao would be found in the list under B. Initial articles in other languages are used in filing, so, for example, La Perdita is found in the list under L. Titles with an Asterisk: If a title is followed by an asterisk, the kit is pre released for the first 18 months to Librarysponsored book groups that meet in Seattle Public Library locations and are facilitated by Library staff. (Such groups have an asterisk in their name.) It will become available to other groups at a later date. To find out when a kit will become available to all groups, please contact QIC Information at Titles with Multiple Kits: You can easily switch between multiple kits of a title to find the best available date. Seattle Reads: Every year, at least 60 Seattle Reads kits will be available for a three month period tied to the dates of the author s Seattle visit. At the end of each series, up to four kits of that year s title will become regular kits, and the bulk of Seattle Reads kits will be retired until the next year. You are now ready to begin reserving! 1. Open Internet Explorer and type into the website address line: seattle.kitkeeper.com Page 3

4 2. This will take you to the screen below. 3. If you know the title(s) you want to reserve, use the drop down menu. Note that you can also search by availability; then follow the same procedures below. 4. Select the title you want to reserve. 5. Then click on the Go button to the right of the drop down menu. Page 4

5 6. A screen similar to the one shown below will appear. Click on the Reserve this Kit link that is to the right of the month for which you want to reserve this kit. Page 5

6 7. From the screen that appears, enter your Book Group Library Card bar code number in the space to the right of Bar Code and enter your four digit PIN in the space to the right of PIN. Page 6

7 8. From the next screen that appears, click on the Continue button. Page 7

8 9. A screen similar to the one below should appear. Click on the Reserve this Kit button. Page 8

9 10. A screen similar to the one below should appear. Click on the Return to KitKeeper Main Menu link at the top of the screen. If there are more reservations for your group, go back to Step 3. If you have completed reserving titles for your group, go to Step 11. Page 9

10 11. To verify your reservations, from the home page click on the My Kits link at the bottom of the page. The screen below should appear. Enter your Book Group Library Card bar code number in the space to the right of Bar Code and enter your PIN in the space to the right of PIN. Click on the Submit button. Page 10

11 12. When you receive the message that your Library card has been verified, click on the Continue button. A screen similar to the one below should appear. 13. Verify the titles and months from your list. Use the Delete button to remove incorrect reservations, if necessary, and re enter the correct reservations by clicking the Close This Window link and starting with Step 3 of the preceding directions.* When satisfied that all reservations on the list are correct, click on the Close this Window link at the top of the page. *Important: Do not change reservations within two weeks of the reservation date. All reservations are due by the 15 th of the month prior to the reservation (pick up) month. (For example, a reservation for April must be placed by March 15 and cannot be changed after March 15.) If you need a replacement reservation due to your kit being overdue (and, therefore, unavailable) from the prior group, you must contact QIC Information at to get a replacement kit reserved. Page 11

12 14. If the Windows IE message similar to the one below appears, click on Yes. Managing Kits 1. When will my book group s kit be at the pickup branch? You will receive an message to notify you when your kit is ready for you at your pick up branch. This will usually be during the first week of the month. 2. What if I go to my branch and the kit is not there? Please wait for notification that your kit is there to pick up. KitKeeper sends an when the kit is ready. 3. My kit is late. What is the status? Where is it? For questions on the status of your kit, please call QIC Information at for assistance. You will need to provide the name of your book group and the title of the book. 4. Can I substitute another title? The only time that you may change your reservation is if the title that you are waiting for has not been returned by the prior group (overdue). This needs to be done by staff. Please contact QIC Information at if you need to reserve a replacement. You will need to provide the name of your book group and the title of the book that you had initially reserved. 5. How far out can I book a kit? 18 months (rolling) 6. Why are some kits marked with an asterisk (*)? Kits marked with an asterisk are pre released for the first 18 months, available only to Librarysponsored groups, which meet in a Library location and are facilitated by a Library staff person. 7. When will the kits marked with an asterisk (*) become available? Please call QIC Information at to find out when a kit will be available to all groups. Page 12

13 Kit Check out and Return 1. Can I return a kit to any branch? No, a kit needs to be returned to the location that it was checked out from. 2. Can I choose a different branch for pick up every month? No, kits can only be picked up from one location. 3. Do I need my card in order to pick up the kit? No, the Book Group Library Card is not required in order to pick up a kit. However, the person picking up the kit must provide the name of the book group and the title being picked up or bring in a copy of the notice that the kit is ready. 4. Can anyone in my group pick up the kit? Yes. That person will need to provide the name of the book group and the title being picked up or bring in a copy of the notice that the kit is ready. However, the contact person for the group is held responsible for making sure that all copies are returned on time and is the one who will receive notices for overdue kits. 5. I have been contacted about an overdue kit, and I am sure it was returned. If you are sure that you have returned the kit and are receiving overdue notices, please first contact the branch where the kit was returned and ask them to check for the kit. If the branch does not have the kit, please bookgroups@spl.org and tell us what branch and what date you returned the kit. Your Account Information 1. I need to update my , PHONE NUMBER, MAILING ADDRESS or change the CONTACT PERSON for my book group. For any changes to contact information or contact person, please send an to bookgroups@spl.org. In the , please include your name, the name of your group, your mailing address, phone number, address and what changes you are requesting. 2. Who can request changes to book group contact information and/or the contact person? Only the current contact person for the group may request these changes. 3. How can I re set my PIN? When your book group account was set up, your PIN was assigned as the last four digits of your Book Group Library Card. If you need your PIN re set, please call QIC Information at or Borrower Services at You may also request to have your PIN re set by Circulation Staff at any Library location. Only the contact person listed on the account may reset the PIN. Page 13

14 4. I have lost my card. How can I get a replacement? If your card is lost or stolen, please report this as soon as possible by contacting Borrower Services at You may also report your card as lost to Circulation Staff at any Library location. For reporting and replacing lost cards, Library staff will only be able to work with the contact person listed as the responsible party for the account at that time, not with another member of the book group. For a replacement card, the contact person needs to visit the Library in person with current identification. Page 14