1.3.1 Field 1 Organizational Library Name: 50 characters, display only

Purpose: To identify the organization name of the library.

1.3.2 Field 2 Catalog Name: 50 characters, display only

1.3.3 Field 3 Function Keys

1.3.4 Field 4 Main Library Back Office Menu:

Function [Search Catalog] is the Online Patron Access Catalog (OPAC). This staff entry empowers library staff beyond the standard patron features.

All of these functions enable the staff to identify an item by bar code, item number, MARC Number, ISSN, ISBN, OCLC Control Number, LC Control Number, and Keywords.

Function [Loan Item] allows a staff member to identify a patron for a loan. If the patron does not exist, the patron may be added. Once the patron is identified and the patron's account is in compliance with circulation rules, then the staff member can loan available items to the patron according to the lending rules for each item.

Function [Loan Item with Override] is similar to Loan Item, except it allows privileged staff members to loan any item to any patron, regardless of the patron's account status or the lending rules for a particular item. This function also enables a variable loan date and time.

Function [Return Item] will check in any item on loan. If the item is overdue, fines may be collected. This function will also process returned lost items, missing items, items with a status of locate, recalled items, etc.

Function [Return with Override] is similar to function [Return Item] except that it has a variable check date and time. It is often a privileged function, but is mostly used to catch up on a pile of returns.

Function [Conditional Returns] is used instead of Returns when an item comes back in poor condition, and fees have not yet been levied on the patron. The status of the item stays at "Conditional", and the item stays on the Returned Damaged report.

Function [Internal Circulation] is used by libraries that wish to keep statistics on the use of resources within the library.

Function [Renew Item] will continue a loan to a patron without the patron first returning the item, but only within the rules established for the item, the patron, and other interested patrons (e.g., those who have holds on the borrowed item(s)).

Function [Renew with Override] works the same as Renew except it is not constrained by the various rules. This function is usually privileged.

Function [Hold] displays the current status of patron fines and item loans with an option to show the detail. There is also an option to cancel a Hold that has already been placed. A patron is checked for Hold privileges and the item is also checked to make certain that it is eligible for a Hold. Once all the conditions are met by the patron and by the item, then the hold can be placed for the patron on the item.

Function [Locate] flags an item that should be available to patrons, but cannot be located within the library. The flag forces the item to be included in the Locate Report, a Circulation Management Report.

The [Recall Item] function marks an item that is on loan to be recalled to the library. The function places the item in the status Recall, and marks the status on the borrower's record. It also triggers a recall notice for printing on the next day (if your library established recall notices). When the item is Checked In, the system verifies that a recalled item has been returned and places the item in the status Available so that it may be loaned.

Function [Patron Lost Item] is similar to Conditional Return in that the status of the item is set to Lost, and the management thereafter is via the Circulation Management Reports. If the item happens to be found or returned, then function Return Item can process the item.

Function [Patron Claimed Returned] displays the pertinent information for the patron claiming an item or items were returned and also allows the patron to view detail information. All items may be marked as "claimed returned" or they may be marked individually.

Function [Patron Fines] is really the Loan window since patrons pay fines either at the time of a return or a new loan.

Function [Item Inquiry] displays the fundamental item values and usage data.

Function [Item Edit] modifies existing values for an item. An item is often referred to as holdings or copies. An item represents the bib (a bib can have many items, i.e., many copies and/or volumes).

Function [New Book or A/V Item] creates a holdings record for a bib for a book or A/V item. This function should not be used to check-in serial issues!

Function [Add Serial Holdings] is used to add non-current serial issues. This is NOT [Serial Issue Check In], the function in [ Serial Management] that is used to enter expected issues. [Add Serial Holdings] is on the Circulation menu because serial issues sometime arrive at the circulation desk not having been entered into the holdings, and they need to be entered in order to loan the items.

Function [New Temporary Item] creates a holdings record when the bib is not available, or not truly part of the catalog, such as a professor's book, notes, or slides on reserve for students.

Function [Temporary Item Report] lists all of the temporary items.

Function [Notices] reminds patrons that items are due, waiting to be picked up, and fees are to be paid.

Menu Style: Push Button

Menu Values:
Search Catalog
Loan Item
Loan Item with Override
Return Item
Return with Override
Conditional Return
Internal Circulation
Renew Item
Renew with Override
Hold
Locate Item
Recall Item
Patron Lost Item
Patron Claimed Returned
Patron Edit
Patron Inquiry
Patron Fines
Item Inquiry
Item Edit
New Book or A/V Item
Add Serial Holdings
New Temporary Item
Temporary Item Report
Notices
Help
Change Password
Quit