FAQs

A Reading Room allows you to check out items to users in a supervised setting where those users will not be taking items from the library.  Items can be checked in and out repeatedly to a user without being reshelved.

Roles: Staff will need the following roles to use a reading room.

• Circulation Desk Operator - scoped to library and reading room circulation desk
• Requests Operator - scoped to library and reading room circulation desk

Requested Items: items requested for use in a reading room will appear on the reading room circulation desk's Pick From Shelf list.  That Pick From Shelf list behaves like any other Pick From Shelf list.

Checking Items In and Out: Staff can check reading room items in and out using multiple functions. 

• Manage Patron Services: can be used to check items out and in (both Non-Final and Final)
• Active Hold Shelf: can be used to check items out (only after the item has initially been checked out through Manage Patron Services) and in (Non-Final only)
• Return Items: can be used to check item in (both Non-Final and Final)

Hold Until Dates: When an item is initially placed on hold, it will be given a Hold Until date equal to the Reading Room Circulation Desk's Maximum Time On Hold Shelf setting.  Once the item is checked out, the hold until date will change to the due date defined by the Loan Terms of Use.  Once an item's Hold Until date passes, it will appear on the Expired Hold Shelf List.

Check In/Out Details:

• Checking Out a Reading Room Item Using Manage Patron Services
• Checking Out a Reading Room Item Using the Active Hold Shelf
• Checking In a Reading Room item Using Manage Patron Services (Non-Final and Final)
• Checking In a Reading Room item Using the Active Hold Shelf (Non-Final Only)
• Checking In a Reading Room item Using Return Items (Non-Final and Final)

Checking Out a Reading Room Item Using Manage Patron Services

1. Go to Fulfillment | Manage Patron Services, enter the user's ID into the Scan Patron's ID or Search for Patron box, and then click the Go button.

2. Enter the item barcode into the Scan item Barcode field and then click the OK button.

Checking Out a Reading Room Item Using the Active Hold Shelf

The active hold shelf has three tabs.

• Waiting for Pickup: items that have been placed on hold but have yet to be checked out
• Held By Patron: items that are currently checked out
• On Shelf (Not Final): items that have been checked out and then back in (non-final) and are still being held for further use

Items in the On Shelf (Not Final) tab can be checked out in the Active Hold Shelf.  Items in the Waiting For Pickup tab must be checked out through Manage Patron Services.

1. Go to Fulfillment | Active Hold Shelf, click the On Shelf (Not Final) tab, check the box next to the item(s) you wish to check out, and then click the Loan to Patron button at the top of the list.  if you're checking out just one item, you can also click the Loan to Patron button next to that item.

Checking In a Reading Room Item Using Manage Patron Services

1. Go to Fulfillment | Manage Patron Services, enter the user's ID into the Scan Patron's ID or Search for Patron box, and then click the Go button. 

2. Click the Returns tab and ask the user if they are finished using the item.  If user is not finished using the item, make sure the Final Check-In Mode box is not checked, enter the item barcode in the Scan item Barcode field, and then click the OK button.  You'll see a popup that reads "Reshelve in Reading Room."  Click the OK button to complete the return, and place the item back on the reading room hold shelf.  If the user is finished using the item, skip ahead to step 3.

3. When user is finished using the item, make sure the Final Check-In Mode box is checked, enter the item barcode in the Scan item Barcode field, and then click the OK button.  The item can now be reshelved in its permanent location.

Note: The item may be placed in transit if the item's permanent location and your reading room location are in different libraries.

Checking In a Reading Room Item Using the Active Hold Shelf

The active hold shelf has three tabs.

• Waiting for Pickup: items that have been placed on hold but have yet to be checked out
• Held By Patron: items that are currently checked out
• On Shelf (Not Final): items that have been checked out and then back in (non-final) and are still being held for further use

Items in the Held By Patron tab can be checked in using the Active Hold Shelf if the check in is Non-Final.  Final check ins must be done through either Manage Patron Services or Return Items.

1. Go to Fulfillment | Active Hold Shelf, click the Held By Patron tab, check the box next to the item(s) you wish to check in, and then click the Receive From Patron button at the top of the list.  if you're checking in just one item, you can also click the Receive From Patron button next to that item.

Checking In a Reading Room Item Using Return Items

1. Go to Fulfillment | Return Items.  Ask the patron if they are done using the item.  If user is not finished using the item, select "Not Final" from the Check-in Mode dropdown, enter the item barcode into the Scan Item Barcode field, and click the OK button.  You'll see a popup that reads "Reshelve in Reading Room."  Click the OK button to complete the return, and place the item back on the hold shelf.  If the user is finished using the item, skip ahead to step 2.

2. When user is finished using the item, select "Final" from the Check-in Mode dropdown, enter the item barcode in the Scan item Barcode field, and then click the OK button.  The item can now be reshelved in its permanent location.