Fixed and final due dates let you set specific dates for when items should be due. These types of due dates override the due dates that Horizon calculates using the loan periods that you set up for each location.
A fixed due date overrides loan periods by specifying a due date that takes effect when items are checked out after a set date. (For example, academic libraries may want items checked out after March 1 due back at the end of the winter term on April 15.) Here is an example:
In this example, the “after date” is March 1. Items checked out after this date are due on April 15, regardless of the loan period of 14 days. An item checked out on March 5 is due on April 15. This overrides the 14‑day loan period, extending the loan period to 40 days. An item checked out on April 5 is also due on April 15. Again, this overrides the 14‑day loan period. However, in this case the loan period is shortened to 10 days.
You can have several fixed due dates by specifying dates after which the fixed date should take effect. Fixed due dates can offer an alternative to loan periods.
An indefinite (permanent) loan is a special kind of fixed due date. An indefinite loan lets a library assign an item to a borrower for an indefinite length of time. However, the library may still allow and handle other loans on these indefinitely loaned items. The library can check out the item from the borrower with the indefinite loan (the primary borrower) to another borrower (the secondary borrower). When the item is due, the library returns the item to the primary borrower instead of keeping it in the library.
If you use normal loan periods, you should set up fixed due dates as exceptions only to the normal loan periods. You can set up fixed due dates for ITYPE groups, BTYPE groups, and combinations of ITYPE and BTYPE groups. You can set up fixed and final due dates in two separate areas of Horizon, but either setup has the same effect.
A final due date specifies a date when all items are due. This final due date overrides the loan period when the end of the loan period falls after the final due date. (For example, when the final due date for a BTYPE is April 15 and a borrower checks out an item with a 14‑day loan period on April 10, the item is due on April 15th, regardless of the 14‑day loan period.) Here is an example:
In this example, the final due date does not affect the item checked out on March 15. However, the item checked out on April 10 is due on April 15, giving the item only a five-day loan period.
Academic libraries may want to use a final due date to ensure that all items are returned by a certain date (for example, by the end of the semester).
This section includes these tasks:
• | To specify a fixed or final due date in the due_date view |
• | To specify a fixed or final due date in the location view |
To specify a fixed or final due date in the due_date view
1 | Open the due_date view in the Table Editor. |
2 | Choose the due date that you want to change, or create a new due date. |
Horizon displays the Edit Fixed or Final Due Dates window:
3 | Complete or update these fields (you can enter information in any or all of the fields): |
Field |
Action |
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Location |
Enter or choose the code for the location where the fixed due date applies. |
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Enter or choose the code for the BTYPE to which the due date setting applies. |
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Enter or choose the code for the ITYPE to which the due date setting applies. |
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Enter the date after which the due date should take effect. |
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Enter the due date you want to use. This due date overrides default or excepted loan periods if items are checked out after the After Date. If you want to set up the loan period for an indefinite or permanent loan, set the Fixed Due Date to an “artificial” date, such as 12/31/2050. Horizon recognizes this date as indefinite and displays it as such in Horizon and on receipts. |
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Do one of these options:
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4 | Save your changes. |
To specify a fixed or final due date in the location view
1 | Open the location view in the Table Editor. |
Horizon opens the List Location Parameters window.
2 | Choose the location for which you want to set due dates. |
Horizon displays the Edit Location Parameters window.
3 | Display the Due Dates group: |
4 | Choose the due date item that you want to change, or create a new due date item. |
5 | Complete or update any or all of these fields in the Due Date group (click New to add multiple due dates): |
Field |
Action |
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Enter or choose the code for the BTYPE to which the due date setting applies. |
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Enter or choose the code for the ITYPE to which the due date setting applies. |
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Enter the date after which the due date should take effect. |
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Enter the due date you want to use. This due date overrides default or excepted loan periods if items are checked out after the After Date. If you want to set up the loan period for an indefinite or permanent loan, set the Fixed Due Date to an “artificial” date, such as 12/31/2050. Horizon recognizes this date as indefinite and displays it as such in Horizon and on receipts. |
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Do one of these options:
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6 | Save your changes. |
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