Checking Out an Item Normally

Checkout involves identifying the borrower, identifying the item the borrower wants to check out, and printing a borrower receipt. During a normal checkout, you can also see a list of all the items currently on loan to the borrower as well as a list of all current blocks for the borrower, and you can edit certain circulation information.

You may need to check out a non-circulating item. Circulation gives you the option to override the non-circulating status of an item and check it out to a borrower. Circulation determines the due date of a non-circulating item based on a special loan period for the item or on the default checkout period assigned for that type of borrower. Your system administrator sets this default.

If a borrower wants to check out an uncataloged item, you can fast-add that item to Circulation as you check it out. Later, depending on your library’s policy, the item record can be edited, or deleted so that a new one can be created in Cataloging. (For instructions, see Fast-Adding Item and Bib Records.)

To check out an item normally

1 In the Checkout window, identify the borrower.

Note: If your library lets staff members enter partial barcodes during Checkout, they may be prompted to choose whether the barcode belongs to a borrower or an item. This happens if the significant digits in a borrower barcode match the significant digits of an item barcode.

Note: If your library has been configured to show borrower photos in the CKO window, the borrower's photo may also appear, if permitted by the borrower's BTYPE. If the borrower doesn't have a photo in his or her record, a placeholder image appears instead. For information on adding a photo to a borrower's record, see Editing a Borrower Record .

2 Identify the item and press ENTER or click OK.

Circulation checks out the item, sounds an audible signal, and displays the item and due date in the Items Out list box:

Note: If your system is set up to print single due date slips, one will automatically print for each item as you check it out.

3 If you want to see a list of all items currently checked out to the borrower, click All Items Out or choose CKO, All Items Out.

Your system administrator can set up the All Item Out display options either to show or to exclude “Lost” or “Claimed Returned” items (For instructions, see “Changing Borrower Display Options for a Location” in the “Changing Circulation Display Options” section of the Circulation Setup Guide.)

4 If you want to see a list of items currently checked out to members of the borrower's family group, click All Group Items Out or choose CKO, All Group Items Out.

Important: This option is available only if Family Group has been enabled in the matham table.

All Group Items Out displays the items belonging to those group members that the current borrower has permissions to view along with the items belonging to the current borrower (for more information, see Modifying a Borrower's Group Permissions). When viewing All Group Items Out, you can sort the list by borrower rather than by due date by choosing the CKO menu, Sort by Borrower.

5 You can get additional information from the Checkout window by clicking these buttons:
Blocks. This opens a list of current blocks for the borrower. (For more information, see Viewing a Borrower’s Current Blocks from Checkout.)
Edit Item. This lets you edit circulation information for the item you select in the list box. (For more information, see Viewing and Editing Item Information in Checkout or Changing the Due Date or Time During Checkout .)
6 You can create a new family group or manage an existing family group by choosing the Family Group button. (For more information, see Managing Family Groups.)
7 Repeat step 2 for any other items the borrower wants to check out.

You do not need to identify the borrower again for each item. Circulation retains the borrower until you identify another borrower.

8 Click End Session or choose CKO, End Session.

If the borrower owes any fees (for example, Rental Fees), the Session Payment window will appear (for details, see Using Session Payment). Either receive payment or waive the fee.

Note: You can enable or disable the End Session button on the Checkout window by selecting the CKO, Enable End Session menu option.

9 When you are through checking out items to the current borrower, press F11 to print a borrower receipt so the borrower has a record of what items were checked out and when they are due back. (For more information, see Printing Receipts.)

If you use another method to remind borrowers of item due dates, be sure to use it. (For example, you might need to stamp a due date slip or apply a due date sticker to the item.)

10 If you use a security system such as 3M or CheckPoint, treat the item before giving it to the borrower so that it will not set off the security system.

Note: If at any time you want to clear all of the borrower and checkout information from the Checkout window, click Clear. Circulation then displays a blank Checkout window.

 


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