Identifying a Borrower in Checkout

When you check out an item, you need to identify the borrower. You do this by retrieving information from the borrower record. There are several ways to find a borrower record in Circulation:

Scan the barcode label on the borrower’s library card.
Manually enter the barcode number or second ID.
Search for the borrower record using search criteria.

The easiest way to find a borrower is to scan the borrower’s barcode label. There are times, however, when this is not possible. (For example, the barcode label may be too dirty for the scanner to read.) At those times, you can enter the borrower’s barcode manually from the keyboard.

If you normally enter barcode numbers manually, rather than with a barcode scanner, your system administrator can program Horizon to recognize a barcode prefix. Normally, the first several barcode digits will be the same for all borrowers at your library. These first numbers are a barcode prefix. If a barcode prefix is set up in Horizon, you only need to enter in the last few numbers (referred to as the significant digits), rather than the whole barcode.

If the borrower’s library card is unavailable, you can look up their information. You can search by an alphabetical last name listing or by keywords from the borrower’s name. You can also search by borrower alias, borrower record number, or by the barcode of an item that the borrower has checked out. These search criteria are library-defined.

Many libraries set up a second ID in addition to the barcode which can be entered in the Borrower Barcode field to identify a borrower. (For example, some libraries use borrowers’ social security numbers for second IDs.) Second IDs are sometimes referred to as borrower aliases. (For more information on second IDs at your library, see your system administrator.)

Searching for a borrower’s name is the most common way to search for borrower information. Once you choose the name in the borrower records, Horizon either sends the chosen record to Checkout or first opens a variety of windows, such as the Current Blocks window for that borrower. You can deal with the blocks at that time or send the borrower record to Checkout (if appropriate), so that you can complete the checkout process.

To identify a borrower in Checkout

1 Open the Checkout window.
2 Do one of these options:
Scan the barcode label on the borrower’s library card.
Type the barcode number in the Borrower Barcode field.
Start a borrower search.

To start a borrower search, follow these steps:

a If you want to restrict your search to only those borrowers registered at your location, choose Borrower, Search This Location Only.

Note: Searches continue to be restricted until you deselect this option.

b Press F4 or choose Borrower, Find Borrower.

Horizon displays the Search window:

Your system administrator can define the search indexes displayed in the Search window.

c Highlight the search index you want in the Indexes list.
d Enter the required information in the Search for field and click OK.

One of these things happens:

If you choose a search index that requires an exact match, such as the borrower number or the borrower alias, Horizon returns the borrower record results to the Checkout window.
If you choose an alphabetical search index, or another index that brings up a list, Horizon brings up a complete list of borrowers, sorted according to the search criteria. Double-click on the borrower you are searching for. Horizon returns the borrower record results to the Checkout window.

Note: If the name you enter into an alphabetical search index does not exist in the borrower database, the selector arrow will point at the name that is closest in spelling to the one you entered. You can then cancel the search and add the borrower to the database. (For more information, see “Doing a Basic Search” in the “Searching” chapter of the Horizon Basics Guide.)

Horizon displays the selected name, ID #, and borrower type (BTYPE) code and description in the Borrower display field of the Checkout window. With the borrower name entered, you are ready to continue with your Circulation task.

Note: If your system administrator has set it up, Horizon displays additional borrower information, such as the borrower’s address or phone number. (For setup instructions, see “Displaying Additional Borrower Information in Checkout” in the “Changing Circulation Display Options” section of the Circulation Setup Guide.)

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

 


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