There are three circulation types that can occur during checkout on a Patron’s account: normal (cataloged) checkout, pre-cataloged checkout, and non-cataloged type checkout.
First, we’ll look at how to check out these item types, and then how to close out the check out session.
“Normal” Circulation #
A “normal” checkout is when a cataloged item (has a barcode and is found in the catalog) is checked out to the Patron.
To check out a cataloged item to a Patron, access their account and then under the Check Out tab (which should open first by default), scan or type the item barcode in the barcode field. Items will begin to appear in the grid below as they are checked out.
Pre-cataloged Circulation #
When you scan a barcode that isn’t in the catalog, the pre-catalog function will appear. You will enter temporary data based on the item in hand including the title, author, ISBN, and circulation modifier.
Checking out pre-cataloged items from the check out screen #
- The Patron Account opens to the Check Out function tab. Scan the item barcode.
- A window will open stating: “Barcode was mis-scanned or is a non-cataloged item.”
- Cancel the popup and try scanning the barcode again.
6. If still unsuccessful, enter title and author information with ISBN if available. Select the appropriate Circulation Modifier.
NOTE: Enter information in ALL CAPS as a visual cue it is a pre-cataloged item. When checking out an ILL from a non-Evergreen Indiana library, edit the item’s title when entering the pre-cat record to include “ILL-No Renewals” as part of the title.
Click Precat Checkout to check the item out to the Patron’s account.
Non-cataloged Items #
Non-cataloged items may be more familiar as Ephemeral items – they are those items that libraries do not wish to catalog, but do wish to track for circulation statistics. These items are checked out with a Due Date but when the Due Date expires, the items disappear from the Patron’s record. No fines accrue on non-cataloged items but circulation statistics are collected.
Checking Out Non-cataloged Items from the Check Out screen #
Retrieve the Patron’s account by barcode or by a name search. Within Check Out, click on Barcode to open the non-cataloged items selection list.
Select the item from the list; the box for the barcode will become grayed out. Click Submit.
In the pop-up, enter the number of items being checked out. Click OK.
The items are added to the Check Out list with a normal Due Date.
Under Items Out, you will find the non-cataloged item under the Non-Cataloged Circulations tab. They will disappear from the Patron’s account once the item’s default circulation duration has passed.
Completing check out #
Technically speaking, the check out process is completed as soon as you have scanned the barcode and it is registered on the Check Out/Items Out tab. However, to initialize a printed or emailed check out receipt, you must “finish” the transaction.
To do so, click the Done button below the check out grid. This will either load a printer prompt to print the receipt, print the receipt without a prompt if Hatch is installed, or if the Patron has selected Email checkout receipts be default? in their account, a receipt will be emailed to them. Then the account will close and you will be returned to the check out screen.
Clicking the arrow next to Done will provide more options:
- No Receipt will bypass the print job and close out the Patron account,
- Email Receipt will allow staff to manually send a receipt via email if the Patron does not have the option selected in their account, and
- Print Receipt will print the receipt to the designated printer.
The Quick Receipt option allows the check out session to close, but leaves the Patron account open. This is useful when the Patron wishes to renew other items or place holds.