Learning Objectives

• Explore special circulation features such as check item status and mark items used.

Check Item Status

Check Item Status makes it easy to know what to do with items that have been left out or left behind. This feature will notify staff of the next steps: reshelve the item, trap for hold, check in, or return to a student. To easily determine what the current status of an item is, scan the barcode of an item to receive current circulation information. 

1. Go to Staff > Circulation > Item Management > Check Item Status
2. Scan the item barcode. 
3. View the item information. If an item is checked out to a person or available to fulfill a hold, the system will alert you.  
4. Fix any issues. 

Try it out!

1. Scan an item barcode or type in a barcode once you've gone to Staff > Circulation > Item Management > Check Item Status.
2. View the item information. 
3. If there are any issues that can be fixed, take the steps necessary to fix the issue.

Mark Items Used

Sometimes items are used in the library without being checked out. With Mark Items Used, library staff can note usage even without the item(s) being checked out. Having an accurate picture of the items used in the library can help with budgeting and collection development. An item that doesn't get checked out, but is used multiple times throughout the year is an item you want to keep in your collection. Use Mark Items Used so the item's true usage is acknowledged. 

1. Go to Staff > Circulation > Item Management > Check Items Used.
2. Scan the item barcode.
3. View item information and note any issues that need to be addressed (item is checked out, fulfills a hold, etc...).
4. To check the number of times an item has been used within the library, go to Staff > Circulation > Search and search for the item.
5. Click the Item ID to open item details. 
6. Find the In House Uses data. 

Using the same item from above, practice using Check Items Used.

1. Navigate to Check Items Used.
2. Scan or type in the barcode used above.
3. Note the item information listed on the screen.
4. If you would like to see where the item count for Check Items Used is located, navigate back to the Catalog Search and search for the barcode/item.
5. Click on the correct Item ID and note the number listed for "In House Uses". This is how many times the item has been scanned to note how many times the item has been used within the library.

Receive Items in Transit

With Receive Transit, it is easy to route items to their intended destination. Whether the item is going back to the stacks, being placed on hold, or being delivered to a user at another school, with a simple scan library staff can know what to do with an item. 

1. Go to Staff > Circulation > Item Management > Receive Transit.
2. Scan the barcode of the item being received.
3. View any "Route to" information.
4. Follow standard procedures to direct the item to its destination.

User Claims Returned

If a user claims they have returned an item currently checked out to them, it is possible to mark the item as "claim_returned" while the item is searched for. The item will be assigned a claims returned date. If the library collects late fees, those fees will not continue to accrue beyond the date set. The item's status will change to "claim_returned" and this status will clear if the item is found and checked in. 

1. Go to Staff > Circulation > Search.
2. Search for the student or teacher.
3. View current checkouts under Items.
4. Locate the item being marked "claim_returned."
5. Click the kebab (or 3 dots) menu. Select "Mark Claimed Returned." 
6. Select the date the item was claimed to be returned and click Save. 
7. The item will be given a status of "claim_returned." 
8. If the item is found, check the item in. The status of "claim_returned" will be removed from the item and the item will be removed from the user's account. 
9. Periodically, or at least once a year, think about running the List Charges report to have a list of "claim_returned" items. This report can be found in the Circulation or All Circulation tab in Report and Notices in Workflows. Once you have a list, you can decide if you would like to remove these items or charge the user for a replacement. Contact your INFOhio Provider for help in making any further changes. 

A “Claims Returned Count” is retained in the user’s Patron Information so library staff can track if this is a reoccurring claim. This counter will continue to accumulate throughout the user's library history. If wanting to adjust or remove the value in this field, go to the Privilege tab found in Patron Information and adjust the value in the Claims Returned Count field. An override code will be required to save.