Borrowing through Collections

For customers who don't use or have access to an ILS (integrated library system), the Stacks Collections feature could be configured to mimic a service for searching and checking out resources. With this feature, logged-in users/patrons would have the ability to search collection items, as well as, filter list items by those which are available or those that have been checked out.

From a library management standpoint, Administrators can check these items in and out on behalf of the user/patron requesting the item, as well as run reports to view a list of all currently checked out items. 

Enabling Borrowing

Checking Items In/Out

Patrons

When viewing items, patrons can click on the item to see additional details associated with the item, for items that have already been checked out, patrons will be able to see this status and when the item is expected to be returned. For items that are available, users will see a note indicating they need to see a library admin for assistance.

Administrators

When viewing collection items, logged in Admins will see action buttons on the right to either check out available items, or return checked out items. Checked out items will also have a note indicating who checked the item out and its expected return date. 

To Checkout Items

1. Admins can search the collection item or browse for the item from the collections page
2. Once found, click the item to open the details view
3. Click the Checkout Item button
4. In the window that opens
   1. Select the Due Date
      1. By default this will be set to 2 weeks from the current date, however this setting is configurable when enabling this feature, and can also be overridden when checking an item out
   2. In the User loaned to field, search for and select the name of the user who is requesting the item
5. Click Checkout

To Return Checked Out Items

1. Admins can search the collection item or browse for the item from the collections page
2. Once found, click the item to open the details view
3. Click the Return Item button
4. In the window that opens select the Return Date, then click Return

Exporting a Loan Report

To export a loan report:

1. From the Dashboard, click the Collections tile
2. Find the collection by
   1. Browsing the list; OR
   2. Search the Collection by name
3. Once found, under the Operations column, click the drop-down arrow, then click List Collection Items
4. Click + Export loan report
   1. Important! This button will only appear for collections where the loan system has been enabled, as described above in the Enabling and Configuring Borrowing section
5. Once clicked, a .csv file will download
   1. This file will list all currently checked out items, data included in the file
      1. Title, User, Due Date, and whether the item is Overdue