Add a fine amount

To add a fine amount to the Fines policy table:

Note:
The default fine amount, default maximum fine, and default grace period are set with the Patron Services parameter Fine and Loan period defaults, and when you add a new fine code the default value is used until you change it. If for some reason a fine amount cannot be calculated, the setting for the system-level parameter Undefined Fine Amount is used. This setting is also used automatically when a new organization or patron code is added to the table.

  1. In the Administration Explorer, open the Policy Tables folder for the organization, and select Fines. The Fines table is displayed.

Note:
To better manage memory, a program-defined row limit determines whether this table can be opened at a specific organizational level. For example, if the table is opened at the system level and would require more than the limit (comprising entries from all branches) to be loaded, you will see a message advising you to open the table at a lower organizational level.

  1. Click btnInsert00491.gif to display the Insert Fines dialog box.
  2. Select the organization for which you are assigning the fine in the Organization box.

Note:
If the Fines policy table is opened at the branch level, only the branch name is displayed in the Organization list.

  1. Select the patron code for the fine amount in the Patron Code box.
  2. Select a fine name in the Fine Code box to associate with the patron code shown in the Patron Code box. The options available in the Fine Code box depend on the organization you selected. See Setting Fine Codes.

Note:
If a relationship between the patron code and fine code cannot be found in the Fine Code policy table, Polaris uses the setting in the Patron Services parameter Undefined fine amount, which is set at the system level. The default value is $5.00. This value is also used to automatically populate the table if a new branch or patron code is added.

  1. In the Amount box, type the amount of money to fine for a single loan period unit for the item.

Example:
The loan period unit for a certain type of item is daily. To set up a fine of 10 cents per day, type $0.10 in the Amount box.

Loan period units are defined in the Loan Period policy table. See Defining Loan Period Durations. Polaris uses the loan period unit for which an item was charged and the value you put in the Amount box to calculate the fine.

  1. In the Maximum Fine box, type the total amount that can be fined for items associated with this fine description and charged to the selected patron code.
  2. In the Grace Units box, type the number of loan period units allowed for an overdue item before Polaris begins calculating a fine.

Note:
The actual time specified by the Grace Units setting depends on the loan period unit used when the item was checked out. For example, if the item is checked out for 14 days and the grace unit is 1, then the grace period is one day. Any items returned the day after they were due are not charged an overdue fine. A grace period of 0 means that items must be returned by the end of the date they are due. Otherwise, overdue charges apply. Loan period units are defined in the Loan Period policy table.

  1. Click OK in the dialog box. The Fines policy table appears with the new fine name. The status bar indicates that the modification is pending.
  2. Select File | Save to save your changes. The status bar indicates that the record is saved.

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