Set SIP self-check parameters

Self-check parameters can be set at the system, library, and branch level. Each organization level may have a different set of parameters, depending on where the self-check units are installed. Set the parameters at the System level if your library system has a single self-check unit installed or if all your self-check units use the same settings. If each branch uses the units differently, set the parameters at the branch level only.

To set self-check parameters:

Tip:
You can work with self-check parameters from the Administration Explorer or from an organization workform. The self-check unit does not need to be installed to set the self-check parameters in Polaris Administration.

1. In the Administration Explorer tree view, expand the organization folder and select Parameters.
2. Select the SelfCheck Unit tab in the details view.
3. Set Allow SIP processing to Yes.
4. Set the following system identification parameters:

• Assigned staff member - The library staff member listed for self-check circulation transactions.
• SIP default workstation
• SIP Login Password - The staff password needed to log in to self-check.
• SIP Login User ID - The staff user name needed to log in to self-check.

5. Select the Default security marker value, and choose the type of security marker your library uses. Select None if your library does not use security markers.
6. Double-click Patron blocks to open the dialog box, and set and save the patron block options:

• Free text blocks - This parameter affects the SIP messages Patron Status and Patron Information. Many SIP check-out devices check the Patron Status or Patron Information message before attempting to perform a checkout. On these devices, if this parameter is checked, a patron with free text blocks will be blocked from checkout. Checked by default (patron will be blocked).
• Library-assigned blocks - Checked by default (patron will be blocked).
• Blocking notes - Checked by default (patron will be blocked).
• Associated patron blocks - Blocks SIP self-check transactions by patrons with blocked associated patron records. See Associated Patron Blocking. Unchecked by default (patron will not be blocked if associated patrons are blocked).
• Collection agency blocks - Blocks SIP self-check workstation transactions by patrons with collection agency blocks. Checked by default (patron will be blocked).
• Verify patron data block - Blocks SIP self-check workstation transactions for patrons whose records require verification.
• Maximum claims - Blocks patrons who have exceeded the number of claims in this box.

7. Double-click Check-out: item options and set and save the following item options:

Note:
SIP circulation uses the settings in the Patron/Material Type Loan Limit Blocks policy table to determine check-out blocks based on maximum items out, material type limits, maximum overdues, and similar settings. See Defining Loan and Request Limit Blocks. Material type group limits also apply to SIP circulation. See Defining Material Type Group Limits.

• Deny checkout if item is from another branch - If checked, items from other branches cannot be checked out from the unit.
• Allow check-out of items with free text blocks - If checked (default), an item with a free text block can be checked out. If unchecked, items with free text blocks cannot be checked out.
• Allow check-out of items with library-assigned blocks - If checked (default), an item with a library-assigned block can be checked out without interruption. If unchecked, items with a library-assigned block cannot be checked out.
• Allow check-out of items with the selected circ statuses - Select the circulation statuses that you want to allow to circulate via the self-check unit.

8. Set the additional options to control self-check circulations:

• Allow checkouts during renewal - Permits a patron to check out an item that is recorded as already checked out to another patron.
• Checkins ok - Permits check-in at the self-check station.
• Checkouts ok - Permits check-out at the self-check station.
• Deny checkout if there are notes - Prevents check-out if the patron record has a Blocking note.
• Holds ok - Permits hold requests at the self-check station.
• Renewals ok - Permits renewals at the self-check station.

Note:
Renewals via SIP are blocked as they would be in PAC, according to the thresholds set in the Patron Services profile Patron initiated circulation: Blocking conditions.

Note:
To prevent check-out of specific item material types, use the Self Check Material Types policy table. See Add a self-check material type entry.

9. If your library charges for checkouts/renewals, double-click Check-out: Charge options to open the dialog box, and set and save the following options for items that are chargeable:

Note:
The system uses the SIP settings for the workstation’s branch, but uses the chargeable settings for the item’s assigned branch. For more information about setting up charges for checkout and renewal, see Charging for Checkout and Renewal.

• Allow check-out if item is chargeable
• Allow renewal if item is chargeable 
• Auto-charge for renew all

Note:
If the material type is blocked from check-out at SIP self-check units, that setting takes precedence over any chargeable policies and the transaction is stopped.

10. Set these parameters to Yes or No to specify whether claimed items can be checked in at the self-check unit:

• Check-in: Claim Never Had, allow checkin
• Check-in: Claim Returned, allow checkin

11. Set the following self-check operational conditions as needed:

• SIP uses patron passwords - Requires patron passwords for patrons to use self-check.
• Retries allowed - Number of times the self-check unit attempts to resend a message to the client workstation. Retries may be attempted when there are network problems or if the client software goes offline.
• Time-out period: 000 (none) - 999 (not known) - Number of seconds (in tenths of a second) that the self-check unit pauses before retrying or canceling a transaction that does not receive a response from the client software.
• Status update ok (can block a patron, etc.) - Permits a patron’s status to be updated, allowing the unit to create a patron block under limited circumstances. For example, if the self-check unit is equipped to detect tampering (such as swapping out books in a stack) or if the patron forges a card, the unit applies a free text block to the patron record (Patron was blocked by a selfcheck unit) and stops the check-out. Set this option to Yes. It facilitates testing in some situations and has no impact on check-out processing in units that do not have tamper detection.
• Use error correction - Permits a checksum and sequence number at the end of every message sent to and from the software, which helps maintain data integrity and assists in troubleshooting. The recommended setting is Yes.
• SIP2 extensions enabled - Enables specific SIP2 functionality for the self-check units of certain vendors. If you are not sure what your equipment requires, contact your Polaris Site Manager to determine if this parameter should be set to Yes.

12. Allow or prevent messages by setting these parameters:

• To allow messages to be printed on receipts, set Use printer messages to Yes.
• To allow messages to be displayed on the screen, set Use screen messages to Yes.

13. Add You Saved messages (see Set SIP self-check parameters) to receipts with these settings:

• Set You Saved options. See Set SIP self-check parameters.
• To include the You Saved message in the self-check printed receipt, set Use printer messages to Yes, and set Check-out: Append you saved message to Checkout Printer message to Yes
• To include the You Saved message in the self-check screen display, set Use screen messages to Yes, and set Append you saved message to Checkout Screen message to Yes.

14. Specify the messages that the self-check unit supports by setting the appropriate System supports the . . . message parameters to Yes or No:

Note:
These controls refer to messages defined in the SIP protocol and determine which ones are sent as part of normal SIP processing. Refer to the SIP standard for message definitions. All message parameters should be set Yes unless your Polaris Site Manager specifically instructs otherwise.

15. To change the text for any of the printer or screen messages, double-click the appropriate message parameter value, type a new message over the existing value and press Enter.
16. Select File | Save to save the settings. Save complete appears in the status bar.

See also:

Self-Check Parameters Reference - Lists and describes all self-check unit parameters.

Managing Hold Requests - The following settings on the Holds options dialog box apply to self-check units as well as the staff client:

• Trap at check-out on the Staff Client & PAC tab
• Unclaimed requests, Delete on the Terms tab

Waiving Fines Automatically at Circulation - The settings for the following Patron Services parameters affect SIP self- check units as well as the staff client:

• Overdues: Clear fine if recovered at check-out
• Overdues: Clear fine if recovered at renewal

Defining Loan and Request Limit Blocks - SIP self-check units use your library's settings in the Patron Loan and Request Limits table for maximum fines, items out, items overdue, and request limits.