Set Blocks on Patron-Initiated and eContent Circulation

Note:
Patrons are blocked according to the Governing library for patron blocks setting in the Consortium Circulation parameter.

To set patron and item blocks on eContent checkout and physical item renewals from PAC or by telephone:

1. In the Administration Explorer tree view, open the Profiles folder for the organization, and select the Patron Services tab in the details view.
2. Double-click Patron initiated circulation: Blocking conditions. The Patron Initiated Circulation Blocking Conditions dialog box opens with the Patron Blocks tab displayed.

3. On the Patron Blocks tab, select from the following options related to the patron record:

• Free text blocks - Blocks patrons whose records contain free-text blocks.
• Money owed - Blocks patrons whose total charges are greater than a specified amount. If you select Money owed, select either Over 2nd level fine amount, or select Over and type an amount.

Note:
The second level fine amount depends on the setting for the governing library for patron blocks. For information about setting the governing library, see Set the governing library for circ transactions. For information about setting the second level fine amount, see List and modify loan and request limit entries.

• Collection agency blocks - Blocks patrons whose accounts are in collection.
• Verify borrower blocks - Blocks patrons whose records require staff to verify the patron’s identity.
• At least.... lost items - Blocks patrons who have one or more lost items. If you select this option, set the number of lost items that activates the block.
• At least.... overdue items - Blocks patrons who have one or more overdue items. If you select this option, set the number of overdue items that activates the block. All renewals and ebook circulations by the patron are blocked if the patron has the specified number of overdue items, even if other items are not overdue.
• At least.... long overdue items - Blocks patrons who have one or more long overdue items. If you select this option, set the number of long overdue items that activates the block. All renewals and ebook circulations by the patron are blocked if the patron has the specified number of long overdue items, even if other items are not overdue.

Note:
The period after which an overdue item changes to “long overdue” is set with the Patron Services parameter Overdues: # of days until long overdue. You can set the parameter at the system, library, or branch level.

• At least.... current claims - Blocks patrons who have one or more current claims that they have returned or never had items that are still shown as checked out. If you select this option, set the number of current claims that activates the block.
• At least.... total claims - Block patrons who have one or more total claims that they have returned or never had items that are still shown as checked out, regardless of whether or how the claims have been resolved. If you select this option, set the number of total claims that activates the block.
• Library-assigned blocks - Select any library-assigned blocks that, when they appear in the patron record, should block PAC and telephone renewals and ebook circulation.
• Patron code blocks - Select patron codes that should be blocked from making PAC and telephone renewals or checking out ebooks.

4. Click the Item Blocks tab. The Item Blocks tabbed page displays options that block renewals and ebook circulation according to conditions related to the item record.

 

5. Set the item record conditions that should block renewals:

• Has a free text block - Blocks renewals or (ebook circulation) on any item with a free-text block.
• Is overdue - Blocks renewal on any overdue item.

  Is long overdue - Blocks renewal on any long-overdue items.

Note:
The period after which an overdue item changes to “long overdue” is set with the Patron Services parameter Overdues: # of days until long overdue. You can set the parameter at the system, library, or branch level.

• Library-assigned blocks - Select any library-assigned blocks for the item’s assigned branch that should block PAC and telephone renewals and ebook circulation when they appear in the item record.

6. Click OK in the dialog box. The Administration Explorer appears.
7. Select File > Save to save any changes. The status bar indicates that the record is saved.

Related Information

• Patron blocks - Library-assigned blocks available for patron records are defined in the Patron Blocks policy table. See Defining Patron Block Descriptions.
• Item blocks - Library-assigned blocks available for item records are defined in the Item Block Descriptions database table. See Designating Floating Collections.
• Loan limit blocks, including fine limits - Loan, fine, and request limits are set in the Patron/Material Type Loan Limit Blocks policy table. See Defining Loan and Request Limit Blocks.
• Other blocks on self-check circulation - For SIP self-check equipment, see Set SIP self-check parameters. For Polaris ExpressCheck, see the Polaris ExpressCheck Administration Guide.