Patron Services Administration Overview

Polaris Administration settings control how Polaris data is categorized, used, and stored, and what functions are available to staff and patrons. You can make most administration settings by two methods: through the Administration Explorer, and through the appropriate workform for a specific record. Patron services administration includes specific settings for patron services and circulation functions. Many Patron Services Administration settings apply to both the Polaris staff client and Polaris Leap.

Note:
For information on the Patron Services Administration settings that affect Leap, see Polaris Leap Administration.

For more information on the features and functions for managing Polaris Patron Services, see the following topics:

Setting Circulation Permissions

Granting permissions for staff based on their library tasks.

Setting Patron Services Parameters and Profiles

Overview of patron services parameters and profiles and how to set them.

Defining Patron Account Features 

Setting up patron codes, user-defined fields, and patron custom data fields for patron records; NCIP mapping; setting defaults for patron registration and express registration Entering patron information during the check-out process as a service to new, unregistered patrons.; charging for patron registration; setting up patron messages; setting up patron photo identification and importing photos; options for duplicate detection, reading histories, deleting patron records; setting patron accounting functions; purging patron identification information from transaction logs.

Setting Up E-Commerce - Overview and Requirements

Setting up credit card processing.

Setting Up Circulation Workforms 

Specifying the data fields for the check-out and check-in workforms.

Setting Up Circulation Receipts

Setting up printed check-out and check-in receipts, Items Out receipts, fine receipts, hold slips/hold call slips, and in-transit slips; setting receipt printer control codes; Epson® ReStick™ printers; setting up eReceipts (e-mail and text message receipts).

Item Record Circulation Settings

Defining the item record settings (material types and circulation statuses) that affect circulation; mapping item material types to NCIP medium types; setting a “shelving” status for display purposes; displaying an item’s last borrower.

Circulation Permissions Reference

Specifying which library’s settings should control due date calculation, loan and request limits, and fine calculation.

Defining Loan Periods

Settings for calculating due dates, loan period codes, loan periods, end-of-term due dates.

Defining Fines and Fees

Fines and fees, including fine codes, fine amounts, fee descriptions, and replacement fees; setting default account actions for lost-and-recovered items; charging for checkout and renewal.

Set up basic operating features for Polaris PowerPAC

Setting up automated collection agency reporting; processing collection agency reports.

Setting Up Hold and ILL Loan Request Processing

Setting up hold requests routing; setting up holds and interlibrary loan processing; restricting holds on specific items.

Implementing and Using INN-Reach Integration

Overview and steps for implementing INN-Reach direct consortial borrowing with Polaris.

Defining Circ and Request Limit Blocks

Item and patron blocks; loan and request limit blocks; blocking for estimated accrued fines; material type group limits; blocks on patron-initiated renewals and ebook circulation; associated patron blocking.

Setting Up Floating Collections

Floating collections overview; designating floating collections; setting home and receiving branch policies; setting branch parameters; setup examples; reports.

Managing Offline Circulation 

Setting up Polaris to work offline; using Polaris offline; uploading offline transactions (Bookmobile).

Setting Statistical Codes for Reports 

Defining patron and item statistical codes for reporting purposes.

Managing Notification

Setting up overdue, billing, hold request, fine, combined, and routing notices (print, e-mail, text message, and phone notification); reminders and special announcements; generating print, e-mail, and text message notices.

Setting Up SIP Self-Check Circulation

Settings for SIP self-check systems.

Setting Up Course Reserves

Overview and set-up information for media dispenser circulation in the staff client and Polaris ExpressCheck.

Setting Up Course Reserves

Enabling and configuring Borrow by Mail request processing.

Setting Up Outreach Services

Configuring Outreach Services: setting up delivery modes and routes; disability and equipment options; selection list filters; list view column heads; reader ratings scale and packing list.

Setting Up Course Reserves

Setting up course reserve functions to manage reserving and circulating items for academic courses.

Circulation Permissions List

Reference list of circulation permissions as they appear in the Polaris Administration Explorer, Security view.

Set SIP self-check parameters

Reference list of Patron Services parameters as they appear in the Polaris Administration Explorer - Parameters, Patron Services tabbed page.

Patron Services Profiles Reference 

Patron Services profiles available at organization levels and reference list of Patron Services profiles as they appear in the Polaris Administration Explorer - Profiles, Patron Services tabbed page.

Set SIP self-check parameters

Reference list of Notification parameters as they appear in the Polaris Administration Explorer - Parameters, Notification tabbed page.

Request Parameters Reference 

Reference list of Request parameters as they appear in the Polaris Administration Explorer - Parameters, Request tabbed page.

Self-Check Parameters Reference 

Reference list of SelfCheck Unit parameters as they appear in the Polaris Administration Explorer - Parameters, SelfCheck Unit tabbed page.

Credit Card Payment Parameters Reference 

Reference list of Credit Card Payment parameters as they appear in the Polaris Administration Explorer - Parameters, Credit Card Payment tabbed page.