Setting Up SIP Self-Check Circulation

Polaris supports two types of self-check systems: those that rely on SIP protocol as the interface between the self-check unit and Polaris, and Polaris® ExpressCheck™ units, which interact with Polaris directly.

Note:
Polaris ExpressCheck workstations and the client application are available through contract from Innovative Interfaces. Some of the self-check material types in the Self-Check Material Types policy table also apply to ExpressCheck. For information about setting up Polaris ExpressCheck units, see the Polaris ExpressCheck Administration Guide.

SIP self-check units have specific media classifications for each material type the library circulates via self-checkouts. When you are setting up the self-check interface, you associate each Polaris material type with a self-check media type; indicate whether the media is magnetic and if the security strip can be desensitized; if necessary, block certain material types from being checked out; and specify the item circulation statuses that you do not want to block circulations.

To set up self-check circulation in Polaris, do the following:

• Use the Self-Check Material Types policy table to associate Polaris material types with self-check media types.
• Use the SIP Payment Types policy table to associate SIP payment types and Polaris payment methods.
• Use the SIP Self Check Unit parameters to:
  • Identify the staff member for self-check unit transactions.
  • Specify the staff login ID and password
  • Identify conditions that block patrons from checking out items
  • Identify conditions that prevent items from being checked out
  • Specify the messages that appear on the self-check unit screen and on printed logs
  • Specify other self-check unit operating conditions, such as the number of retries allowed, the inactivity time-out period, and whether patron passwords are required