Choosing Input Devices for Express Lane

When setting up Express Lane, you can configure your library's Express Lane stations to operate with a variety of different input devices, such as a barcode scanner, keyboard, or touchscreen monitor. When choosing which input devices to use, you must consider the limitations they impose on patron functions and staff-only functions in Express Lane.

Available Input Devices for Express Lane

The default setup for an Express Lane station calls for a barcode scanner, a keyboard, and a mouse to be attached to the computer. However, you can equip Express Lane stations with a barcode scanner and only one of the following:

• an external keyboard
• a mouse
• an external numeric keypad
• a touchscreen monitor

You can also provide the following alternatives to barcode scanners:

• To provide an alternate patron identification method, you can request that user IDs be enabled for Express Lane.
• To provide an alternate item identification method, you can set up RFID technology for use with Express Lane by acquiring Item Status API.

Considerations When Choosing Input Devices for Patron Functions

As you decide how to set up Express Lane stations at your library, you will need to consider which input devices are required for the patron functions and features your library uses.

1. If patrons can start an Express Lane session with a user ID, you must provide a way for patrons to enter their user ID by attaching and/or enabling one of the following:
   • external keyboard
   • touchscreen keyboard display and mouse or touchscreen monitor
2. If your library requires that patrons use PINs when starting a session, you must provide a way for patrons to enter their PINs at Express Lane stations by attaching and/or enabling one of the following:
   • external keyboard
   • external keypad
   • touchscreen keypad display and mouse or touchscreen monitor
   • touchscreen keyboard display and mouse or touchscreen monitor

3. If the Display Patron Messages feature, the Automatic Renewal feature, or the Choose Due Slip Delivery Method feature is enabled, you must provide a way for patrons to acknowledge on-screen messages, such as a mouse or a touchscreen monitor. For more information about these features, see Starting a Patron Session in Express Lane and Ending a Patron Session in Express Lane.
4. If patrons can view their account information, patrons must use either a mouse or touchscreen to choose a patron account information button.
5. If you set up Express Lane stations without either a mouse or touchscreen, patrons will not be able to directly select the Sign Out button to end the session. However, Innovative can change the Sign Out button text to instruct the patron to use the keyboard's Enter button instead.

Considerations When Choosing Input Devices for Staff Functions

When choosing input devices, you will need to consider how staff will exit Express Lane.

• If staff must enter a login and password to exit Express Lane, you must attach a keyboard and mouse.
• To use an exit sequence to exit Express Lane, you will need to use an input device that allows you to choose an Enter button, such as a keyboard or keypad.

See also:

Setting Up Express Lane