Web Client Circulation
The Circulation page in the ILLiad Web Client provides a streamlined interface for managing physical material transactions. Similar to Web Circ in previous versions, it allows staff to quickly process check-outs, check-ins, renewals, and status updates.
Accessing the Circulation Page
Navigate to the Circulation page through the main navigation menu in the Web Client.
Page Layout
The Circulation page consists of two main sections:
- Input Fields (Left side): Fields for scanning barcodes and selecting operations
- Transaction Table (Right side): Displays results of scanned transactions
Available Operations
The Circulation page supports the following operations for physical materials:
Check Out
Process a request for patron pickup, marking it as checked out to the user.
Check In
Record the return of a physical item from a patron.
Renew
Extend the checkout period for a currently checked-out item.
Mark Received
Indicate that requested material has been received from the lending library.
Mark Returned
Mark that borrowed material has been returned to the lending library.
Using the Circulation Page
Basic Workflow
- Select the desired operation (Check Out, Check In, Renew, Mark Received, or Mark Returned)
- Optionally, enter text in the Notes field if you want to add a note to the transaction
- Scan or enter the Transaction Number (TN) barcode
- Review the result in the Transaction Table
Transaction Number (TN) Entry
Scanning:
- Use a barcode scanner to scan the TN barcode on the physical material or request slip
- The system will automatically process the transaction after scanning
Manual Entry:
- Type the Transaction Number directly into the field
- Press Enter or click the appropriate button to process
Adding Notes to Transactions
The Notes field allows you to add contextual information to any transaction:
- Enter text in the Notes field before scanning or entering a TN
- When a TN is processed, the note text will be automatically added to that transaction
- Notes are useful for documenting:
- Condition of materials
- Special handling instructions
- Communication with patrons
- Issues or concerns
The Notes field persists between scans, so remember to clear it if you don't want the same note applied to multiple transactions.
Transaction Table
The Transaction Table appears on the right side of the page and displays information about each processed transaction.
Table Contents
For each scanned transaction, the table displays:
- Transaction Number: The TN that was processed
- Operation: The action that was performed (Check Out, Check In, etc.)
- Status: Whether the operation was successful or encountered an issue
- Message: Details about the transaction result
- Action Buttons: Override buttons when applicable (see below)
Success Messages
When an operation completes successfully, the table will display:
- A confirmation message
- Transaction details
- Any relevant status updates
Warnings and Override Functionality
Some operations may require staff intervention before completing. In these cases, the Transaction Table will display:
- A warning message explaining the issue
- An Override button that must be clicked to proceed with the operation
Common Override Scenarios
Blocked Users:
- When attempting to check out material to a user with blocks or restrictions
- The warning will indicate the reason for the block
- Staff can review the situation and click Override to proceed if appropriate
Other Validation Issues:
- Expired patron accounts
- Maximum checkout limits reached
- Overdue materials
- Other policy violations
Only use the Override function when you have verified that it is appropriate to bypass the warning. Override actions may require special permissions depending on your institution's configuration.
Best Practices
Efficient Processing
- Pre-select the operation you'll be performing most frequently
- Use barcode scanners for faster, more accurate TN entry
- Review the Transaction Table after each scan to confirm success
- Clear the Notes field when no longer needed
Error Handling
- Read warning messages carefully before using Override
- Document unusual situations using the Notes field
- Contact patrons when issues arise during circulation transactions
- Verify patron information before overriding blocks or warnings
Notes Usage
- Be concise but descriptive in notes
- Document special circumstances that might be important later
- Include relevant details such as damaged materials or missing pages
- Clear notes regularly to avoid accidentally applying old notes to new transactions
Differences from Desktop Client
While the Web Client Circulation page provides similar functionality to the desktop client, there are some differences in the interface:
- Streamlined layout optimized for browser use
- Responsive design that works on various screen sizes
- Transaction history visible in the table for the current session
- Modern UI elements following current web standards
The underlying functionality and transaction processing remain consistent with the desktop client, ensuring familiar workflows for staff.