Lending to Another Library

Inter-library Loan is the process whereby a patron of one library can borrow books, DVDs, music, etc. and/or receive photocopies of documents that are owned by another library.

This documents how you can use LibraryWorld to lend items to another library.

First, you need to set up policies for a new patron type 'Library' and then create a patron record for each library you want to lend to using the patron type 'Library'. Then check out to the patron (library) using the normal circulation procedures.

Detailed setup procedures:

1. Go to Settings->Policies, and add a new Patron Type Limit named 'Library'. Set Max Checkouts and Max Overdues as appropriate, probably higher than regular patrons. This will apply to all 'Library' patrons.
2. Add a new Loan Period and Fine policy, making sure the patron type field says 'Library'. The loan period should be longer than normal.
3. Go to the Patrons module and add a New Patron. Enter an abbreviated name for the library in the Name field. Enter the contact name in the Address 1 field and normal address information in the rest of the fields. Make sure the patron type field says 'Library'. Also, make sure you include an email address.

Checking the item out:

1. Go to Circulation and click Checkout (usually defaults).
2. Enter the abbreviated library name as entered in the patron record and press the Enter key.
3. Scan or type the barcode number for each item being checked out to that library, carefully reviewing the circulation due dates to verify that the patron type policies for 'Library' are taking effect.

To run a report of all items checked out to other libraries:

1. Go to the Patrons module, select 'Type' from the drop-down menu, enter 'Library' and press the Enter key.
2. View the list of patron records of type Library. This is your findset.
3. Go to Reports and run any of the Checked Out, Overdue or even Email reports being careful to choose the 'Patron Findset Only' option before executing. This will run the report for only those patrons included in the find set you created.