Using Circulate

Circulate is a feature of iMLS, new to version 4, that allows books to be issued and returned using the mobile app in both Online mode (when a cellular / WiFi connection is established) and Offline modes (when a cellular / WiFi connection is not established).

Note that the ability to access Circulate is controlled by the Security Group that the user logged in to iMLS belongs to, similar to Stock Check and Quick Cat. If the user has the permission to access "Circulate" in their Security Group then it will be available when logged in to iMLS (the permission can be assigned from the Management area). In addition, there is also a device setting that can control access to Circulate meaning that anyone who logs in has access to it, regardless of the permissions set in their security group. See the topic Settings in iMLS for more information about this.

The steps in this topic explain how to use Circulate, Multi Issue, Multi Return and it also discusses using these in Online and Offline modes. Firstly, access Circulate from the main menu by following the steps below.

·Log in to iMLS as a user who has permissions to access Circulate.

·Once logged in, using the left menu scroll down and tap Circulate.

·The app will download a list of resources currently catalogued on the system.

For more details about using or learning about the aspects of Circulate in iMLS, click on the links below.

- Issuing and Returning Resource in Online Mode

- Using Multi Issue

- Using Multi Return

- Offline Circulate

Issuing and Returning Resources in Online Mode

The instructions in this section explain how to issue and return resources when the app is functioning when in Online mode. For more information about the Offline mode, see the topic Offline Mode in iMLS.

Returning

·In Circulate, type the number of the resources that you wish to issue and tap Done. Alternatively, scan the resource barcode with a Bluetooth barcode scanner provided by MLS or use the devices camera to scan the barcode label on the book. Note that the Title, book cover and Author of the resource display when the app is running in online mode and a book has been found. If the app is running in Offline Mode then the book cover will not be shown.

·Notice that the option to Return the resource is now available. If the resource is on loan, tap the Return button to return the resource to stock. The return button will display irrespective of whether the resource is actually on loan or not.

When the Return button is pressed, if the resource is on loan then the app will show a prompt showing that the item has been returned at the bottom of the screen like in the picture below.

·When in online mode, the system is able to check the live library data and determine whether the book is on loan or not. If the resource you have tried to issue is not on loan then a message will be shown advising that this resource could not be issued.

Issuing

·Issuing a resource to a borrower is very similar to returning but with an extra step. Once the book details have been loaded as per the above, type in the number associated to the borrower and tap Done. Alternatively, if you have their library card, use the devices camera to scan the barcode or use a supplied Bluetooth scanner. Notice now that the borrower name, photograph and Group are displayed to indicate that the correct borrower has been located.

·The Issue button is now available. Tap this button to issue the resource.

The app will show a confirmation of this before clearing the text boxes for the next resource to be typed in.