Importing Borrowers Using a CSV

This article describes how to import a CSV file containing the borrower data into the library system. The purpose of this is to add several borrowers in one go rather than adding them one by one, which may be a very time consuming process if there are hundreds of new borrowers. Before this is carried out, ensure that any groups which have left have been moved to Leavers.

This topic does not explain how to obtain a CSV file from a management system. Details on how to create a CSV can be found in the topic Creating a CSV file from a Management System. Please ensure that a CSV file has been created in the appropriate format before continuing with the instructions in this topic.

Once a CSV has been created in the correct format, continue reading this topic that explains how to import a CSV file containing borrower data.

·From the menu bar at the top of the screen, click on Database / Intake.

·The student intake table will open. Click Import from the menu on the right of the screen.

·The main Import box will open.

·Firstly, select an import definition (also known as a 'mapping file') from the supplied list. There will be several shown and each have their own formatting rules. For example, the WBLS definition is a file containing a map to nearly all borrower fields in the library system. This definition can be used to import a lot of optional data such as the borrower Logon Name and Guardian details. Other definitions (like SIMS.NET for instance) only include the mandatory fields to import a borrower.

For more information about how to obtain a CSV file in the correct format, see the online knowledgebase here or use the student import wizard and then continue reading.

·Once selected, click the ellipsis or click Upload to browse to the location of the prepared CSV file.

·A windows dialog box will open, select the CSV file where this has been saved to and click Open.

·If the ellipsis was clicked in the previous step then click Upload to confirm the file selection. However, if the Upload button was clicked to select the CSV file this will have been confirmed automatically. Click Import to import the CSV file.

This may take several minutes depending on the amount of records the application has to process.

·Once the file has been imported, a box showing the results of the import will display:

Click OK to continue.

Any records that have not been matched with existing borrowers are imported into the Intake table ready to be transferred to borrowers. Full instructions on what to do next can be found in the topic Transferring Borrowers...