Adlib Loans Module

The Adlib Loans module is one of a number of optional modules available for Adlib Library. Naturally, the Adlib Loans module is designed to fully integrate with the other Adlib Library modules, such as the Catalogue, Acquisitions, Serials and Web Access modules. This text is an introduction to the Adlib Loans module.

Integrated

Copy details entered via the catalogue are saved in a Copies database, from which the copies can be lent out directly. Therefore there is a link from the catalogue record to a corresponding copy. This means that a copy’s current loan status is directly visible in the catalogue, allowing you to check when a loaned copy can be expected back in the library. Component Loans module files, such as the borrower file and the letters file, are shared with other Adlib Library modules, saving both time and storage space.

Compleet & flexibel

Like all Adlib products, the Loans module features highly comprehensive and flexible functionality. If required, you can modify and extend the module using the toolkit supplied. For instance, you could adjust the structure of the borrower record or the layout of a reminder letter, or generate extra reports for statistical purposes. In a nutshell, the Loans module can be customized to meet your specific wishes and requirements

User-friendly

For management functions, the Loans module uses the Adlib for Windows program. This means that you have all the features of Adlib Library, such as clearly structured screens, context-sensitive help and extensive validation. Working with the Loans module is very similar to working with the catalogue, so you’ll be conversant with it in no time. Loans, returns and reservations can be handled by entering just two numbers: one for borrower identification and one for the material. While data can of course be entered manually, the Loans module supports all current types of bar codes and bar code readers to make transactions even faster.

Fines and lending fees

Fines and loan fees are both supported. You can create as many fines tables as you wish. By linking these tables to borrower categories, you can have fines calculated per loan category and per borrower type. Fines and loan fees are calculated automatically, and a payment remains outstanding until you either waive the amount or record it as paid

Reminders and notices

The Loans module prints out reminder letters and notifications automatically. As well as on paper, these can also be sent by e-mail. You can modify the texts yourself, or add new letters. You can send different types of letters to different types of borrowers. This is particularly handy, for example, if you want to send letters in different languages, or to internal and external borrowers.

Support for multiple library locations

It is possible for multiple library locations to use the same Adlib catalogue simultaneously. Each branch can determine its own categories, limits, fines, letter texts, and opening times.

Statistics

All transactions are recorded daily in a statistics file, which you can use to generate reports about a period of your choice. All transactions are established per borrower category and per loans category. Reports can be produced on both a daily and a cumulative basis.

An overview of the possiblities

Flexible limits and terms

The Loans module allows you to create different categories for loan materials and for borrowers. These combine to make the structure of each loans system extremely flexible. Loan categories are assigned to copies; this category is therefore often, although not necessarily, related to material type. Borrower categories are linked to borrowers. By linking loans categories to borrower categories, you can establish per borrower types, for instance, you can specify how many items of a certain loan category a borrower is allowed to borrow, and for how long. In addition to material-related limits, you can specify global loans and reservation limits. You can have as many categories as you require.

Transactions

Transactions relating to loans, reservations, returns and fines handling, are of course supported as standard. As soon as you enter a borrower number or name, you can see what and how much that borrower has borrowed and reserved. Outstanding payments are also immediately visible. The date of return is calculated automatically on the basis of the limits you set, but you can still change this date if you wish after a transaction. Returns can take place either anonymously, using the copy number or bar code, or via the borrower. Via the borrower, a whole pile of books can be returned or renewed with a single action. Reservations can be made both on a specific copy and on title number. With the latter option, a reservation is placed for all copies of a title, and the first copy returned is used for the reservation. The Loans module can automatically print out issue slips and return slips, the appearance of which you can determine yourself. Messages with various levels of warnings can be established per borrower, and per copy. For instance, you can identify borrowers with unacceptable borrowing habits, or keep a record of damage to books.