1 Patron Blocks - Librarian assigned and system assigned Senior Librarian Yoel Kortick

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3 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

4 Introduction – Types of Blocks There are two types of “blocks” which may exist when a patron tries to loan, renew or make a hold request: 1.“Librarian-assigned” 1.Defined by librarian and manually assigned to the patron via the “blocks” section of the user record 2.“System-assigned” automatically based on pre-defined configuration 1.Resulting from the patron having reached defined limit of loans, hold requests, or owed cash

5 Introduction – Types of Blocks The “Librarian-assigned” blocks are typically defined at the time of implementation and rarely if at all change at a later stage The “System-assigned” blocks are accessible via configuration menus to staff who have completed certification training and have role “Fulfillment Administrator”. These are also known as “limits” and the “block” occurs when the “limit” is surpassed

6 Introduction – Types of Blocks This presentation will define, explain and provide examples of each type of block. We will begin with “Librarian-assigned” blocks We will then move to “System- assigned” blocks

7 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

8 Librarian-assigned Blocks It is possible to define in the “blocks” section of the user that he will be blocked from making loans, renewals or hold requests. Each block may contain one or a combination of these blocks, together with a specific reason for the block.

9 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

10 table “Block to Blocked Actions” Make sure table “Block to Blocked Actions” has IDs 01, 02 and 03 correctly defined. This table defines IDs which will later be used in the configuration to block loans, renewals and hold requests Each entry (01, 02, and 03) has a predefined meaning which must be defined. This pre-defined meaning may be seen via the Online Help by doing: “Search for Patron Blocks > Click “Configuring User Block Definitions” > Click “Adding a Set of User Block Definitions” > Look at number 2”

11 table “Block to Blocked Actions” Predefined definitions for table “Block to Blocked Actions” according to online help: The table may be accessed via Alma Menu > general > general > All mapping Tables > Block to Blocked Actions > Actions > Edit

12 table “Block to Blocked Actions” If the table appears as follows it should be changed We will now delete the existing row with “1” and add three new rows with 01, 02 and 03.

13 table “Block to Blocked Actions” Here we add each row for 01, 02 and 03 It must be defined exactly like this with capital letters and these values for each number

14 table “Block to Blocked Actions” Here is the final table Later we will “connect” these to specific blocks

15 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

16 table “User Block Descriptions” This table defines the descriptions of the blocks which will later be used in the configuration to block loans, renewals and hold requests. The table may be accessed via Alma Menu > General > General > All Code Tables > User Block Descriptions > Actions > Edit

17 table “User Block Descriptions” Here we have defined three different reasons why the user may be blocked. Later we will “connect” them to specific blocks

18 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

19 table “User Block Definitions” We will now define the actual user block definitions The table may be accessed via Alma Menu > Fulfillment > Fulfillment Configuration > Configuration menu > Patron Configurations > User Block Definitions

20 table “User Block Definitions” When creating a new mapping row for “User Block Definitions” … These are the descriptions we defined in table “User Block Descriptions” These are the blocks we defined in table “Block to Blocked Actions”

21 table “User Block Definitions” Here is an example of table “User Block Definitions” With this block user will not be able to loan or renew With this block user will not be able to loan or renew or request With this block user will not be able to loan

22 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

23 Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Summary: Block To Blocked Actions = In “All Mapping Tables”. Contains two digit ID number and corresponding blocks User Block Description = In “All Code Tables”. Contains a code and textual description of the block User Block Definitions = In “Fulfillment Configuration menu”. Connects the block from “blocked to blocked actions” with the textual description from “user block description”

24 Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks User Block Definitions User Block Description Block To Blocked Actions

25 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

26 Testing the librarian-assigned blocks We add to patron John Smith the block “Talks loud in library – can not loan”.

27 We see that patron John Smith has the block “Talks loud in library – can not loan”. Testing the librarian-assigned blocks

28 If we try to loan him an item we get correctly this message We’ll discuss the “Override” here later Testing the librarian-assigned blocks

29 Patron Rachel Smith has block “Brings food into reading room – can not loan or renew” Testing the librarian-assigned blocks

30 If we try to retrieve this patron (via manage patron services) in order to renew an item we correctly get this message: Testing the librarian-assigned blocks

31 If we click OK on the previous message and try to renew her loan from the list of loaned items … Testing the librarian-assigned blocks

32 We correctly get this message: Testing the librarian-assigned blocks

33 Patron Thomas Smith has this block: “Tried to steal items from library - can not loan or renew or request” Testing the librarian-assigned blocks

34 If we try to make a request for him we get correctly get this message: Testing the librarian-assigned blocks

35 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

36 Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks The “override” ability for the patron blocks is defined in the user block definitions. Note that the override for other fulfillment policy rules (such as “item is not loanable) is defined in the “Block Preferences” (Alma Menu > Fulfillment > Fulfillment Configuration > Configuration menu > Physical Fulfillment > Block Preferences) The “override” ability for the patron blocks is defined as part of the user block definitions.

37 For example: In a previous case we added to patron John Smith the block “Talks loud in library – can not loan”. When we loaned tried to loan him an item we got an override option: Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks

38 The reason we got the override option is because in the “User Block Definitions” table we have this: Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks

39 Now we change it to NONE, meaning no one can override the block Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks

40 Now there is correctly no option to override the block when trying to perform the loan Previously there was an override button here Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks

41 Note that there is no option to override the loan block in the previous slide even though the “block preferences” has the following. This “block preference” line does not influence the patron blocks, it influences other fulfillment policies rules. This is because, as previously stated, The “override” ability for the patron blocks is defined as part of the user block definitions. And not part of the “block preferences” Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks

42 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

43 System-assigned blocks As previously mentioned the system-assigned blocks are also known as “limits” and the block occurs when the limit is surpassed. These limits may be defined in the “Loan Limits” and “Patron Limits” tables, both accessible via the fulfillment configuration menu “Patron Configurations” section.

44 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

45 System-assigned Loan Limits The Loan Limits consist of rules based on various parameters. Here we will add a rule

46 System-assigned Loan Limits We will base the rule on “User Group”

47 System-assigned Loan Limits On the next slide you can see we have created a rule which states that users with user group “Undergraduate” can loan 1 item. After reaching this limit he will be blocked The rule is called “Undergraduate Student limited to 1 loan”

48 System-assigned Loan Limits

49 System-assigned Loan Limits As in other places where rules are defined, each rule appears and the order may be determined so that certain rules will take precedence over other rules

50 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

51 System-assigned Patron Limits Here we will define a new patron limit which states that User Group “Staff – Yoel’s Special Task Force” may have two overdue items, 1 overdue recalled item, and cash. After this limit he will be blocked. Click “Add Row” to make the row appear

52 System-assigned Patron Limits Now we have two patron limits

53 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

54 Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Now we have two limits Users with user group “Undergraduate student” can loan 1 item. They will be blocked from loaning more. Users with user group “Staff - Yoel's Special Task Force” will be blocked if they 1.Have more than 2 overdue items 2.Owe more than cash 3.Have More than 1 overdue recalled item

55 This patron with user group “Staff - Yoel's Special Task Force” has more than two overdue items and owes more than cash Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits

56 If we try to loan something to this patron then we can see he is blocked for both reasons: 1.Exceeded cash limit 2.Exceeded overdue limit Note that both blocked limitations are overridable. We will talk more about that soon Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits

57 If we try to loan something to this patron then we can see he is blocked for both reasons: 1.Exceeded cash limit 2.Exceeded overdue limit Note that both blocked limitations are overridable. We will talk more about that soon Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits

58 This patron has user group “Undergraduate student” and has one item on loan. We previously defined that 1 is the loan limit for this user group) Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits

59 If we try to loan this patron a second item then we get this message: Note that there is no option to override We will talk more about that soon Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits

60 Agenda Introduction – Types of Blocks Librarian-assigned Blocks table “Block to Blocked Actions” table “User Block Descriptions” table “User Block Definitions” Tables summary – librarian assigned blocks Testing the librarian-assigned blocks Overriding the librarian-assigned blocks System-assigned blocks System-assigned Loan Limits System-assigned Patron Limits Testing System-assigned Loan & Patron Limits Overriding the system-assigned blocks

61 We did have an option to override the block when the patron exceeded the cash limit We did have an option to override the block when the patron exceeded the overdue limit We did not have an option to override the block when the patron exceeded the maximum amount of loans Overriding the system-assigned blocks

62 The ability to override these blocks is configured in the “Block Preferences” table accessible via the “Physical Fulfillment” section of the fulfillment configuration menu Overriding the system-assigned blocks

63 This is why we could override the cash limit and overdue limit, but not the loan limit Overriding the system-assigned blocks Now we change it to this

64 Now we do not have the option to override when trying to loan to a patron with user group “Staff - Yoel's Special Task Force” who has exceeded his allowed amount of overdue items or cash limit. Overriding the system-assigned blocks Previously we had an option here to override

65 Now we do have the option to override when trying to loan to a patron with user group “Undergraduate Student” who has exceeded his allowed amount loans Overriding the system-assigned blocks Previously we did not have an option here to override