USMAI

University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions

Offline Circulation

This option lets you record transactions on your local computer in case there is a disruption with your computer's connection to the server. Your transactions will be saved in a file which you can send to the server once the connection is re-established. The system will then check the transactions and produce a check report, listing blocks found and other conditions.

The first tab Offline Circulation is used to perform a transaction. The second tab Offline Circulation - Check Report is used to check a transaction.

To perform a transaction:
Open the first tab Offline Circulation.

Choose Transaction

Select the type of transaction, Loan or Return. The top button on the right side of the window will change (to Loan or Return) according to the transaction type that you selected. The default mode is set by the System Librarian.

Library
Select an ADM library from the drop-down list.

Patron ID / Barcode
Enter the patron's ID or barcode. Note that this field is only available for Loan transactions.

Item Barcode
Enter the item barcode. You may use the barcode reader to scan in the number.

Buttons:

Loan / Return
Click the Loan / Return button to perform the respective transaction.

Send File
Click Send File to send the transaction file to the server to be checked.

Clear File
Click Clear File to erase the transaction file from your local computer.

Import File
The Offline Circulation is also available as a standalone client. If you are using the standalone client you need to import a file to the system so you can send the file to the server to be checked. Use the Import File button to perform this action.

To check a transaction:

Open the second tab Offline Circulation - Check Report.

After you have sent the transaction file to the server, the Offline Circulation - Check Report tab displays the list of blocks and other conditions related to these transactions.

The report may list blocks that normally would have prevented the transaction from taking place if there had been a connection with the server; conditions that exist (such as hold requests for returned material) and registration of cash transactions.

Note: Whether or not the system registers cash transactions through Offline Circulation depends on your system setup.

Buttons:

Clear File
Click Clear File to erase the transaction file from your local computer.

Print
Click Print to produce a printout of the Check Report.

Check Report

After you have sent the Offline Circulation transaction file to the server, the system produces a Check Report shown in this window.

The report may list:

If the item does not exist.
If there is no global/local patron record.
If the system had problems registering the Loan / Return transaction.
If a cash transaction could not be registered when the item was returned late.
If the item was already on loan or if the item was declared as lost or claimed returned.

Clear File
Click Clear File to erase the Check Report.

Print
Click Print to print the Check Report.

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