Features

 

The Circulation window consists of three panes, the two upper panes display basic information about the patron and item, and the lower pane displays transaction information for the patron or item. For security, a time-out period can be chosen that clears the window after a selected number of seconds has expired.

 

The Patron and Item labels are hyperlinks which, when clicked, open a window that allows viewing the full MARC of the patron (or item) and the related barcode, group, and transaction records.

 

The Circulation calendar is used to set up loan period rules, library hours, and holidays. Within Circulation the librarian has the ability to backdate the circulation date (helpful for evening book drops) and temporarily override typical loan periods to process circulation exceptions. Loan periods can consist of any period of time, including hours. The calendar provides for  adjusting loan periods to accommodate holidays and closed hours.

 

An overdue item's status changes from “Overdue Loan” to “Fine” when the item is returned. Fines are then calculated by the system. Closed days can be excluded from fine calculations. Patrons can pay the full fine amount, make a partial payment, or exclude an item from payment until a future date. Librarians have the ability to forgive fines, and add a processing fee. The system calculates the amount of change back from a fine paid. Fines can be marked as previously paid if the patron claims that the fine was already paid. Oasis allows item status to be changed to “Lost,” “Claimed Returned,” or “Claimed Never Had” to accommodate those situations. Librarians can issue refunds. Oasis keeps a history of fines for each patron that can be displayed from the payment screen.

 

Quick Return is designed for situations such as book drop returns. Patron messages are not displayed since it is assumed that patrons are not present. Quick Return does alert when a hold is attached to an item.

 

In-House Circulation is designed to “return” items that were removed from shelf positions and left on library tables or desks, presumably used at the library though not checked out. This feature is used to track in-library usage of the collection.

 

Oasis allows self-check and self-return transactions without the assistance of a librarian. For system security, the patron cannot perform any other type of circulation transaction; the patron’s only options are self-check, self- return, or log out. Self mode can be set up so patron and item transactions do not display.

 

Librarians can check out or return multiple items after entering a single patron without having to re-enter the patron barcode for each item.

 

Librarians can display the transaction history of an item or patron. If privacy is an issue, this feature can be disabled.

 

Items can be searched, and the current location or condition of a particular item can be displayed. Any number of customized statuses can be created to accommo- date local needs. Patron status can also be created and assigned.

 

This feature is used to reserve an item such as a conference room or piece of equipment for a future day and/or time. Booking is available for a single day, a range of days, or for specific hours. Items and pieces of equipment can be grouped into sets for ease of circulation. The system maintains equipment holding records including information concerning date added, collection, item type, storage location, serial number, inventory number, equipment price, date purchased, last ser- vice, next service, condition, and notes. Room holding records include room

collection, item type, size, capacity, handicap access, elevator access, media equipment assigned to the room, and notes.

 

Oasis alerts library staff when materials on reserve are returned and placed on hold, displaying the name of the patron who reserved the item and instructions to notify the patron. Oasis can also be configured to automatically send the patron an e-mail notification.

 

Oasis can print a hold form to be placed with the item. The system allows library staff to specify a last acceptable date for a hold, after which time the material is no longer needed. The system clears holds not filled by such dates and automatically readjusts the holding queue.

 

Circulation provides transaction reports to monitor library status and activity. The types of transactions reported consist of loans, fines, holds, reserves, bookings, overdue loans, or all transactions. Reported transactions can be displayed for the current day, a specified number of days, or all transactions. In addition, bookings can be displayed for the future. Additional reports can be generated using the Oasis report generator.