Skip to Main Content
Please note: Off-campus access to many library resources is temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Hope Library Guides

Circulation Manual

Your one-stop guide to life at the Circulation Desk

Checking Items In & Out

   Checking Out Items

1. From the Alma dashboard, go to Fulfillment, then Manage Patron Services.

 

2. Scan the barcode on the patron's card. The patron must present an active Hope ID, Hope Guest Card, or Western Theological Seminary ID in order to check out items. 

  • If the patron is a WTS User, select Find user in other institution, select Western Theological Seminary from the drop-down menu, then scan their WTS ID.

  • If the patron is a Hope student checking out items for a Hope professor, select Use proxy, then scan their Hope ID. A drop-down menu with the professor's name should appear. Click Go and the professor's account should appear. If no professor's name appears, the student is not set up as a proxy and cannot check out items for someone else. The professor must contact Allison to have the student set up as a proxy.

 

3. Make sure the cursor is in the Scan Item Barcode field, then scan each item's barcode one at a time. For equipment, make sure you find and scan the exact number of barcodes listed on the equipment tag.

 

4. Don't trust the beep! Watch to make sure each item appears under Loans of this session.

 

5. If the item(s) checked out are equipment or reserves, tell the patron the exact time the item is due. 

 

6. Click Done in the upper right corner and tell the patron to have a great day! The items are now checked out, and clicking Done will send the patron an email with the due dates of each item. 

   Checking In Items

1. From the Alma dashboard, go to Fulfillment, then Return Items.

 

2. Check to make sure all pieces of an item are present before you check it in: discs must be inside the DVD and CD cases and all parts to Scores must be in the folder. Then, make sure the cursor is in the Scan Item Barcode field and scan each item one at a time. Stamp each item with the Van Wylen 202X stamp.

 

3. Watch for pop-up messages:

  • For a Temporary Item Location, make sure that the item goes on the appropriate shelving cart for its temporary location.

  • If the temporary location is Display or Featured Collections, put the appropriate flag in the book and put it in Heidi's box.

  • If the item's destination is On Hold Shelf, a request slip will automatically print. Put the request slip in the book and place the book on the Hold Shelf in order by the patron's last name.

  • If a pop-up message says "Replacement fee will be refunded," put this slip in the book and put it in Heidi's box.

 

4. Briefly check each book for damage and for objects tucked into the book. Remove sticky notes, bookmarks, and other items. If it is damaged, put a Damaged flag in the book and put it in Heidi's box. 

5. Check the Next Step for each item. Put books, DVDs, and CDs on the appropriate shelving carts. For equipment, clear information from each item as needed and put the item back in its place.