Patron Initiated Renewals From the UHCARL System

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In March 1996, John Haak met with Trish Culkin during her site visit 
to UH Manoa and discussed the possibility of developing a new feature 
to allow patrons to renew items via the PAC module.   Trish Culkin asked 
for specifications for the creation of such a function.  

Lindy Naj requested that Systems investigate technical requirements, feasibility, 
and policy ramifications of patron initiated renewal of items via the PAC module.  
Susan Murata, Head of Circulation and Karen Calvert, Systems PAC Liaison provided 
input and review of the proposed specifications, which are attached.

Systems recommends that additional information be gathered before a final decision 
is made on whether it is advisable to proceed beyond the specification development 
stage with this project.  The potential for destabilizing active processes during 
implementation of this new function should be considered.  If implementation is 
successful a plan for handling installation of this function for UHCARL sites should be prepared.
---------------------------

prepared for John Haak, University Librarian 
and Lindy Naj, Head of Library and Network Systems Division
by Martha Chantiny

--------------------------
Additional Recommendations

*	Determine whether there will be a charge for implementation of this 
function, or if UHM will receive it at no additional cost because of the 
(inevitably time consuming) effort Systems and Circ staff will put into 
debugging and testing of the product
*	Determine if additional files or server processes on the Tandem will 
be required; and what impact they are likely to have on overall system response time
*	Determine what priority Library Administration assigns to this project 
in relation to resolution of the current top priority Circulation, Reserve and PAC bugs

-------------
Additional Considerations
In addition to the technical specifications, issues that need to be considered include:  

*	Modifications to current circulation files or validation and patron server 
processes has the potential to destabilize important working functions
*	How will this feature be offered to the other UHCARL sites?  If modifications 
to their existing patron files is required, logistical and management planning 
of a phased implementation will be needed.  (All 10 sites which use the Circulation 
module offer the renewal function to some or all borrowers, for some or all types 
of circulating materials.)

---------------------------
Specifications for Development
The Patron Initiated Renewal function requires that:

1	The option be available as a command from the PI (Patron Information in PAC) screen+ 
2	The display/validation of the option should be flag controlled via DPM 
(e.g. allow Y/N, display Y/N)* 
3	The same system checks are performed during a patron initiated renewal (borrower status, 
whether item may be recalled, etc.) that occur when a renewal is done at the Circ counter 
4	The same renewal parameters (e.g. controlled by BTY and/or BRA) are applied as those 
that occur when a renewal is done at the Circ counter 
5	Either partial renew (i.e. item by item) or renew all are allowed
6	When patron has completed a renewal session, a review screen listing the completed 
transactions should display on screen (listing patron name, item barcode number(s), 
title(s), original due date, renewal due date) and have a print (receipt) option+
7	A report++ of all patron initiated renewals is generated (to the spooler of each 
institution which has this function activated) daily, listing patron barcode number, 
name, item barcode number(s), title(s), original due date, renewal due date** 
+	This will presumably require changes to the PIP portion of the PTRNSRV server and 
to one or more PIP screens.  

NOTE:  The PRINT RECEIPT option will be the PATRON NOTIFICATION of the 
renewal (which takes place in real time).  The renewal activity may also be 
verified by using the existing PIP (Patron Information in PAC) function to 
display the status of the patron's Circulation transactions.

*	INSP, INSC and maybe BTY or BRA changes may all be required

++	For use by the CIRCULATION DEPT (for statistical and reference purposes)

**	This will require an addition to CRCCLEAN and/or LOGSPLIT or __?

Back to Martha's Homepage