Staff-Generated Penalties/Messages


Home Prev	Chapter 101. Circulation - Patron Record	Next

To access this feature, use the Messages button in the patron record.

Add a Message

Click Apply Standing Penalty/Message to begin the process of adding a message to the patron.

There are three options: Notes, Alerts, Blocks

Note: This will create a non-blocking, non-alerting note visible to staff. Staff will be alerted to the message by the light-blue framing around the patron name, and can view the message by clicking the Messages button on the patron record. (Notes created in this fashion will not display via Other → Notes, and cannot be shared with the patron. See the Patron Notes section for notes which can be shared with the patron.)
Alert: This will create a non-blocking alert which appears when the patron record is first retrieved. The alert will generate a dark-blue frame around the patron name. Alerts may be viewed by clicking the Messages button on the patron record or by selecting Other → Display Alerts and Messages.
Block: This will create a blocking alert which appears when the patron record is first retrieved, and which behaves much as the non-blocking alert described previously. The patron will be also blocked from circulation, holds and renewals until the block is cleared by staff.

After selecting the type of message to create, enter the message body into the box. If Staff Initials are required, they must be entered into the Initials box before the message can be added. Otherwise, fill in the optional Initials box and click Apply

The message should now be visible in the Staff-Generated Penalties/Messages list. If a blocking or non-blocking alert, the message will also display immediately when the patron record is retrieved.

Modify a Message

Messages can be edited by staff after they are created.

Click to select the message to be modified, then click Actions for these Penalties/Messages → Modify Penalty/Message. This menu can also be accessed by right-clicking in the message area.

To change the type of message, click on Note, Alert, Block to select the new type. Edit or add new text in the message body. Enter Staff Initials into the Initials box (may be required.) and click Modify to submit the alterations.

Archive a Message

Messages which are no longer current can be archived by staff. This action will remove any alerts or blocks associated with the message, but retains the information contained there for future reference.

Click to select the message to be archived, then click Actions for these Penalties/Messages → Archive Penalty/Message. This menu can also be accessed by right-clicking in the message area.

Archived messages will be shown in the section labelled Archived Penalties/Messages. To view messages, click Retrieve Archived Penalties. By default, messages archived within the past year will be retrieved. To retrieve messages from earlier dates, change the start date to the desired date before clicking Retrieve Archived Penalties.

Remove a Message

Messages which are no longer current can be removed by staff. This action removes any alerts or blocks associated with the message and deletes the information from the system.

Click to select the message to be removed, then click Actions for these Penalties/Messages → Remove Penalty/Message. This menu can also be accessed by right-clicking in the message area.