Users

The Users app allows you to manage user information for patrons and library staff. Both patrons and library staff’s user records are stored in the Users app. There is no separate directory or app for library staff users. The difference between a library staff user and a patron is that the library staff user record has FOLIO permissions, username and password assigned to it.

Definition of terms related to the Users app:

• User. Any person who interacts with or performs tasks in FOLIO.

• User record. Contains contact information and identifiers for an individual user. User records exist for both patrons and library staff. For a list of all information contained within a user record, see Viewing a user record.

• Permission. Value assigned to a user, which grants them access to FOLIO records or allows them to carry out specific tasks in FOLIO.

• Permission set. A group of permissions that allows a user to perform a specific set of tasks. For example, you may want to group certain permissions together to create job-specific permissions sets. Permission sets are defined by your library in Settings > Users > Permission sets.

Table of Contents

Permissions

FOLIO community documentation for Users includes the permissions required to interact with the app, and that determine what you can or cannot do within the app.

You can assign permissions to users in the Users app. If none of these permissions are assigned to a user, then they will be unable to see the Users app or any related information.

Note: For more information about Permissions, see Platform Essentials > Permissions. (FOLIO Community page)

Creating a user record manually

1. In the User Search Results pane, click Actions > New.

2. In the Create User window, fill in the User information, Extended information, and Contact information sections. Fill in the Custom fields sections, if configured by your institution. For more information on the fields and actions available in these sections, see the section descriptions below.

3. Once you have included all the information you want about the user, click Save & Close. The user record is saved.

User information

• Last name (required). The surname of the user.

• First name. The given name of the user. We are using Preferred first name because that field is not yet available in notice templates).

• Middle name. The middle name of the user.

• Preferred first name. The name by which the user prefers to be called. If a preferred first name is provided, it will display in the user record in place of the first name. (not currently available in notice templates)

• Patron group (required). Select a patron group to assign to the user. Patron groups are classes of library users configured by your library in the Settings app. See Settings > Users > Patron Groups for more information.

• Status (required). Select a status for the user: Active or Inactive. A user’s status is tied to the expiration date set on their user record. Active status indicates current affiliation, employment, or enrollment within the library’s institution. Inactive status indicates that the expiration date on the user’s record has passed and the user is no longer affiliated, employed, or enrolled. When a Patron Group is selected, the Status automatically defaults to Active.

• Expiration date. The amount of time set before the user record lapses and the user no longer has active permissions or the ability to borrow items. The expiration date determines when a user’s status changes from Active to Inactive. After selecting a Patron Group, you are prompted to use the default expiration date for that patron group. In the Set expiration date pop-up window, click Set to accept the default expiration date for the patron group. Otherwise, if you wish to customize the expiration date, click Cancel and enter the date in the Expiration date field, or click the calendar icon to select a date. You can also leave the field blank.

• Barcode. The barcode number for the user’s ID or library card.

Extended information

• Date enrolled. The date a user is enrolled at the institution. This field is auto-populated if it is included in source data provided by an external system. 

• External system ID. The external system ID for the user. This field is the MATCH POINT for user loads. NEVER CHANGE THE EXTERNAL SYSTEM ID for affiliated patrons. It has the format [7-digit ID]@[institution].edu.

• Birth date. [Five Colleges is not currently using this field] The date of birth of the user in YYYY-MM-DD format.

• Folio number. A system-generated number for the user record.

• Username. The name library staff use to log into FOLIO. Affiliated users have their full email address as a username. Note: Patrons don’t need a username because they don’t need to log into FOLIO.

• Request preferences. Hold Shelf is selected by default for all users. If Delivery is also checked, select Fulfillment preference.

• If Delivery is selected as the Fulfillment preference, select the Default delivery address. This field appears and is required only if Delivery is selected as a request preference. Addresses are added to the user record in the Contact information section. See Users > Contact information for more information.

• If Hold Shelf is selected as the Fulfillment preference, select the Default pickup service point. All user records have at least one service point assigned to indicate the location for checking out or picking up requested items. Service points are configured by your library in the Settings app.

• Department name. [Five Colleges is not currently using this field] Name of the user’s department, if applicable. To associate the user with a department, click Add Department and select the department from the drop-down list. This action is repeatable, and departments can be deleted by clicking the trash can icon. Departments are configured by your library in the Settings app. See Settings > Users > Departments for more information. 

• Username. The name library staff use to log into FOLIO. Note: Patrons don’t have a username because they don’t need to log into FOLIO.

• Password. Users can be sent a reset password link via email. This link expires after 24 hours. The password must meet the following default validation rules:

  • Contain a minimum of 8 characters.

  • Contain both uppercase and lowercase letters.

  • Contain at least 1 numeric character.

  • Contain at least 1 special character.

  • Does not contain the username.

  • Does not contain a keyboard sequence.

  • Does not contain the same character.

  • Does not contain whitespace(s).

Contact information

• Email (required). The email address of the user.

• Phone. The phone number of the user.

• Mobile phone. The mobile phone number of the user.

• Preferred contact (required). Select the user’s preferred method of contact: Email, Mail (Primary Address), or Text Message.

• Address. The address of the user. You can add multiple addresses. To add an address, click Add Address. Select Use as primary address if address is to be considered the user’s main address. 

• Address Type. Select the appropriate address type for the user’s address. Address Types are configured by your library in the Settings app. See Settings > Users > Address Types for more information.

Creating an OpenAthens Community Borrower Registration

In order for unaffiliated users to log into Discover and see their loans, requests, and fees/fines, they need to have an OpenAthens account created that links to their FOLIO user account. See the Discovery section for instructions on Creating an OpenAthens Community Borrower account.

Searching for user records

You can search for user records in the Search & filter pane. To search for users, enter your search terms into the box and click Enter. The user search box searches through these fields: Name, Barcode, Email, Username, and External system ID. First name or Preferred first name can be used as name in the Keyword field.

You can also search for user records by selecting any of the filters in the Search & filter pane. Additionally, you can apply the filters after you perform a search to limit your results. See the sections below for more information on the filters.

Status

In the Search & filter pane, click Status and select any applicable filters:

• Active. Users with the Status of Active.

• Inactive. User with the Status of Inactive.

Patron group

To filter users by their patron group, in the Search & filter pane, select one of the listed options. Possible patron groups may include examples like these:

• Faculty

• Staff

• Graduate

• Undergraduate

Patron groups configured in Settings > Users > Patron groups.

Tags (Tags are not being used in the Five College Tenant)

To search for user records assigned with specific tags, follow these steps:

1. In the Search & filter pane, click Tags.

2. Select the tag(s) from the drop-down list. The search results appear in the User search results pane.

Viewing a user record

Once you search for a user record, the following information appears in the User search results pane:

• Name. Name of the user. Last Name, First Name or Last Name, Preferred first name (First name)

• Active. The status of the user.

• Barcode. The barcode number of the user.

• Patron group. The patron group to which the user belongs.

• Username. The username of the user.

• Email. The email address of the user.

In the user search results, click on an user record to view it. The User record pane displays additional information about the user record. See the sections below for more information on the accordions that appear in the user record.

User information

For information about the fields displayed in the User information section, see Creating a user record > User information. 

Patron blocks

Within the Patron blocks section, you can view all blocks on the user record and create manual blocks. For more information on manual blocks, see Creating a manual patron block.

Patron blocks appear in a table format with the most recent block listed first.

Extended information

For information about the fields displayed in the Extended information section, see Creating a user record > Extended information. 

Contact information

For information about the fields displayed in the Contact information section, see Creating a user record > Contact information.

Custom fields

Custom fields are configured by your institution and allow additional information in the user record. For more information about custom fields see Settings > Users > Custom fields.

Proxy/sponsor

The Proxy/sponsor section displays any proxies or sponsors associated with the user record. For more information on adding a sponsor or proxy, see Adding a sponsor to a user record and Adding a proxy to a user record.

Fees/fines

The Fees/fines section displays the number of open and closed fees/fines. To view additional details about the users’ open or closed fees/fines, expand the Fees/Fines accordion and click on open fees/fines or closed fees/fines respectively. To view all fees/fines, click View all fees/fines. For more information about fees and fines, see Additional Topics > Fees and fines.

You can also create manual fees/fines in the Fees/fines section. For more information, see Creating a manual fee/fine.

Loans

The Loans section displays the number of open and closed loans.

A patron has an open loan when they have borrowed an item and the item hasn’t yet been returned. A loan is also considered open when the patron has returned the item but needs to pay a fee/fine, or when a patron says they have returned an item and the library marks it as “claim returned” while they search the shelves.

Once an item has been returned to the library and checked back in, and any associated fee/fines have been resolved, the loan is closed. Once a loan is closed, it can be anonymized according to the library’s anonymization settings.

To view additional details about the user’s open or closed loans, expand the Loans accordion and click open loans or closed loans, respectively.

For more information about loans, see Additional Topics > Loans.

Requests

The Requests section displays the number of open and closed requests.

A request is open when a patron hasn’t yet received the item they requested. That can be the case when they are waiting in line for a patron to return the item, or when the item is being pulled from a shelf (Open - Not yet filled, Open - Awaiting delivery, or Open - In transit). The request is also open if the item has been brought to the requested service point and the patron has been notified to come pick it up (Open - Awaiting pickup).

A request is closed when the patron picks up the item (Closed - fulfilled). It’s also closed if the patron or library staff cancels their request prior to pickup (Closed - Cancelled), if the patron didn’t come get the book before their hold expired (Closed - Pickup expired), or if the library was unable to fill the request before the request itself expired (Closed - Unfilled).

To view additional details about the users’ open or closed requests, expand the Requests accordion and click open requests or closed requests, respectively.

You can also create requests for the user by clicking the Create request button in the Requests section of the user record or in the Requests app. For more information, see Creating requests.

User permissions

The User permissions section displays all permissions assigned to the user record. For more information on assigning permissions, see Assigning permissions to a user record.

Service points

The Service points section displays all service points assigned to the user record, including the user’s Service point preference, if applicable. 

Notes

The Notes section displays any notes about the patron. For more information on notes, see Adding a note to a user record.

Editing a user record

To edit the User information, Extended information, or Contact information section in a user record, follow these steps: 

1. Find the user record you want to edit and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, edit the appropriate information in the User information, Extended information, or Contact information sections.

4. Click Save & Close. The user record is updated.

Editing an expiration date

To edit (or re-set) an Expiration Date in an existing user record, follow these steps:

1. Search for User Record. You can search for a user record by Keyword (name, email, identifier) and filter search by Status, Patron Group, and Tags.

2. Select the user record from the User Results list.

3. Click on the Re-Set button near the Expiration Date field to re-set the date to the default expiration date for that patron group.

4. Customize the expiration date by typing the new date in the Expiration Date field using YYYY-MM-DD format. Or click on the Calendar icon in the Expiration Date field to select a date. 

5. Delete the expiration date by clicking on the x in the Expiration Date field.

6. Click Save & Close.]

Changing a user’s status

A user’s status can be changed between Active or Inactive based on changes in their employment status or enrollment status. 

1. Find the user record you want to edit and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, in the User Information section, in the Status drop-down list, select Active or Inactive.

4. Click Save & Close. 

Sending a password reset email

This functionality is provided only after the user record has been saved for the first time. The library staff user created or changed is sent a URL to the email address specified in the Contact information section. After accessing the URL, the user is taken to a form where the FOLIO password can be set or changed. Alternatively, the URL can be copied and manually sent to the user.

1. Find the user record for which you want to send a password reset email and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, in the Extended information, click the Send reset password email link under Folio password. The reset password email is sent to the user.

4. Optional: In the Reset password email sent dialog, click Copy link to copy the password reset link and manually send the link to the user.

5. Click the X to close the dialog.

Adding a sponsor to a user record

Users can authorize other users to borrow library materials on their behalf. Sponsors are users who authorize another user to borrow on their behalf. For example, if you are adding a sponsor to the user record of User One, then User One is the proxy and can borrow on behalf of User Two (the sponsor).

1. Find the user record to which you want to add a sponsor and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, under Proxy/sponsor, in the Sponsors section, click Add.

4. In the Select User dialog, search for the sponsor user and select them. The sponsor is added to the user record.

   1. Optional: In the sponsor box, select the Relationship Status: Active or Inactive.

   2. Optional: Enter or select an Expiration date. The Expiration date indicates the expiration of the proxy/sponsor relationship.

   3. Optional: Select whether the Proxy can request for the sponsor. If you select Yes, then the proxy can place requests on materials on behalf of the sponsor.

   4. Optional: Select to whom notifications from the library are sent in the Notifications sent to drop-down list: Proxy or Sponsor.

5. Click Add.

6. Click Save & Close. The sponsor is added to the user record.

Add a proxy to a user record

Users can authorize other patrons to borrow library materials on their behalf. Proxies are users who are authorized to borrow on the behalf of another user. For example, if you are adding a proxy to the user record of User One, then User Two is the proxy and can borrow on the behalf of User One (the sponsor).

1. Find the user record to which you want to add a proxy and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, under Proxy/sponsor, in the Proxies section, click Add.

4. In the Select User dialog, search for the proxy user and select them. The proxy is added to the user record.

   1. Optional: In the proxy box, select the Relationship Status: Active or Inactive.

   2. Optional: Enter or select an Expiration date. The Expiration date indicates the expiration of the proxy/sponsor relationship.

   3. Optional: Select whether the Proxy can request for the sponsor. If you select Yes, then the proxy can place requests on materials on behalf of the sponsor.

   4. Optional: Select to whom notifications from the library are sent in the Notifications sent to drop-down list: Proxy or Sponsor.

5. Click Add.

6. Click Save & Close. The proxy is added to the user record.

Assigning permissions to a user record

Library staff need to have permissions assigned to their user record in order to interact with the FOLIO staff interface. Permissions do not need to be assigned to patrons for standard patron services like borrowing books, requesting items, etc. For a list of permissions and their definitions, see the respective app’s Permissions section in the documentation.

1. Find the user record to which you want to add permissions and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, click User permissions.

4. Click Add permission.

5. In the Select Permissions dialog, search for the permission(s) or permissions set you want to assign to the user. 

   1. Optional: Filter by Permission type or Permission assignment status in the Search & Filter pane.

6. Select the checkbox(es) next to the permission(s) you want to assign to the user.

7. Click Save & close. The permissions are assigned to the user record.

8. Click Save & close. The user record is saved.

Removing permissions from a user’s record

Remove assigned permission(s)

1. Find the user record to which you want to remove permissions and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, expand the User permissions accordion if needed.

4. Click the “x” next to the individual permission(s) you want to remove. The permission(s) are removed from the user record.

5. Click Save & close. The user record is saved.

Permissions can also be removed by following a modified version of the process for adding them:

1. Find the user record to which you want to remove permissions and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, expand the User permissions accordion if needed.

4. Click Add permission.

5. In the Select Permissions pop-up window, search for the permission(s) or permissions set you want to remove from the user. Optional: Filter by Permission type or Permission assignment status in the Search & Filter pane.

6. Deselect the checkbox next to the permission(s) you want to remove from the user.

7. Click Save & close. The permission(s) are removed from the user record.

8. Click Save & close. The user record is saved.

Remove all assigned permissions

All assigned permissions can be removed from a user record in one click.

1. Find the user record to which you want to remove permissions and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, expand the User permissions accordion if needed.

4. Click the Unassign all permissions button.

5. In the Unassign all permissions pop-up window, click Yes to confirm that you want to unassign all permissions. All assigned permissions will be removed from the user’s record.

Adding a service point to a user record

A service point in FOLIO is a setting that libraries configure to support circulation functions. Every FOLIO item must have a location, and every location must have an attached service point. You must set up at least one service point to be able to check items in and out; allow patrons to request items; charge and collect fines; and put items in transit between locations at your library. 

Staff who use the Check in, Check out, Users, or Requests apps must have a service point assigned to them in their user record. Service points are configured for your library in the Settings app. See Settings > Tenant > Service Points for more information. 

1. Find the user record to which you want to add a service point and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, click Service points.

4. Click Add service points. 

5. In the Add service points dialog, select the checkboxes next to the service points you want to assign to the user record.

6. Click Save & close. The service points are added to the user record.

7. Select a Service point preference from the drop-down list. If you select None, then the user is prompted to select a service point every time they sign in to FOLIO.

8. Click Save & Close. The service points are assigned to the user record.

Removing a service point from a user record

1. Find the user record to which you want to remove a service point and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, expand the Service points accordion if needed.

4. Click the “x” next to the service point(s) you want to remove. The service point(s) are removed from the user record.

5. Click Save & close. The user record is saved.

Service points can also be removed by following a modified version of the process for adding them:

1. Find the user record to which you want to remove a service point and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click Edit.

3. In the Edit window, expand the Service points accordion if needed.

4. Click Add service points.

5. In the Add service points pop-up window, deselect the checkboxes next to the service point(s) you want to remove from the user record.

6. Click Save & Close. The service point(s) are removed from the user record.

Adding a tag to a user record

Note that tags must be enabled for your FOLIO instance in order to use tags in the Users app. See Settings > Tags for more information.

1. Find the user record to which you want to add a tag and select it.

2. In the User record pane, click the tag icon.

3. If you want to use an existing tag, select it from the drop-down list. If you want to create a new tag, type the tag into the box and select Add tag for the new tag name in the drop-down. 4. Click the X on the Tags pane to close the pane and save the tag. The tag number updates to the number of tags applied to the user record.

Creating a manual patron block

Patron blocks allow libraries to manually prevent a patron from borrowing, renewing, and/or requesting materials until specified issues are resolved. Users with appropriate permissions can edit manual blocks on a patron’s record to update block information, actions, or remove the block. The block is displayed prominently on the user record so that staff members are aware that a patron is blocked and why. If an expiration date is provided on the patron block, the block is automatically removed on that date.

A patron block can be added to a user record by either selecting a patron block template or by creating a patron block.

To create a patron block using a patron block template, follow these steps:

1. Find the user record of the patron you want to block and select it.

2. In the User record pane, expand the Patron blocks accordion if needed.

3. Click Create block.

4. Select a patron block template from the Template name menu. Template values will be applied to the block.

5. Add any additional information to the block and select an expiration date if needed.

6. Click Save & close. The block is saved and added to the user record.

To create a patron block and add it to a user record, follow these steps:

1. Find the user record of the patron you want to block and select it.

2. In the User record pane, expand the Patron blocks accordion.

3. Click Create block.

4. In the New Block window, expand the Block information accordion if needed. Enter a Display Description. This is the description that displays on the user record and in pop-up windows that appear when staff try to check out, renew, or request items on behalf of the patron, depending on their block.

5. Optional: Enter Staff only information.

6. Optional: Enter a Message to Patron.

7. Optional: Enter an Expiration date on which the block expires.

8. By default, all Block actions are selected. These are the actions that the user is barred from doing because of the block. To allow some of the actions, clear the checkbox next to Borrowing, Renewals, or Requests.

9. Click Save & close. The block is saved and added to the user record.

Editing a patron block

1. Find the user record of the patron with the block you want to edit and select it.

2. In the User record pane, expand the Patron blocks accordion.

3. In the block table, select the block you want to edit.

4. In the user block window, make your changes.

5. Click Save & Close. The patron block is updated.

Removing a patron block

Patron blocks with expiration dates are automatically removed on that date.

To remove a patron block with no assigned expiration date, follow these steps:

1. Find the user record of the patron with the block you want to edit and select it.

2. In the User record pane, expand the Patron blocks accordion.

3. Select the block you want to remove

4. In the user record window, click Delete.

5. In the Delete patron block? pop-up window, click Delete. The patron block is removed.

Creating requests

Requests can be created in the Requests app or from the item record in the Inventory app. For information on creating requests, see Creating a request.

Adding a note to a user record

1. Find the user record to which you want to add a note and select it.

2. In the User record pane, expand the Notes accordion if needed.

3. Click New.

4. In the New note window, select the Note type from the drop-down list. Note types are created in the Settings app. For more information, see Settings > Notes.

5. Enter a Note title in the box.

6. Optional: Enter any Details about the note in the box.

7. If this note should appear as a pop-up whenever the user record is opened in the Check Out and/or Users app, check the Check Out app box and/or the User app box under the Display note as a pop-up.

8. Click Save & close. The note is saved.

Deleting A User Record in the UI

A user record can be deleted only if the user has no open transactions. To delete a user record, first check for open transactions. Once it’s confirmed that the user has no open transactions, the user record can be deleted. Follow these steps to check for open transactions and delete a user record in the UI:

Find the user record for which you want to check for open transactions and select it. In the Actions menu, select Check for open transactions/delete user. If there are no open transactions for this user, the message No open transactions for user (Last Name, First Name). Are you sure you want to delete this user? will appear in the Check for open transactions/delete user window.
Click Yes to delete the user record. A User (Last Name, First Name) deleted successfully message will confirm deletion of the user record. Or click No to cancel the deletion and return to the user record. If there are one or more open transactions for the user, the message User (Last Name, First Name) has the following open transactions. Please resolve the transactions to proceed to delete this user. Click OK to return to the user record.

If the deleted user had permissions to edit records, the Source listed in the metadata history becomes “Unknown user”.

Overdue loans report

The Overdue loans report is a comma-separated values (CSV) file that displays all users with overdue materials.

• In the User search results pane, click Actions > Overdue loans report (CSV).

• Depending on your browser and its configurations, an Export in progress message appears and the file automatically downloads or you are prompted to save it. If there are no overdue loans to report, a No items found message appears and no file is generated.

Claimed returned report

The Claimed returned report is a comma-separated values (CSV) file that displays all users with claimed returned materials.

• In the User search results pane, click Actions > Claimed returned report (CSV). An Export in progress message appears and depending on your browser and its configurations, the file either automatically downloads or you are prompted to open and save it. If there are no claimed return items to report, a No items found message will appear and no file is generated.

Cash drawer reconciliation report

The Cash drawer reconciliation report is used by library staff to balance their cash drawer at the end of a shift. The cash drawer reconciliation report shows forms of payments received (cash, check, credit card, and other forms of payment allowed by the library unit) for fees and fines and identifies the fee/fine owner so that the appropriate library unit receives payment. The cash drawer reconciliation report is available for download as a comma-separated values (CSV) file and/or printable document format (PDF).

• In the User search results pane, click Actions >Cash drawer reconciliation report (CSV, PDF).

• In the Cash drawer reconciliation report modal, enter a *Start Date (required) and an End Date. Select Service Point and Sources (optional).

• Select Report format. You may select CSV, PDF (Read Only), or Both.

• Click Save & close.

An Export in progress message appears and depending on your browser and its configurations, the file is either automatically downloaded or you are prompted to open and save it. If there are no transactions to report, a No items found message appears and no file is generated.

Financial transaction detail report

The Financial transaction detail report allows libraries to review transactions in a specified time period at the fee/fine owner level.

• In the User search results pane, click Actions >Financial transaction detail report (CSV).

• In the Financial transaction detail report modal, specify a date range by entering a Start date and an End date. Select the Fee/fine owner. Select the Associated service points (optional).

• Click on Save & close.

An Export in progress message will appear and depending on your browser and its configurations, the file either automatically downloads or you are prompted to open and save it. If there are no transactions to report, a No items found message appears and no file is generated.

Refunds to process manually report

The Refunds to process manually report is a report that provides library administration with a list of patrons requiring refunds. It is available for download as a comma-separated values (CSV) file.

• In the User search results pane, click Actions >Refunds to process manually report (CSV).

• In the Refunds to process manually modal, specify a date range by entering a Start Date and an End Date. Select the Fee/Fine Owner.

• Click Save & close.

An Export in progress message appears and depending on your browser and its configurations, the file either automatically downloads or you are prompted to open and save it. If no there are no refunds to process manually, a No items found message appears and no file is generated.

Managing loans and fee/fines for patrons

From the loans section on a patron’s record, a FOLIO user with appropriate permissions can renew a loan for a patron; change the due date; mark the item claim returned; or declare the item lost. For more information about loans, see Additional Topics > Loans.

FOLIO users with appropriate permissions can manage fee/fines on patron accounts. This includes viewing fee/fine information, creating manual charges, accepting payment, waiving a fine, refunding a fine, and canceling a fine. For more information about fee/fines, see Fee and fines.

Renew a loan

To renew one or more loans for a patron:

1. In the user record pane, expand the Loans accordion if needed.

2. Click on Open loans.

3. Use the check boxes on the left of the Loans window to select the appropriate loan(s).

4. Click the Renew button located in the top right corner of the Loans window.

If the renewal was successful, you will see a green success message in the bottom right corner. The new due date may be sooner than expected if the normal due date would be after a patron’s account has expired. If the renewal was not successful, a pop-up message will appear. If you have the correct permissions, you can click Override from the pop-up window to override the error and renew the loan.

Alternatively, you can renew a loan by clicking on Renew in the Actions column.

Change a due date

To change due dates on one or more loans for a patron:

1. In the user record pane, open the Loans accordion if needed.

2. Click on open loans.

3. Select the check boxes on the left of the Loans window to select the appropriate loan(s).

4. Click the Change due date button located in the top right corner of the Loans window.

5. In the pop-up window that appears, enter a new due date and time or select one from the calendar drop-down.

6. Click Save and close.

Note that if you have permissions to change a loan’s due date, you can change the due date/time to one in the past; FOLIO will give you a warning message but allow the change to go through.

Mark an item claim returned

Occasionally, patrons may tell libraries that they have returned items that are still listed as checked out to them. The library has the option to mark the item as “claim returned.” This will place any associated fines in a suspended state while libraries can carry out workflows to search for the item on their shelves.

To mark an item claim returned:

1. In the user record pane, expand the Loans accordion if needed.

2. Use the check boxes on the left of the Loans window to select the appropriate loan(s).

3. Click the Claim returned button located in the top right corner of the Loans window.

4. In the pop-up window that appears, enter additional information about the patron’s claim

5. Click Confirm.

The loan will remain in the patron’s list of open loans, but the item status will show that the item is claimed returned.

If the library cannot locate the claimed returned item, it will need to decide whether to bill the patron for the item or mark the item missing without charging fines. In FOLIO, this action is referred to as resolving a claim.

To resolve a claim on an item:

1. Click the appropriate loan to open the Loan details window.

2. Click the button marked Resolve claim on the top row.

3. If you are going to bill the patron for the item, choose Declare lost. If you will not be billing the patron for the item, choose Mark as missing.

4. In the pop-up window that appears, FOLIO will show a message to confirm the action you wish to take. Enter any additional information about the patron’s claim (required).

5. Click Confirm.

If you choose to declare the item lost, FOLIO will check the associated lost item fee policy for the loan and charge fees/fines as configured in that policy.

Mark an item declared lost

FOLIO has two options to show that an item has been borrowed and not returned - “aged to lost” and “declared lost.” Aged to lost is an automated status that FOLIO gives to an item when the item is not returned by the date specified in the lost item policy. Declared lost is a manual status that library staff can use when a patron tells the library that they cannot return the item because they can no longer find it or because it had been inadvertently damaged.

Library staff can only mark one loan declared lost at a time.

To mark a loan declared lost:

1. Click the appropriate loan to open the Loan details window.

2. Click Declare lost at the top of the window.

3. In the pop-up window that appears, enter additional information about the circumstances of the loan (required)

4. Click Confirm.

When an item is declared lost, FOLIO will check the associated lost item fee policy for the loan and charge fees/fines as configured in that policy.

Creating a manual fee/fine

Note that your library must configure fee/fine settings prior to charging fee/fines to patrons. See Settings > Users > Owners and Settings > Users> Manual Charges for more information.

1. Find the user record to which you want to add a fee/fine and select it.

2. In the User record pane, expand the Fees/fines accordion if needed.

3. Click Create fee/fine.

4. In the New fee/fine window, select the Fee/fine owner.

5. Select the Fee/fine type.

6. In the Fee/fine amount box, you can do one of three things: Keep the default fee/fine amount, if one is populated for the fee/fine type. Adjust the default fee/fine amount, if it is populated for the fee/fine type. Provide a fee/fine amount, if one did not populate.

7. Optional: To associate the fee/fine with an item, scan or enter the item barcode into the Item information box and click Enter.

8. Optional: Enter any Additional information for staff in the box.

9. Click Charge only to apply the charge to the patron record. FOLIO users with appropriate permissions may be able to create the fine and immediately accept payment by clicking Charge & pay now.

10. Click either Charge & pay now to charge the patron and process the payment or Charge Only to only apply the charge to the user record.

Accepting payment for a fee/fine

1. Find the user record to which you want to accept payment for a fee/fine and select it.

2. In the User record pane, expand the Fees/fines accordion if needed.

3. Select (number of) open fee/fine to view the patron’s open fines.

4. The Fees/fines modal will open. Click the fee/fine you wish to accept payment for.

5. The Fee/fine details modal will open. Click **Actions > Pay **.

6. The Pay fee/fine modal opens. Enter the Payment amount (required). FOLIO can handle full and partial payment. If you are accepting partial payment, the modal will calculate the remaining amount.

7. Select Payment method (required).

8. Input Transaction information and Additional information for staff. The Additional information for staff box may be required if your library has configured that option.

9. Click Pay, then Confirm.

The modal will close, and the Fee/fine details page will update with the payment transaction.

Waiving a fee/fine

Staff with appropriate permissions can apply a partial or full waive to a fee/fine.

1. Find the user record to which you want to accept payment for a fee/fine and select it.

2. In the User record pane, expand the Fees/fines accordion if needed.

3. Select (number of) open fee/fine to view the patron’s open fines.

4. The Fees/fines modal will open. Click the fee/fine you wish to waive.

5. The Fee/fine details modal will open. Click Actions > Waive.

6. The Waive fee/fine modal will open. Enter the amount to waive (required). You can waive some or all of the fine amount. If you are only waiving part of the fine, FOLIO will automatically calculate the remaining amount.

7. Select the Waive reason (required) and enter Additional information for staff. The Additional information for staff box may be required if your library has configured that option.

8. Click Waive, then Confirm.

The modal will close, and the Fee/fine details page will update with the payment transaction.

Refund a fee/fine

Staff with appropriate permissions can partially or fully refund a fee/fine. The payment method must allow refunds.

1. Find the user record to which you want to refund a payment and click it.

2. In the User record pane, expand the Fees/fines accordion if needed.

3. Select View all fees/fines to view the patron’s fines.

4. The Fees/fines modal will open. Click the fee/fine you wish to refund a payment for. It may be Open or Closed.

5. The Fee/fine details modal will open. Click Actions >Refund.

6. The Refund fee/fine modal will open. Enter the amount to refund (required). You can refund some or all of the fine amount. If you are only refunding part of the fine, FOLIO will automatically calculate the remaining amount.

7. Select the Refund reason (required) and enter Additional information for staff. The Additional information for staff box may be required if your library has configured that option.

8. Click Refund, then Confirm.

The modal will close, and the Fee/fine details page will update with the payment transaction.

Mark a fee/fine as error (Cancel fee/fine)

Staff with appropriate permissions can mark a fee/fine as an error; this has the effect of cancelling the fee/fine.

Note that an error can only be applied to a fine in an Outstanding payment status. Marking a fine as an error is intended to be used when the fine is charged as a result of a staff or system/error and as such none of it should be paid.

1. Find the user record to which you want to refund a payment and click it.

2. In the User record pane, expand the Fees/fines accordion if needed.

3. Select View all fees/fines to view the patron’s fines.

4. The Fees/fines modal will open. Click the fee/fine you wish to refund a payment for. It may be Open or Closed.

5. The Fee/fine details modal will open. Click Actions > Error.

6. The Confirm fee/fine cancellation modal will open. Enter Additional information for staff (required).

7. Click Confirm.

The modal will close, and the Fee/fine details page will update with the cancellation transaction.