Hi, some of my libraries use a separate itemtpye 'multimedia equipment' for lending laptops and cameras. With a separate itemtype you can set up rules for patron category/itemtype combinations, which works quite well. I am not sure if using a separate branch gives you a real advantage. You can do separate things for overdues in Koha, so I am not sure where your problem is located. You can block the patron from different actions (renewal, checkout, placing holds) using system preferences (OPACFineNoRenewals, noissuescharge, maxoutstanding) and a fine amount. You can also debar patrons with sending out overdue notices (tools > overdue notice/status triggers). The number of overdue books does not influence the checkout, onle the fine amounts and time span since the books got overdue can. Those blocks will take effect system wide, so a separate branch will not make a difference. You can also check the manual for more information about fines and setting up circulation rules: http://koha-community.org/documentation/ Hope that helps a bit. -- Katrin -----Original Message----- From: koha-bounces@lists.katipo.co.nz on behalf of library Sent: Tue 08.11.2011 21:57 To: koha@lists.katipo.co.nz Subject: [Koha] Branches and circulation rules Tena koutou We are struggling to understand the way individual branches work. We would like to create an independent branch to issue laptops to students (and departmental resources later) which will not be affected by how many library books students have overdue. I have tried setting circulation rules in the laptop issues branch to be completely different to those in our library but this has not worked. Are we able to define differing borrow rules for the same patron at different libraries. Could someone direct me to more complete instructions on how the overdues systems work or how circulation rules work. We are still using 3.2 but will be migrating to 3.6 in the New Year. Thanks Ann Murphy Librarian Katikati College amurphy@katikaticollege.school.nz