[Koha] Branches and circulation rules

[Fischer, Katrin]

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 at lists.katipo.co.nz on behalf of library
Sent: Tue 08.11.2011 21:57
To: koha at 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 at katikaticollege.school.nz

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