Can items be batch discharged?

Question

Can items be batch discharged?

Use case 1: A lot of items were given a Lost status years ago and we would like to discharge them all from the patrons.

Use case 2: Discharging browsed items left in the stacks.

Answer

There is no batch discharge function in Voyager.  In part this is because pop-up exceptions that require an action by the operator greatly complicate automated discharge workflows.

One way to expedite manually discharging a large number of lost items (use case 1 above) is to print the barcodes in barcode font and use a barcode scanner to discharge the items in the Circulation client:

1. Query for barcodes associated with items. Example queries that look for items with status of 13 or 14 (Lost--Library Applied or Lost--System Applied):

Access Query:

SQLPlus Query:

SELECT ITEM_BARCODE.ITEM_BARCODE
FROM ITEM_BARCODE
, ITEM_STATUS
WHERE  ITEM_BARCODE.ITEM_ID=ITEM_STATUS.ITEM_ID
AND ITEM_STATUS.ITEM_STATUS IN (13,14);

2. Print barcodes in barcode font. Example:

   

3. Open Circulation > Discharge
4. Use barcode scanner to scan each barcode into Circulation client discharge window.

A similar workflow could also be used for browsed items (use case 2 above). 

In this situation you can:

1. Scan the barcodes into a file
2. Print the barcodes in barcode font
3. Process as above using a barcode scanner to scan each printed barcode into the Circulation client.

Additional Information

The barcode font that is included with Voyager is called "Barcode 3 of 9".

• Article last edited: 14-May-2019