Patron Blocks Table (Admin>Parameters>General - Sierra)
This documentation explains the functionality and data elements of the Patron Block table.
Table of Contents
Patron Blocks Table Overview
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The Patron Blocks table specifies the conditions to block patrons from performing all or certain types of circulation transactions. When the patron performs a transaction (such as checking out an item or placing a hold), the system compares the value in the patron's P TYPE and PAT AGENCY fixed-length fields to the blocking conditions specified for this patron type and agency in the Patron Blocks table.
Functionality Information
The system reads the Patron Blocks table from top to bottom. General entries (such as those that contain wildcards) should appear lower in the table than more specific entries. The very last entry in the table should be set up to apply to all patron types and agencies (that is, the Patron Type element should be set to "9999" and the Patron Agency element should be set to "999").
Data Elements
Entries in the Patron Blocks table contain the following data elements:
Element | Description | Possible Values |
|---|---|---|
Patron Type | The P TYPE fixed-length field values to which the block criteria in this entry apply. | A single value from the Patron Type table, or a 9999 wildcard code to represent all patron types. |
Patron Agency | The PAT AGENCY fixed-length field values to which the block criteria in this entry apply. | A single value from the Agency table, or a wildcard code 999 to represent all agencies. |
Patron Exp. Date | Determines whether to block expired patrons from checking out items. An expired patron is one with an EXP DATE fixed-length field value earlier than or equal to the current date. For more information, see How Sierra Calculates the Due Date for a Checkout. | y - Block expired patrons from checking out items. n - Do not block expired patrons at checkout. |
Max Owed | The maximum amount the patron can owe (from the MONEY OWED fixed-length field in the patron record) before being blocked. | 0.00 - 9,999,999.00. A value of 0 blocks patrons from checking out items. |
Max Itema | The maximum number of items from each of four library-defined item categories that the patron can have checked out at any one time (up to the maximum number of items that can be checked out according to the Max Items element). This impacts how specific Itypes and or location codes are assigned limits. | 0-999. A value of 0 indicates that the patron can check out an unlimited number of items from a given category. To prevent patrons from checking out any item from a particular category, request that Marmot staff set the patron block to -1 for the category. Note that you can also use loan rules to block checkouts based on item type and location. See How Sierra Determines the Loan Rule for a Transaction for more information. |
Max Items | The maximum number of items the patron can have checked out at one time, including INN-Reach and ILL items. Note that at INN-Reach Central Servers, the MAX ITEMS element represents INN-Reach items only. | 0-2100. A value of 0 blocks patrons from checking out items. Each library chooses the max number of items a patron can check out. |
Highest Level Odues | The level of overdue notice at which the patron is blocked. The system tracks a patron's overdue level in the HLODUES fixed-length field and blocks patrons who have received more than the specified number of overdue notices for any currently checked-out item. | A number between 1 and the highest level of overdue notice your library generates (up to 6). A value higher than 7 means if an item is not returned within 7 days (or 7 hours if it is an hourly item) of its due date, the first notice is sent. |
Depending on the type of transaction you are performing, other elements from the Patron Blocks table can cause a block. For more information, see Possible Blocks when Checking Out an Item and Patron Blocks table.
Possible Blocks when Checking Out an Item
Sierra prevents blocked patrons from performing circulation transactions. When you attempt to check out an item, Sierra can encounter a condition that blocks the checkout. When this occurs, you must either resolve the problem or override the block to proceed with the checkout. If you override a block, the system logs the override to the circulation overrides file containing messages concerning overridden circulation due dates, patron and item blocks, overridden holds, and waived fines. Marmot maintains the circulation override file.
For more information, see the following:
In addition, the system checks for blocks on a patron record when you attempt to do any of the following:
place an INN-Reach request
Manual Blocks
If the patron record contains a manual block, the system blocks the patron and displays the message associated with the patron record's MBLOCK value.
For example:
Message | Action |
|---|---|
BAD ADDRESS | The patron record's MBLOCK field contains a value that corresponds to the label BAD ADDRESS. Override the block or update the patron's MBLOCK field to proceed with the transaction. |
Hold Blocks
The following messages display when you try to check out a held item to a patron who is not at the top of the hold queue:
Message | Action |
|---|---|
Item on hold for another patron .p<xxxxxxx>. Check out item anyway? | Another patron is at the top of the item's hold queue. Choose Yes to override the hold and check out the item, or choose No to cancel the checkout. If you choose Yes, the system:
|
Item on holdshelf for another patron .p<xxxxxxx>. Check out item anyway? | The item is on the holdshelf for another patron. Choose Yes to override the hold and check out the item, or choose No to cancel the checkout. If you choose Yes, the system:
|