School Libraries and Information Literacy FAQs
Resource Boxes
How do I set up a resource box?
This OPTION is used to group a collection of resources so that they can be borrowed in bulk and only the barcode of the resource box needs to be recorded, thus reducing handling.
In Circulation
- In B2-D1 <A>dd Resource Loan Category for Resource Box. Answer NO to Part Day Loan and NO to Fiction.
- In B2-D2 with the cursor next to staff, press <L>oans and <A>dd the Resource Loan Category for Resource Boxes and the number of days they may be borrowed. This enables teaching staff to borrow the resources boxes.
In General Resources
- Select B1-D1 General Resources and <A>dd to add details of the resource box.
- In the title field, add a resource box container (this can be a crate, bag or whatever is suitable) entitled eg “Resource Box: Reading Program….” All other details may remain blank by pressing <Enter>; or you can create a Location: Box = Resource Box in B1-B4 Location Authority File.
- Accept the barcode offered if it is correct. If it is ESSENTIAL to allocate a barcode to the resource box. This barcode can either be attached to the box or kept on a card and kept at Charge Desk.
- The resource box must be allocated the loan category allocated to Resource Boxes in B2-D1.
- Ensure that all resources that will be placed in the box have already been entered into General Resources.
In Circulation
- Select B2-E5 Resource Box.
- Wand or type in the barcode of the resource box.
- From the option bar select <A>dd. The barcode field is highlighted.
- Wand the barcode of the resource being entered. The barcode and the title will appear. The resource will now become a “member” of the resource box.
- Continue this process until you have added all the resources. You may add more resources at a later date.
- The status of each resource in the box is displayed, i.e. whether the resource is “in” the box or “on loan”.
Printing contents of a Resource Box
- A list of the contents of the box can be printed by selecting B2-M3Listings for Resource Boxes. One copy of the list could be placed in the box and another copy kept on file in the library.
- The option bar prompts you to select <A>ll or <S>elect resource boxes. If printing contents of a specific resource box, select <S>elect
- OASIS prompts you to enter the barcode of the resource box. Enter the barcode in the first field, press <Enter>;. Enter the barcode again and press <Enter>;. Entering the same barcode twice will print the contents of that particular resource box. Alternatively, a range of barcodes may be entered.
- Select the printer in the normal manner.
- Note: F2 Run Reports has two sample reports specific to Resource Boxes.
- Library 55; Resource Boxes – including contents
- Library 56: Resource Box – Select by Resource Barcode.
Lending a Resource Box
- Select B2-E1 Loans
- Enter the borrower’s barcode number
- Wand the barcode of the resource box container. All resources within that box are included in the loan to that borrower.
- Note: Individual resources from the box can be borrowed in the usual manner. When the resource is returned OASIS “beeps” and displays the message “Item belongs to a resource box”.
Returning a Resource Box
- If you are in B2-E5 Resource Boxes, type the barcode of the resource box into the option bar and press <Enter>. From the option bar select <R>trn. OASIS immediately displays the return screen.
- OR
- Select B2-E2 Returns or wand the RETURN command.
- Return each resource in the box. When the resource is returned, OASIS “beeps” and displays the message “Item belongs to a resource box”.
- Note: If a returned resource is overdue and it belongs to a resource box, the overdue message “Overdue by…days” will appear on the returns screen as it takes precedence over the “Item belongs to a resource box” message.
- Return the resource box container by wanding the barcode of the box.
Disbanding the Resource Box
- If the items are no longer required for the resource box, they need to be deleted as members of the box.
- Select B2-E5 Resource Boxes.
- Wand or type in the resource box barcode. The contents of the box will be displayed.
- Place the cursor against the first resource to be removed, if a lot of resources in the box can select <F>ind and wand in barcode of resource to be deleted, select <D>elete from the option bar.
- Select <C>onfirm and the resource will be removed from the resource box. Continue this process until all resources in the box have been deleted.
- The resource box can remain in General Resources and can be used for a different collection of resource in the future.
In Resource Boxes, the option bar displays the following options:
- <D>elete: The delete option deletes the resource indicated by the cursor. Confirmation is required.
- <C>nt: The count option tallies the total number of resources in the box. If it also displays the number of resources on loan from the box at the top of the screen.
- <B>kng: The Bookings option is displayed and resources can be borrowed.
- <R>trn: The Returns option is displayed and resources can be returned.
- Rser<V>e: The Reservations option is displayed and resources can be reserved.
When operating Resource Boxes OASIS may “beep” and the following messages may be displayed:
- Invalid Barcode:
- Indicates that the resource’s barcode has not been included in General Resources.
- Already Exists:
- Indicates that the resource has already been allocated to the resource box.
- Belongs to another resources box:
- Indicates that the resource has already been allocated to another resource box. The barcode of the resource box is displayed as part of the message.
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