Borrowing and returning an item
The loan tracking system lets you know at any time which item is checked out, by whom, and until when.
Recording a loan
A loan starts from the Borrow button on the item’s card in the catalogue. A dialog opens to select the borrowing pupil and the expected return date, then confirm the loan. The interface does not currently offer borrowing by a staff member — only a pupil can be selected as borrower.
There is no detailed item page: everything happens from the catalogue card and from the Loans page.
Recording a return
A return is recorded from the Loans page, by clicking Return next to the relevant loan. The loan then changes to Returned status and the copy immediately becomes available for a new loan.
Loan statuses
A loan can have one of the following statuses:
- Active — the loan is ongoing, the copy has not been returned yet.
- Returned — the copy has been returned.
- Overdue — the expected return date has passed and the copy has not been returned yet.
- Lost — the copy could not be found.
An item remains available to borrow as long as at least one copy is available, even if other copies are currently on loan.
Best practices
- Set a realistic return date for each loan: this is what triggers the “Overdue” status.
- Record the return as soon as the item is handed back, from the Loans page, so that the catalogue reflects the true availability of copies.