Checking Out Library Items

Perhaps the most important duty of an authorized CML administrator is that of checking library materials out to library users. This task consists of matching a request for a library item with an actual library item, and removing (dequeuing) that request from the request queue.

The CML element that actually dequeues requests is the Admin COM component.

Items that are not checked out automatically when checked in will appear on the View Requests and Check Out page.

The View Requests and Check Out page consists of a list of requests. These requests include data such as title, item, item location, user name, user-recommended delivery location, comments associated with the request, and importantly, a drop-down list box of available items that could satisfy the request. For example, if two requests are present and two matching items are available, all of these are displayed to the administrator, who can assign each item to its corresponding request before submitting the page. All current requests are displayed.

After assigning items that are in the library to individual requests, an administrator can submit the whole page as full. In other words, checkout can be done with one action for all the requests in the database. Checkout is performed in a loop on the Checkout.asp page using the Admin object, and then checkout notification mail is sent to each borrower using the xp_sendmail extended stored procedure.

These steps are performed when items are checked out:

  1. An administrator clicks View Requests and Check Out on the Administration Menu screen (Menu.asp) to show the "Materials Requested" list. As this is displayed by ViewRequests.asp, the list is automatically populated with pending requests for library items. The administrator determines which items are available for checkout and enters the barcode for each.
  2. The administrator submits the list of requests for checkout. As requests are filled, errors may occur; they are displayed on this (Checkout.asp) page.
  3. The stored procedure fm_admin_checkout copies requests to the items being checked out and changes the status of each item to "out."
  4. If there are no errors, control is redirected to ViewRequests.asp so that the administrator can assign (check out) other items. This page displays only the first request for each item.