Returning items from the patron services - return tab of the wrong patron
If a book loaned from a patron it has returned through Patron services - Return Tab of a wrong patron, Alma does not block the action. The system send return email receipt to the wrong patron who did not loan the book.
The system should stop the action as the operator, for mistake, has returned the book from the patron services of a patron who did not loan the item.
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In the December 2017 Release, a new warning was added for cases when an item of another user, is returned in the session of the current user. For more details please see: https://knowledge.exlibrisgroup.com/Alma/Release_Notes/0099_2017/01_December_2017/Alma_December_2017_Release_Notes/04Fulfillment_-_December_2017_Enhancements#Additional_Fulfillment_Enhancements
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KF commented
I don't think the use case described, registering that one patron returned something on behalf of another, is something that would be in use at our library ever. I would like to be able to hide or disable the return tab for some levels of users. It shows as a "tab with information" even when nothing is listed. I have to explain to users that when they need to return books, they should ignore that link that says "Return" in favor of the smaller link at the top.
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S. Kerber commented
In case # 00376347 Exlibris told us that "the issue will be resolved in the first quarter of 2018"
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Matt T commented
I've also wondered what the point of returning an item in the user context is. I've used it once - when an apologetic patron advised she was returning an item she had neglected to check out earlier. Otherwise, I don't see the point of it.
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Luigi Siciliano commented
Dear Daniela, Moshe, Fabiano,
I believe that the possibility that anyone can return a book loaned by someone else is useful and shall be kept.
It seems to me that the main issue here is following line:
"The system send return email receipt to the wrong patron who did not loan the book. "
In my opinion, this is the most important part and that's why I voted this idea. The return email should be sent to the patron who did loan the book, regardless how/who did it. "Return Items" should be normally used if X returns the iten for Y. But if, by mistake, that happens when managing patron services of another user, the system should at least warn about the circumstance.Luigi
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Petrone Fabiano commented
Hi, Moshe
sadly I disagree.
You say "Patrons can get someone else to check in their items".
Ok, but this IMHO is the "patron proxy" option that should be properly configured (if necessary) for a single patron: in a normal workflow I imagine every patron returning his own books..
Another thing: let's suppose that "rationale" is what you say...don't you find that "still more rationale" would be the fact that if A returns the book of B, Alma send TWO mails (both to A and B)?
Thanks,
Fabiano -
Hi,
The system rationale is that if an item is checked in, it should not matter who physically returned it. Patrons can get someone else to check in their items, and the Return Items screen also allows returning without any patron context.
Thanks,
Moshe