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Today’s Topic:  Modify Due Dates, or "Help--I'm stuck in quarantine and my stuff has already been renewed!" 

Sometimes you need to extend loan periods by a certain number or days(like ILL renewals), or need to make all of a patron's checkedout items due on a specific date(like they are stuck in quarantine 14 days).  What's the best way to accomodate these situations??  ...Read more...

As mentioned last week, there are 2 methods to alter the loan period of items: 1) at the time of checkout (Special Due Date Helper--last week's 'Minder); or, 2) after the patron has checkedout (Modify Due Date).  Today we will focus on changing the due date for materials already checkedout using Modify Due Date.  

 Modify Due Dates Wizard is found in 2 places: 

On the "3Special" Toolbar:	...And by Right-Clicking on the item(s) checkedout as they appear in the patron record (either in Display Patron/Checkouts Tab, or in Checkout Wizard under "Current user checkouts:"

Once you have Modify Due Date open, you have 2 options for changing the due date: 1) to Apply the same date to all items (pink); or 2) to select a different due date for each checked item (blue).

Click on the date gadgets to open a calendar. Select a new due date. Just like with Special Due Date helper, check to be sure the due time is also correct.  Then click on the Modify User Due Dates button. Be careful--you can make things due in the past and they will immediately be overdue!!  Patrons may not get notices for items artificially made overdue.

It is possible to use Modify Due Date to shorten a loan period--say someone checksout a hot new DVD to a Homebound patron or on a Teacher card and so now the DVD goes out for longer than 7 days.  You could change that to be due sooner. HOWEVER---you would need to notify the patron of the change in due date.  Otherwise, it is rather like the dentist/doctor changing your appointment and hoping you show up at the right time.  We always stress that pre-due and overdue notices are a "courtesy" and patrons are responsible for returning materials on time even if they don't get them.... 

Next Week's Topic: Notices! or "Fizzbin. It's not too difficult...."

Share & Enjoy!
Karla