WorkFlows/Circulation Terminology

General WorkFlows Terms:

Command
A command is a button on the toolbar that only performs one task.

Datawell/Search Box
This is the text box for typing in search terms.

Gadget
A gadget is a button next to a text box that provides options you can use in that box. When you click the gadget, a window appears giving a pre-defined list of values. Always use the gadget to fill in the box if one is available.

Glossary
This term refers to any word in WorkFlows with a dashed underline. When you click on the word, a pop-up window provides additional information.

Helper
A helper is a “wizard within a wizard.” Helpers are positioned in a menu bar just below the active window’s title bar.

Hitlist
This is the search-results list that displays after entering a search.

Wizard
A wizard is a button or a link on the toolbar that performs a series of discrete tasks.


Circulation terms:

Bill
This is any money—fines or fees, owed to the library by a user.

Barred
This is the status of a user that has been set manually delinquent.

Blocked
This is the system-set status of a user who can’t check out material because of bills or overdues.

Demand Management
This is the SirsiDynix software for managing holds between libraries.

Fine
Fines accrue on overdue items until the items are discharged and bills are created by the system. Fines cannot be paid—Bills are paid.

Hold
This is a reserve for an item that is either on the shelf, or is checked out to another user.

Onshelf items with Holds
This is a report that lists items to be sent to other libraries.

Location
A location is a collection within a Library, or the status of the item.

Current Location
The actual location of the item—including checked out, lost and damaged

Home Location
The normal shelving location of the item

Request
This can be a hold, a request for purchase, or a request for an Interlibrary loan item. In most cases a request generates a form that is sent to staff for processing.  Users place holds on items.

Station
The PC used for the circulation transaction—the client software on the PC is configured for each specific library. 

Transit
This is the location of an item that is moving from one library to another.

User
This is the patron or the borrower.
And
This is the staff user of a library station.
And
This is a special-situation user or location, such as admin, discard, intransit, mending, etc. For example, items can be “checked out” to user Damaged. (These transactions are not included in circulation counts.)