Refund Functionality in Sierra
Currently, Sierra does not provide built-in functionality for processing or tracking refunds. While the system records partial payments that result in credits (displayed as negative fines) and waivers applied by staff (visible in Fines Paid), there is no equivalent workflow or tracking for refunds.
We request the addition of a refund tracking feature within the patron record, ensuring that staff can see when a refund has been issued. Specifically, we propose:
A clear refund indicator in the patron record.
A display of refund amounts including payment method in the Fines tab, similar to how fines and waivers are shown.
An optional setting to enable/disable this feature based on library needs.
This enhancement would improve transparency, streamline financial tracking, and ensure staff can verify refund activity within Sierra.

The product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.