check in claimed returned workflow - item location should reflect where item was made claimed returned
For libraries with floating collections, the branch where an item is marked Claimed Returned may not be reflected in the item record. This is because none of the three Claimed Returned options update the item's location.
Example
An item is checked out from Location A.
The patron reports returning it to Location B, and staff mark it Claimed Returned at Location B.
The item record still shows Location A.
When marking an item Claimed Returned, staff have three options:
1.Add a Claimed Returned note to both the item and patron records.
2.Remove the checkout link between the patron and the item (equivalent to clearing the checkout without charging a fine). Staff can manually apply a charge if needed.
3.Mark the item as Missing (Status = 'm') and cancel any outstanding holds.
Important: In option 2, the item is not actually checked in. The system simply removes the connection between the patron and the item, so no check-in transaction occurs and the item's location is not updated.
Why this matters
Libraries with floating collections allow patrons to return items to any branch. If a patron returns an item to a different branch than where it was checked out and staff later mark it Claimed Returned, the item record continues to show the original checkout location. As a result, staff have no indication of the branch where the item was reportedly returned, making the item much more difficult to locate.
Elizabeth Wright
shared this idea
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Elizabeth Wright
commented
I have attached an example of an item record with a status of claimed returned.
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Shawn P. Farrell
commented
As a library that floats most of our collection, we too often see this problem & without this nuance, these items are very difficult to look for in the reports we produce. We'd love to see this addressed.
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Elizabeth Wright
commented
For libraries with floating collections, the location where an item was made "claimed returned" may not reflected in the item record. This is because the 3 options staff have when an item is "claimed returned" does not change the location of the item.
Essentially the problem:
An item is “checked out” at location A.
The item is “claimed returned” at location B.
The item location remains as location A.Staff have 3 choices when they make an item claimed returned:
· 1. Places a claimed returned note in both the item and patron records
· 2. (Optional) Removes the check-out link between the patron and the item; this is equivalent to checking in the item without assessing a fine. If desired, the operator can generate a manual charge and apply it to the patron.
· 3. (Optional) Flags the item as missing (STATUS = 'm') and cancels any outstanding holds on the item
In the second scenario above the item is not "checked in" - instead the link between the patron and the item is severed and there is no check in.
Why is this important? Libraries with floating collections often allow customers to return their items to any branch. If the customer says that they returned the item to a branch that was not their checkout location at a later date, the item is impossible to find. The item location still reflects the original checkout location.
Thank you,
Elizabeth
