Items Out

Overview

Lists active loans: title, author (if present), format, renewals left, and due date (orange (overdue) after due). RENEW appears only when policy permits another attempt (no blocks and renewals remain).

items checked out
Figure 1. Items Out Tile

First Use: Enable Checkout History (Optional)

If checkout (circulation) history is off, a prompt may appear when opening history (clock icon). Accept to retain future loans (past loans are not added retroactively).

enable checkout history confirmation
Figure 2. Enable Checkout History Prompt

Checkout history is opt‑in. Declining keeps current privacy settings—renewal functionality is unaffected.

Screen Layout

items checked out screen
Figure 3. Items Checked Out Screen (Example – 1 item, renewal available & overdue)

Element

Meaning

Notes

Header count (e.g., 3 ITEMS CHECKED OUT)

Number of active loans

Updates after successful renewal if item’s due date changes but item remains checked out

History icon (clock/arrow)

Opens checkout history (if enabled)

May trigger enablement prompt first time

Title (bold)

Bibliographic title

Tapping title currently not required for renewal (renew button inline)

Author / format line

Author + material type

Format string mirrors OPAC descriptive term

Renewals left: N

Remaining renewal attempts allowed by policy

Counts both auto‑renew and manual attempts (shared pool)

Due date line

Displays due date; turns orange + (overdue) after due time

Courtesy push notification fires ~3 days prior if feature active

RENEW button

Manual renewal attempt

Hidden if no renewals remain OR policy block OR item is already overdue with block conditions

Renewal Logic (Simplified)

  • Remaining count decreases each successful manual or auto‑renew.

  • Auto‑renew (if configured consortium‑wide) occurs shortly before due date; if it succeeds the due date advances and the remaining count is reduced, so patrons may see fewer renewals left than expected.

  • An item with holds or other blocks (fine threshold, max renewals, specific non‑renewable type) shows no RENEW button.

If the patron expects an auto‑renew but sees the count unchanged and the due date approaching, advise a manual RENEW attempt—failure message in OPAC/staff client will clarify (e.g., Item has hold). The app itself simply hides the button when renewal is not allowed.

Manual Renewal Workflow

  1. Open Items Out.

  2. Locate the target loan; confirm Renewals left > 0.

  3. Tap RENEW.

  4. App sends a renewal request; on success:

    • Due date updates

    • Renewals left decrements

    • Overdue label (if present) disappears if new date is in future

  5. If renewal fails (no change or button disappears on refresh), check for blocks (holds, max renewals, policy) in staff client.

If patrons watch the screen closely, they may not notice the due date shift. Suggest taking a screenshot before tapping RENEW for comparison when coaching remotely.

Auto‑Renew vs Courtesy Push

Aspect

Auto‑Renew

Courtesy Push

Trigger Time

Policy‑defined (e.g., hours before due)

~3 days before due date

What It Does

Attempts to extend loan

Reminds patron to act

Consumes Renewal Count

Yes (successful only)

No

Visible in App Immediately

Updated due date & lower renewals count

No explicit badge—just push on device

Limitations

  • No inline error reason when a renewal is blocked—button simply absent or action silently fails to change values (needs staff client/OPAC for message).

  • Cannot renew multiple items in batch (one at a time only).

  • Does not display fine accrual projections—see Fines tile or staff client.

  • Checkout history (once enabled) is forward‑looking only; past loans not imported.

Best Practices

  • Encourage enabling checkout history if patrons frequently ask “Did I already borrow…?”

  • Remind patrons that holds, max renewal limits, or non‑renewable formats override remaining count expectations.

  • Suggest manual renewal a day before due if auto‑renew reliability is critical to them.

  • Promote push notifications as a lightweight reminder—not a guarantee of successful renewal.

Quick Troubleshooting

Issue

Resolution

RENEW button missing

No renewals remain, item on hold, non‑renewable type, or policy block—verify in staff client

Due date unchanged after tapping

Possibly blocked; refresh (leave tile & return); check staff client for block reason

Overdue but still shows RENEW

Some policies allow post‑due renew within grace—attempt renewal; if fails, staff intervention needed

Renewals left seems low

Auto‑renew already consumed one; explain shared pool

History icon does nothing

Enable history via prompt or account settings in OPAC

Courtesy push not received

Verify device notifications enabled; timing may fall outside expected window (edge cases)

Advising repeated rapid taps on RENEW can cause confusion—one request is sufficient; have patron navigate out and back to confirm.

Related Documentation