482.31 Category Validation (age related)[//]

You can create age groups and relate these to one or more borrower categories. If a borrower category is changed in AFO 431 the system will check the valid categories that correspond to the age of the borrower.  If the borrower category is not valid, an error message is displayed. If a borrower category is changed in AFO 431 the system will check the valid categories that correspond to the age of the borrower.  If the borrower category is not valid, an error message is displayed.

After choosing this option the following form will be displayed.

·                Add an age group and move the valid category to the right.

If the table contains no entry at all, no age check will be done.

Ages that do not fall in any of the defined age groups have no restrictions on borrower category (i.e. all categories are valid).

Example table:

Note

When the system is configured is such a way that an age can fall in multiple categories, the internal global will contain the result of an OR operation. Example:

·                The age categories

-            0-4 – category A,B,C

-            0-6 – category C,D,E,F

·                correspond to the following ages:

-            0 – A,B,C,D,E,F

-            1 – A,B,C,D,E,F

-            2 – A,B,C,D,E,F

-            3 – A,B,C,D,E,F

-            4 – A,B,C,D,E,F

-            5 – C,D,E,F

-            6 – C,D,E,F

When codes have already been defined, an overview screen will be displayed:

Options on the screen

New code: Select this option to enter a new code. When you select this option, an input screen will be displayed. This screen is explained above.

Update code(+):Select a code and then this option to modify the code.

Delete code(+):Select a code and then this option to delete the code.

Note

This parameter has no relation to any other age category related parameters.

482.32 Automatic pincode generation[//]

If your library is set up to generate pincodes from date of birth, you can use this option to automatically generate pincodes based on date of birth for borrowers without pincodes when you leave the borrower’s record in AFO 431. These parameters are set at the metaInstitution level.

After choosing this option the following form will be displayed:

Automatically generate pincode from date of birth:  set this flag if you wish to automatically generate pincodes when you leave the borrower’s record in AFO 431. This flag should only be set if your library generates pincodes from the date of birth field.

Default pincode if date of birth is not available: enter either a valid date or 99/99/9999.

If the automatic generate flag is set and your PIN generation is based on DateOfBirth and the borrower does not already have a PIN code, the system will automatically generate a pincode (using either the borrower’s date of birth or the default in defined above) when you leave the borrower's record.

Pincodes may also be automatically generated for borrowers entered through the WebOpac.

482.33 Display district code[//]

If you have selected to display the district code for the Data to be entered and Data to be corrected options in AFO 482, a dropdown list will be displayed when adding/modifying a borrower record. This parameter determines what the dropdown list looks like

After choosing this option the following form will be displayed:

Fields on the screen

District display includes: choose a format from the dropdown list. There are four options:

- only code
- only wording (gives nothing if district is not in authority)
- code followed by wording
- wording followed by code

Punctuation between code and wording: When you choose option 0 or 1 you can specify here what the punctuation between code and wording must be.

482.34 Collection agency codes[//]

These parameters are stored at the Circulation metainstitution level. Multiple collection agency codes may be set up for each Circulation metainstitution.

After choosing the Collection agency codes option, a screen appears showing you all of the collection agency codes already set up for your Circulation metainstitution:

Options on the screen

New: choose this option to create a new code. See section 482.34.1.

Choose code: choose a code and then this option to modify the details. See section 482.34.1.

Delete: choose a code and then this option to delete the code.

482.34.1 Add/modify codes[//]

After choosing the New or Choose code option an input form will be presented:

Fields on the screen

Collection code: a unique code for this collection agency. When updating an existing code, this field will be protected (i.e. once a code has been added, you can not modify the code itself).

Description: a brief description of the collection agency.

Locations to link: combo box showing list of institution/location combinations (including institution/* to select all locations for a specific institution). If an institution/location combination is already linked to another collection agency code, the list will not include this combination. Select a location and use the arrows to move it.

Exempt fee types: combo box showing list of fee types that are not collected by the collection agency. Select a fee type and use the arrows to move it.

Monetary threshold: If a Borrower's aged aggregate amount owed (see Aging and Grace period parameter below) equals or exceeds this value, the Borrower's bills and invoices will be sent to the Collection Agency for collection. The aggregate amount is calculated only from fee types not included in the Exempt fee types field.

Collection fee: On going to collection, an additional processing fee will be added to the existing invoices.

Aging parameter (in days): (i.e. 6 years = 2189). Invoices, fines and other payable amounts older than this criteria will be ignored.

Grace period (in days): (ignore current invoices within X days). Invoices, fines and other payable amounts more recent than this will be ignored.

Exempt borrower categories: list of borrower categories that are exempt (e.g.: Staff, Bankruptcy). Select a borrower category and use the arrows to move it.

Email address: enter the email address of the Collection Company to which reports must be sent.