With all the libraries closed yesterday, you may wonder what the best way to set up a grace period for books due yesterday. Since each library decides decides whether to close and each library decides how to apply or cancel fines for the day, WLS doesn’t change the due dates across the system or cancel fines for the day. However libraries have two tools within Workflows to extend amnesty on fines in cases like these.Bookdrop Checkin Gadget

  • They can use the Bookdrop CheckIn wizard to change the effective date of checkin. Use the gadget to set the date and time that the checkin is effective.  Most libraries use this option for outside drop boxes, setting the effective date to the night before so that anyone that dropped off something due the night before doesn’t get a fine, but it also works in this instance.
  • They can also use “CANCEL” as a payment type in the Pay Bills wizard. Using this selection, instead of CASH, CHECK, or CREDIT, allows library staff to pay a fine on one or more items, but not have it count against any cash reporting for the till.

What’s the preferred method at your library?