Standalone Software for SIRSI Users
v. 2.14
by Joel Hahn, Niles Public Library District

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
   This program is intended as a Windows-based replacement for the 
DOS-based standalone program that SIRSI ships with its software.  The 
primary difference between this program and the DOS-based program is 
the Windows interface.  It uses the same log file as the DOS-based 
program, and, when the system is back on-line, the transactions are 
loaded in the same manner.

   The program is designed to be as straightforward and easy to use as 
possible.  Also, in order to keep potential errors due to typographical
mistakes to a minimum, users will often make selections from a limited 
set of choices rather than type in all data for each transaction.  The 
program can also do some moderate verification of standard 14-digit 
barcodes, to ensure that they are scanned or typed in correctly and in 
the correct place, as well as whether item barcodes have been entered
multiple times in the same session.

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HOW TO USE
   The first time you use the program, a program settings window will
appear.  This is designed to be used by local administrators to
customize the program's behavior for your local needs.  An explanation
of the settings is included in the next section.  Click Restore to 
revert all of the settings back to the last saved values.  Click Accept 
to accept the current settings and go on with the program.  (The 
settings will be saved when you exit the program.)

   If there is an existing LOG file on your computer, a window will 
appear asking you if you want these transactions added to it, or 
whether the program should create another LOG file.  Previous LOG files
will be renamed with the date the file was last used, so when the time 
comes to upload files, you will be able to know what order to load them
in.
   Choose the station library for all transactions in the window that 
appears.  The program will verify your choice, then take you to the 
main program window.  If the "Edit Library List" button appears, you 
can click that button to add library policies to the drop-down list.
   From there you can Check In (Discharge), Check Out (Charge), Renew,
Add User, or Exit.  The checkboxes at the bottom of the window 
determine whether or not receipts are printed for the associated type 
of transaction.

Check In:
   For items returned today, simply scan or type each barcode into the
data entry box.  A list of items with the checkin date will appear in 
the list box.
   To backdate checkins, click the Change button and select a the 
closest date from the list.
   Click Done to return to the main window.

Check Out:
   Select the checkout period for the first item.  One week through one
month are provided, and a fifth slot is used for periods from one day 
to one year.  To change the special checkout date, click the Change 
button and select the closest period from the list.
   Scan or type the patron's barcode into the associated box.  The box 
will vanish and be replaced with text showing the patron's barcode.
   Scan or type the each item's barcode.  The barcodes and date due 
will appear in the list box.  If an item needs a different checkout 
period, select the period before scanning the item.
   When you are done scanning all of the items for that patron, click 
the Next Patron button to check items out to the next patron, or click 
Done to return to the main window.

Renew:
   Select the renewal period for the first item.  One week through one 
month are provided, and a fifth slot is used for periods from one day 
to one year.  To change the special checkout date, click the Change 
button and select the closest period from the list.
   Scan each item.  The barcodes and date due will appear in the list 
box.  If an item needs a different checkout period, select the period 
before scanning the item.
   When you are done scanning all of the items for that patron, click 
the Next Patron button to check items out to the next patron, or click 
Done to return to the main window.

Add User:
   Type the user's first name, last name, and middle initial into the 
appropriate boxes.
   Scan or type the barcode that will be assigned to this patron in the
appropriate box.
   Select the user's User Profile from the list.  If the "Edit Profiles
List" button appears, you can click that button to add user profiles to
the drop-down list.
   Click Add Patron to create the user record.
   Repeat for each user.
   When done, click Done to return to the main window.
   IMPORTANT NOTE: This function does not include all of the data 
normally stored in a user record; it is intended merely as a temporary 
measure that will allow the patron to check items out.  When the system
is back on-line, you will need to go in and add any additional data 
your library uses, such as User Categories, Department, PIN, and 
Addresses.

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ADVANCED SETTINGS
   The program stores some settings in an INI file in the same 
directory as the program file.  If the INI file is not present when the
program is run, the program automatically creates an INI file with 
default values.  Here is an explanation of the settings.  The first 
section is intended for advanced users to define local settings.  The 
second section is made up entirely of settings which can always be set 
by anyone through the normal use of the program.

   All of the settings in the first section can be edited via the 
initial Edit Settings window.  If you turn off the setting that 
displays the Edit Settings window, the only way to make the settings 
window reappear is to edit the INI file and change the 
DisplayProperties setting from 0 to 1.

EDITABLE SETTINGS (Parenthetical names are included when the key name 
in the INI file is different from the Edit Settings name sans any 
spaces.)

Station Number:
   A number between 1 and 999 identifying the particular station.  
   Stations do not need to have unique numbers if you do not want them 
   to.
Station User:
   The station user's profile.  For most sites, this can be left as the
   default of STANDALONE.
List Editing (EnableListEdit):
   Toggles whether or not the "Edit List" buttons are available on the 
   Library Chooser and Add Patron windows.  To minimize the possible 
   errors when your LOG file is loaded, disable this setting after you 
   have made sure the Library and Profile lists are complete for your 
   library; that way, staff cannot unintentionally add invalid policies
   to the lists.
Libraries:
   Click the button to edit the list of valid Library policies for your
   site.  The program has a maximum of approximately twenty libraries.
   (This data is stored in the INI file as a comma-delimited list with 
   a maximum length of 255 characters, including commas.)
Profiles:
   Click the button to edit the list of valid User Profiles for your
   site.  The program has a maximum of approximately twenty profiles.
   (This data is stored in the INI file as a comma-delimited list with 
   a maximum length of 255 characters, including commas.)
Check Digits (UseCheckDigits):
   Toggle routines that check for an initial check digit which 
   signifies barcode type (patron vs. item) and a final check digit 
   that verifies whether the barcode was entered properly.  The final 
   check digit algorithm requires 14-digit barcodes that use a MOD 10 
   alternating digits algorithm.  (Most or all numeric 14-digit library
   barcodes do; this is the standard SIRSI uses for barcodes they 
   generate for customers.)  
Patron Code:
   An initial digit that signifies that the barcode is for a patron, 
   not an item.  (This is usually either 2 or 4.)   This setting is 
   accessible only if Check Digits is checked.
Item Code:
   An initial digit that signifies that the barcode is for an item, not
   a patron.  (This is usually either 3 or 5.)  This setting is 
   accessible only if Check Digits is checked.
Receipt Header:
   Text that prints at the top of all receipts.  The text is 
   automatically centered, based on a standard 40-space paper width.
   No single line can be more than 40 characters, and the program has
   a maximum limit of approximately 6-10 lines.  (The data is stored as
   a pipe-delimited list with a maximum length of 255 characters, 
   including pipes.)  The type of receipt (e.g. "Renew Items") and the 
   current date are both automatically printed and so should not be 
   included here.
Lines to feed after receipt (FeedLines):
   The number of blank lines to print at the end of each receipt, in 
   order to feed the receipt out of your printer.
Receipt Printing (ImmediatePrint):
   If checked, receipts print as you enter barcodes; if not checked,
   receipt information is sent to the Windows print spool but is not
   actually sent on to the printer until the entire receipt is done.
Log is on Drive (LogDrive):
   The computer drive to which the transaction log will be written.  
   It must be a lettered drive (C:\, D:\, etc.), not an absolute 
   network drive (\\network_computer\c\ is invalid), and cannot include
   any additional path information (C:\Program Files\ is invalid).
Edit Properties (DisplayProperties):
   This setting determines whether or not the Edit Settings window
   displays when the program is run.

INTERNAL SETTINGS (These are stored in the INI file, but are 
automatically modified through normal use of the program; there should
rarely, if ever, be a need to manually edit these settings.)

CheckinReceipt:
   Whether or not to print checkin receipts.  1 = print, 0 = do not 
   print.  This is changed by the checkbox in the main program window.
CheckoutReceipt:
   Whether or not to print checkout receipts.  1 = print, 0 = do not 
   print.  This is changed by the checkbox in the main program window.
RenewReceipt:
   Whether or not to print renewal receipts.  1 = print, 0 = do not 
   print.  This is changed by the checkbox in the main program window.
SelectedLibrary: 
   Which library was most recently selected from the list in the 
   Library Chooser window.  0 = first, 1 = second, etc.
SelectedProfile:
   Which User Profile was most recently selected from the list in the 
   Create User window.  0 = first, 1 = second, etc.
CheckoutDate:
   Which checkout period was most recently used. 1 = 1 week, 
   2 = 2 weeks, 3 = 3 weeks, 4 = 1 month, 5 = special date
RenewDate:
   Which reneal period was most recently used. 1 = 1 week, 2 = 2 weeks,
   3 = 3 weeks, 4 = 1 month, 5 = special date

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KNOWN ISSUES

* Will not work with sites that use Accountability (clearance levels)

* Does not look at the "delinq" file output by the Update User 
Delinquency Status report; thus, patrons are allowed to check items out
through this standalone program even if they are delinquent or blocked.
