Blocking Patrons
To override patron blocks, you must be assigned the following permissions:
- If your library set the Check-out: Authorization required to override manual block circulation option to "YES," you must be assigned permission 168 (Override manual blocks) to override blocks from the MBLOCK fixed-length field in the patron record.
- If your library set the Check-out: Authorization required to override patron block circulation option to "YES," you must be assigned permission 98 (Override patron blocks) to override all other types of patron blocks.
If you want to be alerted to expiration date problems and manual blocks, rather than to require override permissions for these two conditions, you can enable the system's quick-alert functionality.
Sierra prevents blocked patrons from performing circulation transactions. The system checks for blocks on a patron record when you attempt to do any of the following:
- using materials booking and adding an event
- check out an item
- renew an item
- place a hold
- place an ILL request
- place an INN-Reach request
The system checks for blocks from the Patron Blocks table and for manual blocks. If you encounter one of these types of blocks, you must resolve or override the block to proceed with the transaction. If you override a block, the system adds a message to the circulation overrides file.
Patron Blocks Table
The Patron Blocks table describes the condition under which a patron should be blocked from circulating items. If a patron meets a threshold in the Patron Blocks table for his or her patron type, the system automatically blocks the patron and displays one of the following messages:
| Message | Action |
|---|---|
| BLOCKED UNTIL <date> | The BLK UNTIL field in the patron record is later than the current date. For more information, see Assessing Overdue Penalty Points and Highest # Overdue Points. Override the block to proceed with the transaction. |
| Borrower's registration has expired | Today's date matches or is after the date in the patron record's EXP DATE field, and the Patron Exp. Date element in the Patron Blocks table is set to "YES". To proceed with the transaction, update the EXP DATE field or override the block. |
| Borrower has exceeded highest level overdue | The value in the patron's HLODUES field exceeds the number allowed by the Highest Level Odues element in the Patron Blocks table. To proceed with the transaction, check in the overdue item(s) from the patron or override the block. |
| Borrower owes too much money | The fine amount in the patron record's MONEY OWED field exceeds the limit specified by the Max Owed element in the Patron Blocks table. To proceed with the transaction, collect money from the patron or override the block. |
Depending on the type of transaction you are performing, other elements from the Patron Blocks table can cause a block. For more information, see Possible Blocks when Checking Out an Item and Patron Blocks table.
Manual Blocks
If the patron record contains a manual block, the system blocks the patron and displays the message associated with the patron record's MBLOCK value. For example:
| Message | Action |
|---|---|
| BAD ADDRESS | The patron record's MBLOCK field contains a value that corresponds to the label BAD ADDRESS. Override the block or update the patron's MBLOCK field to proceed with the transaction. |
