Users
The Users app allows you to manage user information for patrons and library staff. Both patrons and library staff’s user records are stored in the Users app. There is no separate directory or app for library staff users. The difference between a library staff user and a patron is that the library staff user record has FOLIO permissions assigned to it.
Definition of terms related to the Users app:
- User. Any person who interacts with or performs tasks in FOLIO.
- User record. Contains contact information and identifiers for an individual user. User records exist for both patrons and library staff. For a list of all information contained within a user record, see Viewing a user record.
- Permission. Value assigned to a user, which grants them access to FOLIO records or allows them to carry out specific tasks in FOLIO.
- Permission set. A group of permissions that allows a user to perform a specific set of tasks. For example, you may want to group certain permissions together to create job-specific permissions sets. Permission sets are defined by your library in Settings > Users > Permission sets.
Permissions
The permissions listed below allow you to interact with the Users app and determine what you can and cannot do within the app. If none of these permissions are assigned to a user, they are unable to see the User app or any related information.
Note: For information on assigning permissions to users, see Assigning permissions to a user record.
The following are all the User permissions:
- User import: All permissions. This permission allows the user to import user records.
- User: Can override item blocks. This permission allows the user to override an item block in Check Out.
- User: Can override patron blocks. This permission allows the user to override a patron block for borrowing, requesting, or renewing an item in Check Out.
- Users: Can assign and unassign permissions to users. This permission allows the user to assign or unassign permissions to another user.
- Users: Can assign and unassign service points to users. This permission allows the user to view and edit service points assigned to users. The user can also view and edit basic user data elements.
- Users: Can create new user. This permission allows the user to create a new user record and add User information, Extended information, and Contact Information to the user record.
- Users: Can create, edit and remove fees/fines. This permission allows the user to create, edit, remove, and view user fees/fines.
- Users: Can create, edit and remove patron blocks. This permission allows the user to see the Patron blocks section on the user record, and view, edit, and create blocks.
- Users: Can create, edit and remove proxies. This permission allows the user to view and edit proxies assigned to a user. The user can also view and edit basic user data elements.
- Users: Can edit user profile. This permission allows the user to edit and view the following sections in a user record: User information, Extended information, and Contact information.
- Users: Can view permissions assigned to users. This permission allows the user to view the permissions assigned to another user.
- Users: Can view proxies assigned to users. This permission allows the user to see the Proxies section but not edit proxies assigned to a user. This permission also includes the ability to search and view user records (basic user fields only).
- Users: Can view service points assigned to users. This permission allows the user to see the Service points section but not edit service points assigned to a user. This permission also includes the ability to search and view user records (basic user fields only).
- Users: Can view user profile. This permission allows the user to search for user records and view the following sections in a user record: User information, Extended information, and Contact information.
- Users: Create and download Refunds to process manually report. This permission allows the user to create and download a report of refunds to process manually.
- Users: Create/reset password. This permission allows the user to see another user’s password and use the reset password functionality.
- Users: User loans anonymize. This permission allows the user to remove all user details from a loan.
- Users: User loans change due date. This permission allows the user to change the due date of a loan on another user’s record.
- Users: User loans claim returned. This permission allows the user to change the status of loaned items to Claim returned.
- Users: User loans declare lost. This permission allows the user to change the status of loaned items to Declared lost.
- Users: User loans mark claimed returned missing. This permission allows the user to change the status of loaned, claim returned items to Missing.
- Users: User loans renew. This permission allows the user to renew loans to the extent that is permitted by the loan policy.
- Users: User loans renew through override. This permission allows the user to override failed renewals.
- Users: User loans view. This permission allows the user to view the Loans section on a user record, view the loans page and loan details. However, the user cannot change due dates or renew loans.
- Users: User loans view, edit, renew (all). This permission allows the user to change a due date on a loan and renew loans.
- Users: View requests. This permission allows the user to view the Requests section on a user record. This permission also includes the ability to search and view user records (basic user fields only).
Creating a user record manually
- In the User Search Results pane, click Actions > New.
- In the Create User window, fill in the User information, Extended information, and Contact information sections. For more information on the fields and actions available in these sections, see the section descriptions below.
- Once you have included all the information you want about the user, click Save & Close. The user record is saved.
User information
- Last name (required). The surname of the user.
- First name. The given name of the user.
- Middle name. The middle name of the user.
- Preferred first name. The name by which the user prefers to be called.
- Patron group (required). Select a patron group to assign to the user. Patron groups are classes of library users configured by your library in the Settings app. See Settings > Users > Patron Groups for more information.
- Status (required). Select a status for the user: Active or Inactive. A user’s status is tied to the expiration date set on their user record. Active status indicates current affiliation, employment, or enrollment within the library’s institution. Inactive status indicates that the expiration date on the user’s record has passed and the user is no longer affiliated, employed, or enrolled.
- Expiration date. The amount of time set before the user record lapses and the user no longer has active permissions or the ability to borrow items. The expiration date determines when a user’s status changes from Active to Inactive. You are prompted to set the default expiration date when creating a user record. In the Set expiration date dialog, click Set to accept the default expiration date for the patron group. Otherwise, if you wish to customize the expiration date, click Cancel and enter the date in the Expiration date field, or click the calendar icon to select a date. You can also leave the field blank.
- Barcode. The barcode number for the user’s library card.
Extended information
- Date enrolled. The date a user is enrolled at the institution. This field is auto-populated if it is included in source data provided by an external system.
- External system ID. The external system ID for the user. This field is auto-populated if it is included in source data provided by an external system.
- Birth date. The date of birth of the user in YYYY-MM-DD format.
- Folio number. A system-generated number for the user record.
- Request preferences. Hold Shelf is selected by default for all users. If Delivery is also checked, select Fulfullment preference.
- If Delivery is selected as the Fulfillment preference, select the Default delivery address. This field appears and is required only if Delivery is selected as a request preference. Addresses are added to the user record in the Contact information section. See Users > Create a user record manually > Contact information for more information.
- If Hold Shelf is selected as the Fulfillment preference, select the Default pickup service point. All user records have at least one service point assigned to indicate the location for checking out or picking up requested items. Service points are configured by your library in the Settings app. See Settings > Tenant > Service points for more information.
- Department name. Name of the user’s department, if applicable. To associate the user with a department, click Add Department and select the department from the drop-down list. This action is repeatable, and departments can be deleted by clicking the trash can icon. Departments are configured by your library in the Settings app. See Settings > Users > Departments for more information.
- Username. The name library staff use to log into FOLIO. Note: Patrons don’t have a username because they don’t need to log into FOLIO.
Contact information
- Email (required). The email address of the user.
- Phone. The phone number of the user.
- Mobile phone. The mobile phone number of the user.
- Preferred contact (required). Select the user’s preferred method of contact: Email, Mail (Primary Address), or Text Message.
- Address. The address of the user. You can add multiple addresses. To add an address, click Add Address. Select Use as primary address if address is to be considered the user’s main address.
- Address Type. Select the appropriate address type for the user’s address. Address Types are configured by your library in the Settings app. See Settings > Users > Address Types for more information.
Searching for user records
You can search for user records in the User search pane. To search for users, enter your search terms into the box and click Search. The user search box searches through these fields: Keyword (name, email, identifier), Barcode, Last Name, or Username.
You can also search for user records by selecting any of the filters in the User search pane. Additionally, you can apply the filters after you perform a search to limit your results. See the sections below for more information on the filters.
Status
In the User search pane, expand the Status accordion, if needed, and select any applicable filters:
- Active. Users with the Status of Active.
- Inactive. User with the Status of Inactive.
Patron group
To filter users by their patron group, in the User search pane, expand the Patron Group accordion if needed and select one of the listed options. Possible patron groups may include examples like these:
- Adult. Patrons over the age of 18.
- Faculty. Patrons with faculty status at your institution.
- Staff. Patrons that are students at your institution.
Patron groups are configured in Settings > Users > Patron groups.
Tags
To search for user records assigned with specific tags, follow these steps:
- In the User search pane, expand the Tags accordion if needed.
- Select the tag(s) from the drop-down list. The search results appear in the User search results pane.
Viewing a user record
Once you search for a user record, the following information appears in the User search results pane:
- Active. The status of the user.
- Name. The name of the user.
- Barcode. The barcode number of the user.
- Patron group. The patron group to which the user belongs.
- Username. The username of the user.
- Email. The email address of the user.
In the user search results, click on an user record to view it. The User record pane displays with additional information about the user record. See the sections below for more information on the accordions that appear in the user record.
User information
For information about the fields displayed in the User information section, see Creating a user record > User information.
Patron blocks
Within the Patron blocks section, you can view all blocks on the user record and create manual blocks. For more information on manual blocks, see Creating a manual patron block.
Patron blocks appear in a table format with the most recent block listed first.
Extended information
For information about the fields displayed in the Extended information section, see Creating a user record > Extended information.
Contact information
For information about the fields displayed in the Contact information section, see Creating a user record > Contact information.
Proxy/sponsor
The Proxy/sponsor section displays any proxies or sponsors associated with the user record. For more information on adding a sponsor or proxy, see Adding a sponsor to a user record and Adding a proxy to a user record.
Fees/fines
The Fees/fines section displays the number of open and closed fees/fines. To view additional details about the open or closed fees/fines, click open fees/fines or closed fees/fines, respectively. To view all fees/fines, click View all fees/fines.
You can also create manual fees/fines in the Fees/fines section. For more information, see Creating a manual fee/fine.
Loans
The Loans section displays the number of open and closed loans.
A patron has an open loan when they have borrowed an item and the item hasn’t yet been returned. A loan is also considered open when the patron has returned the item but needs to pay a fee/fine, or when a patron says they have returned an item and the library marks it as “claim returned” while they search the shelves.
Once an item has been checked back in, and any associated fee/fines have been resolved, the loan is closed. Once a loan is closed, it can be anonymized according to the library’s anonymization settings.
To view additional details about the open or closed loans, click open loans or closed loans, respectively.
Requests
The Requests section displays the number of open and closed requests.
A request is open when a patron hasn’t yet received the item they requested. That can be the case when they are waiting in line for a patron to return the item, or when the item is being pulled from a shelf (Open - Not yet filled, Open - Awaiting delivery, or Open - In transit.) The request is also open if the item has been brought to the requested service point and the patron has been notified to come pick it up (Open - Awaiting pickup.)
A request is closed when the patron picks up the item (Closed - fulfilled). It’s also closed if the patron cancels their request prior to pickup (Closed - Cancelled), if the patron didn’t come get the book before their hold expired (Closed - Pickup expired), or if the library was unable to fill the request before the request itself expired (Closed - Unfilled).
To view additional details about the open or closed requests, click open requests or closed requests, respectively.
You can also create requests for the user in the Requests section. For more information, see Creating requests.
User permissions
The User permissions section displays all permissions assigned to the user record. For more information on assigning permissions, see Assigning permissions to a user record.
Service points
The Service points section displays all service points assigned to the user record, including the user’s Service point preference, if applicable.
Notes
The Notes section displays any notes about the patron. For more information on notes, see Adding a note to a user record.
Editing a user record
To edit the User information, Extended information, or Contact information section in a user record, follow these steps:
- Find the user record you want to edit and select it.
- In the User record pane, click Edit.
- In the Edit window, edit the appropriate information in the User information, Extended information, or Contact information sections.
- Click Save & Close. The user record is updated.
Editing an expiration date
To edit (or re-set) an Expiration Date in an existing user record, follow these steps:
- Find the User Record you want to edit and select it.
- Select the user record from the User search results list.
- Click on the Re-Set button near the Expiration Date field to re-set the date to the default expiration date for that patron group.
- Customize the expiration date by typing the new date in the Expiration Date field using YYYY-MM-DD format. Or click on the Calendar icon in the Expiration Date field to select a date.
- Delete the expiration date by clicking on the x in the Expiration Date field.
- Click Save & Close.
Changing a user’s status
A user’s status can be changed between Active or Inactive based on changes in their employment status or enrollment status.
- Find the user record you want to edit and select it.
- In the User record pane, click Edit.
- In the Edit window, in the User Information section, in the Status drop-down list, select Active or Inactive.
- Click Save & Close.
Sending a password reset email
This functionality is provided only after the user record has been saved for the first time. The library staff user created or changed is sent an email with a URL to the email address specified in the Contact information section. After accessing the URL, the user is taken to a form where the FOLIO password can be set or changed. Alternatively, the URL can be copied and manually sent to the user.
- Find the user record for which you want to send a password reset email and select it.
- In the User record pane, click Edit.
- In the Edit window, under Folio password, in the Extended information section, click Send reset password email. The reset password email is sent to the user.
- Optional: In the Reset password email sent dialog, click Copy link to copy the password reset link and manually send the link to the user.
- Click the X to close the dialog.
Adding a sponsor to a user record
Users can authorize other users to borrow library materials on their behalf. Sponsors are users who authorize another user to borrow on their behalf. For example, if you are adding a sponsor to the user record of User One, then User One is the proxy and can borrow on behalf of User Two (the sponsor).
- Find the user record to which you want to add a sponsor and select it.
- In the User record pane, click Edit.
- In the Edit window, under Proxy/sponsor, in the Sponsors section, click Add.
- In the Select User dialog, search for the sponsor user and select them. The sponsor is added to the user record.
- Optional: In the sponsor box, select the Relationship Status: Active or Inactive.
- Optional: Enter or select an Expiration date. The Expiration date indicates the expiration of the proxy/sponsor relationship.
- Optional: Select whether the Proxy can request for the sponsor. If you select Yes, then the proxy can place requests on materials on behalf of the sponsor.
- Optional: Select to whom notifications from the library are sent in the Notifications sent to drop-down list: Proxy or Sponsor.
- Click Add.
- Click Save & Close. The sponsor is added to the user record.
Add a proxy to a user record
Users can authorize other patrons to borrow library materials on their behalf. Proxies are users who are authorized to borrow on the behalf of another user. For example, if you are adding a proxy to the user record of User One, then User Two is the proxy and can borrow on the behalf of User One (the sponsor).
- Find the user record to which you want to add a proxy and select it.
- In the User record pane, click Edit.
- In the Edit window, under Proxy/sponsor, in the Proxies section, click Add.
- In the Select User dialog, search for the proxy user and select them. The proxy is added to the user record.
- Optional: In the proxy box, select the Relationship Status: Active or Inactive.
- Optional: Enter or select an Expiration date. The Expiration date indicates the expiration of the proxy/sponsor relationship.
- Optional: Select whether the Proxy can request for the sponsor. If you select Yes, then the proxy can place requests on materials on behalf of the sponsor.
- Optional: Select to whom notifications from the library are sent in the Notifications sent to drop-down list: Proxy or Sponsor.
- Click Add.
- Click Save & Close. The proxy is added to the user record.
Assigning permissions to a user record
Library staff need to have permissions assigned to their user record in order to interact with the FOLIO staff interface. Permissions do not need to be assigned to patrons for standard patron services like borrowing books, requesting items, etc. For a list of permissions and their definitions, see the respective app’s Permissions section in the documentation.
- Find the user record to which you want to add permissions and select it.
- In the User record pane, click Edit.
- In the Edit window, expand the User permissions accordion, if needed.
- Click Add permission.
- In the Select Permissions dialog, search for the permission(s) or permissions set you want to assign to the user.
- Optional: Filter by Permission type or Permission assignment status in the Search & Filter pane.
- Select the checkbox next to the permissions you want to assign to the user.
- Click Save & close. The permissions are added to the user record.
- Click Save & close. The user record is saved.
Adding a service point to a user record
A service point in FOLIO is a setting that libraries configure to support circulation functions. Every FOLIO item must have a location, and every location must have an attached service point. You must set up at least one service point to be able to check items in and out; allow patrons to request items; charge and collect fines; and put items in transit between locations at your library.
Staff who use the Check in, Check out, Users, or Requests apps must have a service point assigned to them in their user record. Service points are configured for your library in the Settings app. See Settings > Tenant > Service Points for more information.
- Find the user record to which you want to add a service point and select it.
- In the User record pane, click Edit.
- In the Edit window, expand the Service points accordion, if needed.
- Click Add service points.
- In the Add service points dialog, select the checkboxes next to the service point(s) you want to add to the user record.
- Click Save & close. The service point(s) are added to the user record.
- Select a Service point preference from the drop-down list. If you select None, then the user is prompted to select a service point every time they sign in to FOLIO.
- Click Save & Close. The service points are added to the user record.
Adding a tag to a user record
Note that tags must be enabled for your FOLIO instance in order to use tags in the Users app.
- Find the user record to which you want to add a tag and select it.
- In the User record pane, click the tag icon.
- If you want to use an existing tag, select it from the drop-down list. If you want to create a new tag, type the tag into the box and select Add tag for the new tag name in the drop-down. 4. Click the X on the Tags pane to close the pane and save the tag. The tag number updates to the number of tags applied to the user record.
Creating a manual patron block
Patron blocks allow libraries to manually prevent a patron from borrowing, renewing, and/or requesting materials until specified issues are resolved. Users with appropriate permissions can edit manual blocks on a patron’s record to update block information, actions, or remove the block.. The block is displayed prominently on the user record so that staff members are aware that a patron is blocked and why. If an expiration date is provided on the patron block, the block is automatically removed on that date.
A patron block can be added to a user record by either selecting a patron block template or by creating a patron block.
To create a patron block using a patron block template, follow these steps:
- Find the user record of the patron you want to block and select it.
- In the User record pane, expand the Patron blocks accordion, if needed.
- Select a patron block template from the Template name menu. Template values are applied to the block.
- Add any additional information to the block and select an expiration date if needed.
- Click Save & close. The block is saved and added to the user record.
To create a patron block and add to a user record, follow these steps:
- Find the user record of the patron you want to block and select it.
- In the User record pane, expand the Patron blocks accordion.
- Click Create block.
- In the New Block window, expand the Block information accordion if needed.. Enter a Display Description. This is the description that displays on the user record and in dialogs that appear when staff try to check out, renew, or request items on behalf of the patron, depending on their block.
- Optional: Enter Staff only information.
- Optional: Enter a Message to Patron.
- Optional: Enter an Expiration date on which the block expires.
- By default, all Block actions are selected. These are the actions that the user is barred from doing because of the block. To allow some of the actions, clear the checkbox next to Borrowing, Renewals, or Requests.
- Click Save & close. The block is saved and added to the user record.
Editing a patron block
- Find the user record of the patron with the block you want to edit and select it.
- In the User record pane, expand the Patron blocks accordion.
- In the block table, select the block you want to edit.
- In the user block window, make your changes.
- Click Save & Close. The patron block is updated.
Removing a patron block
Patron blocks with expiration dates are automatically removed on that date.
To remove a patron block with no assigned expiration date, follow these steps:
- Find the user record of the patron with the block you want to edit and select it.
- In the User record pane, click Patron blocks.
- In the block table, select the block you want to edit.
- In the user block window, click Delete.
- In the Delete patron block dialog, click Delete. The patron block is removed.
Creating a manual fee/fine
Note that your library must configure fee/fine settings prior to charging fee/fines to patrons. See Settings > Users > Owners and Settings > Users> Manual Charges for more information.
- Find the user record to which you want to add a fee/fine and select it.
- In the User record pane, expand the Fees/fines accordion, if needed.
- Click Create fee/fine.
- In the New fee/fine window, select the Fee/fine owner.
- Select the Fee/fine type.
- In the Fee/fine amount box, you can do one of three things: Keep the default fee/fine amount, if one is populated for the fee/fine type. Adjust the default fee/fine amount, if it is populated for the fee/fine type. Provide a fee/fine amount, if one did not populate.
- Optional: To associate the fee/fine with an item, scan or enter the item barcode into the Item information box and click Enter.
- Optional: Enter any Additional information for staff in the box.
- Click Charge only to apply the charge to the patron record. FOLIO users with appropriate permissions may be able to create the fine and immediately accept payment by clicking Charge & pay now.
- Click either Charge & pay now to charge the patron and process the payment or Charge Only to only apply the charge to the user record.
Creating requests
The procedure below details how to create requests from the user record in the Users app, but requests can also be created in the Requests app or from the item record in the Inventory app.
- Find the user record to which you want to add a request and select it.
- In the User record pane, expand the Requests accordion, if needed.
- Click Create request.
- In the New request window, in the Item information box, either scan or type the barcode of the requested item and click Enter. The item is added to the request and its item information appears.
- Select a Request type. The options that appear depend on the Item status of the item you are requesting.
- Optional: Enter a Request expiration date. If the request is still open by the selected date, it closes and its status changes to Closed - Unfilled.
- Select the Fulfillment preference.
- Select the Pickup service point or Delivery address, depending on your selection for Fulfillment preference in the previous step.
- Click Save & close. The request is saved and the Request Detail pane appears. The patron receives an email notification saying their request was received by the library, if you have this notification configured.
Adding a note to a user record
- Find the user record to which you want to add a note and select it.
- In the User record pane, expand the Notes accordion, if needed.
- Click New.
- In the New note window, select the Note type from the drop-down list. Note types are created in the Settings app. For more information, see Settings > Notes.
- Enter a Note title in the box.
- Optional: Enter any Details about the note in the box.
- Click Save & close. The note is saved.
Overdue loans report
The Overdue loans report is a comma-separated values (CSV) file that displays all users with overdue materials.
- In the User search results pane, click Actions > Overdue loans report (CSV). Depending on your browser and its configurations, the file automatically downloads or you are prompted to save it.
Claimed returned report
The Claimed returned report is a comma-separated values (CSV) file that displays all users with claimed returned materials.
- In the User search results pane, click Actions > Claimed returned report (CSV). Depending on your browser and its configurations, the file automatically downloads or you are prompted to save it.
Managing loans for patrons
From the loans section on a patron’s record, a FOLIO user with appropriate permissions can renew a loan for a patron; change the due date; mark the item claim returned; or declare the item lost.
Renew a loan
To renew one or more loans for a patron:
- Use the check boxes on the left to select the appropriate loan(s).
- From the buttons at the top of the list, click Renew.
If the renewal was successful, you see a green success message in the bottom right corner appear.
If the renewal was not successful, a pop-up message appears. If you have the correct permissions, you can click Override from the pop-up window to override the error and renew the loan.
Change a due date
To change due dates on one or more loans for a patron:
- Use the check boxes on the left to select the appropriate loan(s).
- From the buttons at the top of the list, click Change due date.
- In the pop-up window that appears, enter a new due date or select one from the calendar drop-down.
- Click Save and close.
Note that if you have permissions to change a loan’s due date, you can change the due date/time to one in the past; FOLIO displays a warning message but allows the change to go through.
Mark an item claim returned
Occasionally, patrons may tell libraries that they have returned items that are still listed as checked out to them. The library has the option to mark the item as “claim returned.” This places any associated fines in a suspended state while libraries can carry out workflows to search for the item on their shelves.
To mark an item claim returned:
- Use the check boxes on the left to select the appropriate loan(s).
- From the buttons at the top of the list, click Claim returned.
- In the pop-up window that appears, enter additional information about the patron’s claim (required).
- Click Confirm.
The loan will remain in the patron’s list of open loans, but the item status will show that the item is claimed returned.
If the library can’t locate the claimed returned item, it needs to decide whether to bill the patron for the item or mark the item missing without charging fines. In FOLIO, this action is referred to as resolving a claim.
To resolve a claim on an item:
- Click the appropriate loan to open the Loan details window.
- Click the button marked Resolve claim on the top row.
- If you are going to bill the patron for the item, choose Declare lost. If you are not billing the patron for the item, choose Mark as missing.
- In the pop-up window that appears, FOLIO shows a message to confirm the action you wish to take. Enter any additional information about the patron’s claim (required).
- Click Confirm.
If you choose to declare the item lost, FOLIO checks the associated lost item fee policy for the loan and charge fees/fines as configured in that policy.
Mark an item declared lost
FOLIO has two options to show that an item has been borrowed and not returned - “aged to lost” and “declared lost.” Aged to lost is an automated status that FOLIO gives to an item when the item is not returned by the date specified in the lost item policy. Declared lost is a manual status that library staff can use when a patron tells the library that they cannot return the item because they can no longer find it or because it had been inadvertently damaged.
Library staff can only mark one loan declared lost at a time.
To mark a loan declared lost:
- Click the appropriate loan to open the Loan details window.
- Click Declare lost at the top of the window.
- In the pop-up window that appears, enter additional information about the circumstances of the loan (required)
- Click Confirm.
When an item is declared lost, FOLIO checks the associated lost item fee policy for the loan and charge fees/fines as configured in that policy.