Keep every library loan and renewal in view.
Build a library circulation app around your collection, borrowers and lending rules. See what is on loan, what is overdue and which renewal needs a decision.
How to build your library loans and renewals
Describe the job
Build a library circulation app around your collection, borrowers and lending rules. See what is on loan, what is overdue and which renewal needs a decision.
Review the first version
Build a library circulation app around your collection, borrowers and lending rules. See what is on loan, what is overdue and which renewal needs a decision.
Refine the views
Ask First to adjust the fields and views for the people who will use the app.
Test before sharing
Walk through the process with a sample record and check who owns the next action.
A renewal request meets a waiting reader.
Follow one example through the people and decisions involved.
A renewal request meets a waiting reader
- Copy
- LIB-204
- Due date
- Friday
Current stage · Circulation assistant
Find the current loan
A member asks to renew copy LIB-204, due on Friday. The circulation assistant opens the loan and checks the hold queue.
Read the full walkthrough
Find the current loan
A member asks to renew copy LIB-204, due on Friday. The circulation assistant opens the loan and checks the hold queue.
- Copy:
- LIB-204
- Due date:
- Friday
Review the waiting hold
Another member has reserved the same title. The librarian keeps the original due date and records why the renewal was declined.
- Hold queue:
- One waiting reader
- Renewal:
- Declined
Prepare the next loan
When the copy is returned, staff mark it available for the next reader and keep the previous loan in its history.
- Return:
- Recorded
- Next step:
- Prepare held copy
What to include in your library loans and renewals
Know which copy is available
Keep a separate accession number and loan history for each copy, even when several books share a title.
Handle renewals and holds
Show an existing hold before a librarian extends a due date. Keep the decision and new date with the loan.
Follow up on overdue loans
Give circulation staff a list of overdue items, the responsible member and the next follow-up date.
Set your lending rules
Change loan length by member type or resource type. Keep renewal limits and hold priority visible to staff.
Organize your collection
Add shelf location, author, edition and condition so a copy can be found and checked before issue.
Questions before you build
Describe your current process, who uses it and the fields you need. For this app, start with accession number, book copy, member, checkout date, due date, hold queue, renewal. You can edit the example prompt before continuing.