Alma Front Desk Training

Finding Patron Accounts

• From any screen in Alma, go to Fulfillment > Checkout/Checkin > Manage Patron Services

• Search for the patron's account by scanning their ID or entering their name. Select Go or press enter.
  • NOTE: If you are searching for a patron by name, start by typing their last name. Wait until their name appears in the drop-down menu and then select it. 

• This should bring you to the patron's account.

Checking Items Out

• Begin the checkout process by pulling up the patron's account in Alma. Refer to the Finding Patron Accounts section on this page for directions.
• When you have the patron's account pulled up, scan or manually enter the item barcode into the search box.

• Repeat this process if the patron has multiple items to check out. All the items checked out during your loan session will be displayed on your screen. Select Done when you've reached the last book.

Checking Items Out to Blocked Patrons

If you attempt to check out items to a patron that is blocked, a popup will appear when you enter their ID/name:

Depending on your permissions, you will have either two or three options:

• Click Cancel to exit the screen without further action.
• Click OK to view the patron's record.
• If you have the appropriate permissions, click Override to ignore the block and check out items to the patron.

Alternatively, while viewing the patron's record, you can override the block by attempting to check out an item as usual. A pop up similar to the first will appear:

• Click Override. 

Renewing an Item

• Begin the renewal process by pulling up the patron's account in Alma. Refer to the Finding Patron Accounts section on this page for directions.
• Once you've reached the patron's account, change the Filter selection from This Session to All.

• To renew selected items, click on the boxes to the left of the items you wish to renew. Then, click on the Renew Selected button.

• To renew all of the patron's items, either click on the Renew All button OR select all of the items and then click on the Renew Selected button.

• Once you're done renewing items, you may continue on to other tasks within the patron account or click Done to exit.

Checking Items In

You can return materials by viewing the patron's record OR by simply scanning in the barcode of the item.

To return items via the patron's record:

• Begin the return process by pulling up the patron's account in Alma. Refer to the Finding Patron Accounts section on this page for directions.
• From the patron's record, click on the Returns tab from the left-side navigation menu.

• From the Returns screen, scan the item barcode or enter it manually into the search bar and click OK.
  

• Once you're done checking in items, you may continue on to other tasks within the patron account or click Done to exit.

To return multiple items or without displaying the patron record:

• Navigate to Fulfillment > Checkout/Checkin > Return Items. 

• Scan in each barcode or enter them manually and then press OK. Information about each item will appear below including the patron's name that checked out each item. Select Done when you finish.

Claimed Returns & Lost Items

To indicate a lost item:  

• Begin the process by pulling up the patron's account in Alma. Refer to the Finding Patron Accounts section on this page for directions.
• Once you've reached the patron's account, change the Filter selection from This Session to All.

• Identify the lost item, then select Lost from the row actions list. The Lost item dialog box will open with the fine/fee information.

• Select OK.

To change a loan status to claim returned: 

• Begin the process by pulling up the patron's account in Alma. Refer to the Finding Patron Accounts section on this page for directions.
• Once you've reached the patron's account, change the Filter selection from This Session to All.

• Select Claim Return from the row actions list.