Emergencies Computer Crash

There are several different types of computer-problem scenarios, with different appropriate responses:  When the Voyager circulation module isn’t working on one of the circulation/reserve computers, but the computer itself is still on, and the circ module is working on the other computers, close the “bad” circ module window, reopen it, and login again. Usually it has just timed-out, and this will fix it.  If the Voyager circulation module is not functioning at all the circ computers, try the following steps: Wait a few moments to see if they revive spontaneously. If not, turn them all off and back on, and see if logging in fresh helps.

At the check-out terminal, if Voyager displays the message asking if you want to use “Off-line Charge,” click “yes.” The computer will prompt you to enter a duedate. You should enter the duedate that is appropriate for the patron and the items you are about to checkout. For example, if the person is a grad student who wants to check out books, you would enter the 2-month duedate. Then scan the patron’s barcode and the item barcodes. Whenever the duedate should change, because the patron is a different type (for example, a faculty person instead of a student), or the item type is different (for example, you’ve been checking out books and now you want to check out a video), you will need to close the “charge” window and then reopen it to get the duedate prompt again. Enter the appropriate duedate for the next transaction, and then scan the barcodes of the patron and items. If logging in fresh does not restore Voyager functions, you will need to use “off-line charge” and emergency clipboards. “Off- line charge” is a backup function that simply creates a barcode data file to be uploaded at a later time. It cannot confirm patron validity or determine duedates like the regular Voyager module.

You can use off-line charge at checkout to record the patron and item barcodes of Wheaton College students, staff, and faculty who have their IDs. Be sure you enter the correct duedates BEFORE you scan the barcodes. If necessary, consult the borrowing policies chart and/or a calendar. Off-line charge should NOT be used for… Reserve items I-Share items, and non-Wheaton College patrons. Scan WHEATON ID. Enter correct duedate. Scan Buswell Library item barcodes.

Get the emergency clipboards from the cabinet near the Lost & Found box. There is one for Circulation (pink) and one for Reserve (yellow). Detailed directions for handling various situations are provided on the clipboards. Please READ the directions, and then use the log sheets on the clipboards to record checkouts until the computers are functioning again. If you are working at the Reserve desk, and Reserve items are returned, cross the item off the clipboard log you are maintaining. Save all other returned items in the return bins, especially those that were checked out before the computers went down, and do NOT try to check items IN if the computers are down. For checkouts involving Reserve items, I-Share items, and non-Wheaton College patrons…

 If the Commons computers are not functioning, provide patrons with the Dewey Decimal System brochures. If they need additional help, refer them to the Information Desk. When the computers and Voyager are functioning again, information from the hand-written log sheets needs to be manually entered into the computer. Process (upload) the “offline charges” when Voyager is functional, following the prompts on the screen. AFTER the offline charges are processed and the clipboard checkout data has been entered in the computer, THEN check any items in that have been returned.

Emergencies 4 – Computer Crash Questions Write “T” for “true” or “F” for “false” for each statement below. 1. If the Voyager Circulation module isn’t working, first try logging out and back in to try to fix it. 2. “Off-line charge” is a computer function that lets you record barcodes of Wheaton College patrons and Wheaton College items during a checkout emergency, but you must enter duedates manually. 3. You can use “off-line charge” for I-Share and ILL books. 4. Emergency clipboards are in the Circulation desk cabinet for checking out items at the Reserve desk, as well as for non-Wheaton patrons and items, or for people who don’t have their ID card. 5. When Voyager Circulation is not working, do not try to check items in. 6. When Voyager is functioning again, first check in returned items, then enter data from the clipboards, and then upload the offline charge barcode file. 7. If the public computers are not working, Dewey Decimal brochures can be given to people to help them find resources they need.