Bulk Action
Bulk Action for requests can be accessed in two different ways. You can Action or Complete more than a hundred items at once. Remember that the more items you Bulk Action, the longer it will take to process.
One way to use Bulk Action is to first select the Requests button, and then select the Bulk Action option at the top of the screen. You would use this method when you will be scanning or manually entering barcodes into the ILL Numbers box. If you're scanning numbers it will likely enter a new number on a new line. If you're typing numbers in, you can just separate each number with a space. When you have populated the box with the request numbers you would like to Action, choose the appropriate Action from the drop-down menu and click Submit.
The other method for using Bulk Action is to bring up a Work Queue file, such as Borrower Not Supplied. On the far right hand side of the screen check the boxes of the items you want to Action, or use the Select all option at the top of the page. Click Submit when you have all the items you want to Bulk Action. The request numbers you have checked will populate the ILL Numbers box. Choose the appropriate Action or Complete.
After Submitting the Action, an appropriate second screen will follow. You will sometimes see the option to select Service Type. DO NOT select a Service Type from the drop down menu. If you're going to change the Service Type from Loan to Copy non returnable or vice versa, you should probably do it one at a time.
When the processing of the requests is finished, your request numbers will be listed as Successful. Occasionally some of the requests will not process correctly and they will be listed as Failed. Requests will come back as Failed if the Action was not valid for that specific request or if there was some other problem with the request.
Make sure to assign the Due Date if you are marking the item Shipped.
If you are using the Action ANSWER NONSUPPLY don't forget to select a reason. In the past I have had some people ask me about the reason and I suggested that it wasn't that important. I have come to realize that it is very important to add a reason if possible. Many libraries forward this information to their users.
When using Bulk Action for Returns (or any time you process Returns), it is very important to make sure that the paperwork matches the item you are Returning. Also make sure all parts are included.