How do blocks work?
A block works by determining which block action, preventing fulfillment activity, is applied to the account.
What are Block Actions?
A block action determines which fulfillment activity or activities are blocked. This is defined for each user block type when the block is configured.
Out of the Box, Ex Libris three block actions (1-3), preventing loan, renew and hold illustrated in the table below. To meet the needs of the MnPALS consortia to also prevent resource sharing requests, three additional block actions (4-6) have been configured and added to the majority of your institutional block action tables. If you do not see block actions 4-6 and would like to request them, please let the PALS Staff know via a ticket.
Table showing the fulfillment action(s) prevented when using a block set to the specific block action number:
Block Action # | Loan | Renew | Hold | Resource Sharing
(ILL & FN) | Notes |
1 | x |
|
|
| Out of the Box |
2 | x | x |
|
| Out of the Box |
3 | x | x | x |
| Out of the Box |
4 |
|
|
| x |
|
5 | x |
| x | x |
|
6 | x | x | x | x | Default action for the ISRS Library Hold
at Minnesota State Institutions |
Scenario: A block placed on a patron's account which uses a block action of 3 illustrating that the the block prevents the patron from loaning, renewing or placing a hold on an item, however; they are still able to place resource sharing requests.
How can I assign a block on an account?
Locate the patron using the user search
Select the correct patron's hyperlink
- Select the Blocks tab
- Click on Add Block
- Select block type and description
- Optional: fill in expiry date and note if desired
- Click Add and Close
How can I disable or delete a patron's block?
- Locate the patron using the user search
- Select the correct patron's hyperlink
- Select the Blocks tab
- Locate the correct block
- To Disable
- Slide block to gray
- To Delete:
- Use the ellipsis to Delete the block
- Save
Can a block be overridden?
A block's configuration determines if it can be overridden and if so, by which circulation desk roles.
Why can't I see a block on a patron's account?
The user management page does not show automatic blocks occur in response to a set of circumstances, for example exceeding the allowed fine is an automatic block. These blocks show when viewing the patron's account using the the patron services page.