What FINDER is

FINDER is actually the same software as TLC's CATALOG plus a few programs adapted from the BORROW module. With the addition of a few extra fields, FINDER can report by borrower, title, and date checked out for any item in the catalog that is currently circulating.

What FINDER isn't

FINDER is not a full circulation system. It will not track transactions for items that have been returned to the library. It reports the current location of any item presently charged out, but it won't report the circulation history of your holdings.

Who should use FINDER

The FINDER version of TLC's CATALOG is designed specifically for small libraries that need to know the current whereabouts of each item, yet do not need to maintain circulation statistics for year end reporting. FINDER is intended primarily for those who would like to locate circulating items quickly without buying a second module.

Future considerations

If you need to know where everything is, even if it has been removed from the library, and do not wish to add BORROW, this variation of CATALOG will get the job done with minimum expense and effort. If you decide at a later date that you'd like a more complete history of your circulation transactions, you can easily upgrade to the traditional method of checking out materials via CATALOG and BORROW.

SCHEDULE

Signing up in advance

Items scheduled for use at a future date are recorded in SCHEDULE (Windows/Macintosh only). SCHEDULE is an automated sign up sheet for those who want to schedule any item (e.g. videos), equipment (e.g. projectors, laptop computers) or space (e.g. conference rooms) for which there is a record in CATALOG. It does not perform the same function as TLC's circulation module BORROW and, except for an alert notification in BORROW, is not otherwise connected with the circulation system.

Preparing the record

Records are created by entering the patron's unique identifying number as it exists in USERS, and the bar code or classification number of the item listed in CATALOG. Each record in SCHEDULE covers an hour of time. An entire day or a whole week can be scheduled with one mouse click.

Avoiding conflicts

A record must always be created in BORROW for scheduled items when they are removed from the library. An alert notification tells you when you are creating a record in BORROW if this item has been scheduled. If a record appears anywhere in SCHEDULE, an alert notification will also appear on the related record in CATALOG. This helps users avoid scheduling conflicts. There are also programs inside SCHEDULE to identify conflicts.

VIEWING DOCUMENTS AND PICTURES IN TLC

Relational file DOC + PIX is the place in TLC where you can enter records containing the full text of a document and/or graphic. Any document or image scanned from hardcopy to electronic format or existing in a word processor can be brought into DOC + PIX where it can be instantly displayed in TLC. Users searching short records about documents in MEMO or CATALOG can click to bring information in the related DOC + PIX record to the screen.