How to enable and perform batch checkouts

The standard checkout function on Koha allows items to be checked out to patrons one at a time, however, it is possible to allow multiple items to be checked out in the same action. This document will explain how to enable and use this option on the staff side of Koha.

Step 1 - Related system preferences

To enable this functionality, go to KOHA administration > Global system preferences and search for Batch Checkouts.

This will take you to a new page with the system preferences BatchCheckouts and BatchCheckoutsValidCategories. 

Step 2 - Set BatchCheckouts

Set BatchCheckouts to Allow batch checkouts and hit Save all Circulation preferences. This will enable the batch checkouts function, but in order for this option to appear on specific patron accounts the BatchCheckoutsValidCategories system preference needs to be filled out with the specific patron categories the function should be available for. 

Step 3 - Set BatchCheckoutsValidCategories

The patron categories batch checkouts should be available for must be selected from a dropdown menu on this system preference.

Tick the box beside the patron categories that should allow batch check outs.

Once the patron categories have been selected, click Save all Circulation preferences.

For more information on patron categories, please view our Help Centre. 

After these system preferences are set and saved the batch checkout option will appear on the accounts of patrons that are in the identified categories.

How to complete a batch checkout

Go to the patron account and view the in the column of blue tabs on the left hand side of the patron account. Click into Batch Checkout.

This will open a new page where you can either upload a file of barcodes or scan them into the free text box.

When using the free text box the barcodes must be scanned one at a time, one to a line, with no spaced between the lines.

Once the barcodes have been added to the tool, hit Check out and all the items will be checked out to the patron. A table with details of the checked out items will appear on the next page.

Hard Due date

It is also possible to set a hard due date to be applied to all items being checked out. This due date will over-ride the due dates set by the fine and circulation rules table. 

To set a hard due date, follow the same process as above for scanning the barcodes into the tool and identify the hard due date function at the bottom of the tool.

Click into the box and use the calendar widget to set a single, hard due date for all items being checked out.

Click the Check out button at the bottom of the tool.

This will bring up a new page with a table confirming the items have been checked out and the due date that has been applied.

Version	Date	Detail	Author
1.0	26/02/20	Creating document	Holly Cooper
2.0	14/05/20	Move to Zoho	Holly Cooper
2.1	08/03/21	Clarifying language, adding TOC	Holly Cooper
2.2	24/03/21	Adding screenshots for hard due dates	Holly Cooper
2.3	14/04/22	Updating for 21.05 release	Holly Cooper

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