Requests Module Reminder

As requested in yesterday's directors meeting, here is a brief recap of how to manage requests placed by patrons through iBistro:

• All "contact us" and "I need materials" requests placed in iBistro by patrons appear in WorkFlows' Request Module.


• The Request Module can be found between Reports and Reserves in the green selection bar in Workflows. It's available in all circ and tech profile logins.


• To see the full list of requests and answer/resolve them, click on "modify request".


• You have several options in this next screen to bring up a list of requests. You can select the "service library" to only display your own library patrons, and you can set the "status" option to NEW, so you only see current unresolved questions. Then click "search"


• Clicking on the underlined entry in the Request ID column will highlight the request and bring up a shadow box with the summary of the request. If you want to deal with the request, close the review box and click "modify" at the bottom of the screen to bring up the full request.


• The next screen will have the detailed request displayed in three tabs, Basic (with patron ID and date/time of request); Request (containing the information submitted by the patron); and Modify (which is where you'll respond to the patron)


• If the request can be better serviced by another library, you can change the service library from the drop down list and click "modify". The request will then appear on the list for the library selected.


• Once you have responded to the patron, by writing in the Reply field, placing their hold, renewing their items or whatever their request was for (or a simple "thank you" in the case of a book or other media recommendation), always remember to change the status of the request to "REPLIED" by selecting from the drop down choices in the status window, and click MODIFY to send your request.

There's also an online tutorial for the request module on the consortium website, as part of the training resources page.