You can create rules to override the default settings. For example, if a borrower is a teacher, they can check out a maximum of 10 DVDs for 30 days.

Library loan rule sample: Teachers are allowed to check out maximum 10 books for 60 days.

To set a specific due date for checked-out items, select "Date" in the "Default Due Date Mode". Enter your desired fixed due date in the "Default Due Date" box.

You can override the fixed due date by creating a new loan rule.

Use the fixed due date setting in the following situations: when items should be returned at the end of the semester, the end of the school year, the end of a course, or the end of a project.

Question:
Where/how do I set up that my Reference books cannot be checked out? Is there a way for me to do that for all Reference category books at once?

Answer:
Define loan rule in Options/Loan Options. TYPE=REFERENCE, Quantity Limit=0

Question:
The library system would be for use at a college. The due date is the last day of the semester. Regardless of when a media item is checked out, it will be due on that date. When the next semester begins, we would change the due date to accommodate the next semester.

As an example, all of our students who have media items out now must bring them in before December 15, 2017. The date of check-out does not influence the return due date. At the end of this semester, we would change the due date to May 16, 2018. Then after the spring semester, we would change the return due date to reflect the end of the summer semester.

We are interested in your program but this is a problem. It would be impractical to change the due date for every student every time they check out media items through our office.

Answer:
Set a new default due date to be the last day of the semester.

Question:
Our office has been evaluating your Handy Library System. However, we were unable to find a way to set a hard due date for books and other items checked out. Could you tell me if there is a way to set up a hard due date? If so, how would that be done?

Answer:
You can use the "default due date" as a binding or final due date.

Question:
1. checking out books receive error message "This item cannot be checked out (can only be used in the library)".
2. Return date is showing same as check out date. In the set up 14 days is set.

Answer:
Check-in and check-out error and warning messages are triggered by rules. Review the rules in the Options and delete any that you do not need.

Question:
I am using your software at our small catholic school library. Is there a way to allow more books for teachers to borrow at once than students? I think the default is at two now, thanks.

Answer:
Input the borrower type into the TYPE data field and establish loan limits for teachers and students.

Question:
For our office, we needed a hard due date for the return of items. You sent a link and that was how our IT people were able to download it. Does the new version have the ability to set a specific due date for returns?

Answer:
In the checkout transaction window, you can manually enter the return date. Additionally, you can set a Default Return Date (fixed due date). However, first review the Default Due Date Mode settings in this help topic.

Question:
How can I edit the number of items a specific patron can check out at one time? For instance, I don't want my students to check out more than 3 items at a time, but I do want my teacher to be able to check out many things at one time.

Answer:

Input the borrower type into the TYPE field of the BORROWERS table. For example, use Student or Teacher. Then, establish the rules for "max items loaned" for each borrower type.

Question:
This year I must enter all of my students as patrons to check out technology catalogued through my Handy Library System.
Is there an easy way to add each student as a patron and have them check out their technology for a year with the due date being in May 2027? When I have checked the items out to the teachers I cannot get the due date to be more than a few months. So when I check them back they are all considered overdue.

Answer:
The reason your items keep showing up as "overdue" is that the system is relying on its default rolling loan period (e.g., 14 or 28 days). You need to override this with a Fixed Due Date Rule specifically for end-of-year school returns.
1. Go to the top menu and select Options, then click Loan Options (or Library Loan Rules).
2. Find the Default Due Date Mode dropdown menu and change it from Period (days) to Date.
3. In the Default Due Date calendar/box, manually select or type your precise end-of-year date in May 2027.
Pro-Tip for Managing Teachers vs. Students: If you still want teachers to check out normal library books for shorter periods without changing the global settings, you can create a specific Loan Rule in this same window. For example, you can set a rule that states: If Borrower TYPE = Teacher, Loan Period = 60 days, while leaving your main default fixed date set to May 2027 for the students tracking technology.