Emergencies
Computer Crash
There are several different types of computer-problem scenarios, with
different appropriate responses:
When the Voyager circulation module isn’t working on one of the
circulation/reserve computers, but the computer itself is still on,
and the circ module is working on the other computers, close the
“bad” circ module window, reopen it, and login again. Usually it has
just timed-out, and this will fix it.
If the Voyager circulation module is not functioning at all the circ
computers, try the following steps:
• Wait a few moments to see if they revive spontaneously.
• If not, turn them all off and back on, and see if logging in fresh helps.
If logging in fresh does not restore Voyager functions, you will
need to use “off-line charge” and emergency clipboards. “Off-
line charge” is a backup function that simply creates a barcode
data file to be uploaded at a later time. It cannot confirm
patron validity or determine duedates like the regular Voyager
module.
• At the check-out terminal, if Voyager displays the message asking if you want
to use “Off-line Charge,” click “yes.”
• The computer will prompt you to enter a duedate. You should enter the
duedate that is appropriate for the patron and the items you are about to
checkout. For example, if the person is a grad student who wants to check out
books, you would enter the 2-month duedate. Then scan the patron’s
barcode and the item barcodes.
• Whenever the duedate should change, because the patron is a different type
(for example, a faculty person instead of a student), or the item type is
different (for example, you’ve been checking out books and now you want to
check out a video), you will need to close the “charge” window and then
reopen it to get the duedate prompt again. Enter the appropriate duedate for
the next transaction, and then scan the barcodes of the patron and items.
You can use off-line charge at checkout
to record the patron and item
barcodes of Wheaton College Enter
students, staff, and faculty who correct
have their IDs. duedate.
Be sure you enter the correct duedates
BEFORE you scan the barcodes.
If necessary, consult the borrowing Scan
policies chart and/or a calendar. WHEATON
ID.
Off-line charge should NOT be used
for…
Reserve items
I-Share items, and
non-Wheaton College patrons.
Scan Buswell
Library item
barcodes.
For checkouts involving Reserve items, I-Share
items, and non-Wheaton College patrons…
• Get the emergency clipboards from the cabinet near the
Lost & Found box. There is one for Circulation (pink) and
one for Reserve (yellow).
• Detailed directions for handling various situations are
provided on the clipboards. Please READ the directions, and
then use the log sheets on the clipboards to record
checkouts until the computers are functioning again.
• If you are working at the Reserve desk, and Reserve items
are returned, cross the item off the clipboard log you are
maintaining.
• Save all other returned items in the return bins, especially
those that were checked out before the computers went
down, and do NOT try to check items IN if the computers
are down.
• When the computers and Voyager are functioning again,
information from the hand-written log sheets needs to be
manually entered into the computer.
• Process (upload) the “offline charges” when Voyager is
functional, following the prompts on the screen.
• AFTER the offline charges are processed and the clipboard
checkout data has been entered in the computer, THEN
check any items in that have been returned.
If the Commons computers are not functioning, provide
patrons with the Dewey Decimal System brochures. If they
need additional help, refer them to the Information Desk.
Emergencies 4 – Computer Crash Questions
Write “T” for “true” or “F” for “false” for each statement below.
1. If the Voyager Circulation module isn’t working, first try logging out and back
in to try to fix it.
2. “Off-line charge” is a computer function that lets you record barcodes of
Wheaton College patrons and Wheaton College items during a checkout
emergency, but you must enter duedates manually.
3. You can use “off-line charge” for I-Share and ILL books.
4. Emergency clipboards are in the Circulation desk cabinet for checking out
items at the Reserve desk, as well as for non-Wheaton patrons and items,
or for people who don’t have their ID card.
5. When Voyager Circulation is not working, do not try to check items in.
6. When Voyager is functioning again, first check in returned items, then enter
data from the clipboards, and then upload the offline charge barcode file.
7. If the public computers are not working, Dewey Decimal brochures can be
given to people to help them find resources they need.