Item Maintenance - Discard OR Delete?

Modified on Wed, 27 Jul, 2022 at 10:41 AM

When removing items from the catalog, do you delete, or do use your library’s special discard user account? This document compares the differences between the two processes.


When removing items from the catalog, do you delete, or do use your library’s special discard user account?  This document compares the differences between the two processes.
**DISCARD**
If choosing to discard your items, staff logged in to the CIRC account can use the special user account for your library, i.e. SEODISCARD, as the User ID in the Checkout wizard.
Scan the items you want removed from your collection.  When an item is checked out to this user it is shadowed (not visible to the patron) and the current location will then be DISCARD. You may need to use an override if there are holds associated with the item.

All discarded items will be removed monthly (or daily) through scheduled reports in Symphony. Each library system has the option to have their DISCARDS removed daily or monthly.  Contact SEO if you want to change from monthly to daily.

Note: If you check out a lost item to the DISCARD user, the lost bill will be cancelled from the user account.

If you want a list of the items discarded and/or a count of how many items were discarded, read Article #144.


**DELETE**
If deleting items one-by-one, instead of discarding, we recommend you go to Delete Titles, Call Number or Item wizard on the TECH toolbar, under the TECH login. Searching by Item ID will display your specific highlighted item. Place a check mark in item box which will also check additional boxes, then click DELETE.  The item will be deleted immediately.

Click OK and then check this item out to your special DISCARD user in the Checkout wizard.

If there are bills on the item, you will receive this message:

Click YES and remove the item. NOTE: No bills will be removed.  The bills stay on any user’s record for overdue charges or damages associated with the item.

If this is the last copy on the bib record, you will receive this message:

Click YES. This will remove the item, call number and title completely and maintain data integrity in the catalog.
On the screen you will then see Unavailable for display, as the information is now gone from the catalog. The system does not keep a list or a count of what is manually removed from your collection.

Another message that may appear:


You cannot delete an item that is checked out or LOST. If you have questions, please email us at [email protected] 

Contact SEO at 1-877-552-4262 or submit a new ticket if you have any questions or comments.


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