ALE Application: Setting Up and Using the Library

The ALE Library is accessed via a separate “Librarian” role that must be added to users who need to access the system.  

Library Setup

The first step in adding library items is to create “Media Types,” “Subjects,” and “Locations.” From the left hand navigation menu, choose “Manage,” and then “Media Types.” Next, click on “Add Record.”

Enter the name of the Media Type here:

The same steps can be taken to create “Subjects” records. Once these records are created, they can be edited or deleted via the row action gears:

Follow the same steps for adding “Locations:”

Adding Titles and Copies

Once Media Types, Subjects, and Locations records have been created, then “Titles” can be added in the same manner:

The following fields are required for this title record to be created: Title, Identifier (ex: ISBN), Media Type, and Subject

Additional optional fields include Author, Publisher, Keywords, Description, Components, Date Published and Replacement Cost.

Titles can be edited or deleted via the associated row action gear:

In the “Edit Record” modal, individual copies of this title can be added using the “Add Record” button at the bottom:

This is where separate copies of the same title would be recorded and distinguished (note: the “Barcode” is what will be entered/scanned when checking out):

These individual copies of the same title can be edited or deleted via the associated row action gear:

Once titles have been added, you can search through the library collection using the “Search” button from the left hand navigation menu. This will display a table with all library titles that can be filtered for easy searching:

Checking Out and Returning Items

To check out books to individual students, choose “Check Out” from the left hand navigation menu and then select the student. Once the barcode(s) for the book(s) are entered or scanned, select “Check Out/Renew:”

Optionally, a due date can be added for items checked out.

To see all checked out copies, select “Checked Out Copies” from the left hand navigation menu. These titles can be individually checked in via the associated row action gear:

To check in multiple items at once, use the “Check In” option from the left hand navigation menu. This is where you would input or scan barcode(s):

Viewing Items Checked Out to a Student

Parents can view which items are checked out to their students by clicking on their student’s spotlight from the summary page and navigating to the “Library” tab:

Items checked out to a student can also be viewed by school staff on the Manage Student interface.  Navigate there via “All ALE Students” in the left nav, then view the “Library Items” tab which is either located at the far right or nested under the details tab, depending on your role.