Reports Manager Overview

Welcome to BiblioTECH's Reports Manager – your gateway to a wealth of information about your library's operations. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the power of the Reports Manager, providing you with the knowledge to harness its potential fully. Whether you're tracking circulation, managing reservations, understanding patron behaviour, analysing resources, or delving into statistics, the Reports Manager is your indispensable tool.

Getting Started

To access the Reports Manager, follow these simple steps:

Log in and navigate to the Dashboard. Click on the Reports button to access the Reports Manager area.
Select a Tab: The Reports Manager is neatly organised into five tabs, each corresponding to a distinct category of reports:

Circulation
Reservations
Patrons
Resources
Statistics

At the top of the screen you can see 3 different graphic reports, the one on the left hand side is Circulation by GMD and displays the top 4 popular GMDs. The one in the middle shows the patrons with loans and the patrons without loans. And the one on the right hand side shows the resources status, on loan, Overdue, in, and lost.

Now, let's dive into the details of each tab and explore how to generate insightful reports that can optimise your library's management.

Circulation Reports: Tracking Material Flow

Circulation reports are your window into understanding how materials move through your library. Here's how you can generate these reports:

Customise Filters: Within the Circulation tab, you'll find an array of filter fields at your disposal. These include Patron, Search, Fields, Date Range, Groups, Levels, Library, Material Type (GMD), and a convenient tick box for 'Get Overdues only.'
Filtering Options: Utilise these filters to pinpoint the specific data you need. For example, you can search by Patron, enter keywords in the Search field, select Fields to include in your report, set a Date Range, choose Groups, Levels, Library, Material Type (GMD), and even narrow down your focus to 'Get Overdues only' if required.
Generate Your Report: After configuring your filters, simply click the 'Search' button. Your tailored report will appear on the screen, ready for further examination.

Reservations Reports: Efficient Patron Request Management

Reservations reports are invaluable for managing patron requests efficiently. Here's how to generate them:

Navigate to Reservations: Click on the "Reservations" tab.
Customise Filters: Like the Circulation reports, Reservations reports offer a range of filter fields, including Patron, Title, Date Range, Material Type (GMD), and 'Get Held only.'
Filter with Precision: Use these filters to specify your report's parameters. For example, you can filter by Patron, enter resource titles or keywords in the Title field, set a Date Range, select Material Type (GMD), and opt to focus solely on 'Held' resources using the 'Get Held only' checkbox.
Generate Your Report: Click 'Search' to generate your customised Reservation report. This will help ensure your library resources are readily available to patrons when needed.

Patron Reports: Understanding Patron Behaviour

Patron reports offer insights into patron behaviour, allowing you to better serve your library's users. Here's how to create these reports:

Access the Patrons Tab: Navigate to the "Patrons" tab.
Customise Filters: Just as in previous reports, Patron reports provide filter fields. These include Patron, Search, Fields, Date Range, Groups, Levels, and the option for 'Patron Loans – Summary (sorted by Count).'
Tailor Your Report: Customise your report by scanning a patron's barcode or finding them by name in the Patron field. Use the Search field to filter by keywords, select specific Fields for inclusion, set a Date Range, choose Groups, Levels, and, if desired, opt for a summary report using 'Patron Loans – Summary (sorted by Count).'
Generate Your Report: Click 'Search' to generate your Patron report. These reports offer valuable insights into your patrons' borrowing behaviour.

Resource Reports: Tracking Library Materials

Resource reports are essential for tracking library materials efficiently. Here's how to create them:

Navigate to Resources: Click on the "Resources" tab.
Customize Filters: Resource reports provide filter fields, including Title, Material Type (GMD), Collection, Library, Date Range, and 'Resource Loans - Summary (sorted by Count).'
Filter Resources: Use these filters to refine your Resource report. Filter by Title, select Material Type (GMD), choose Collections, Libraries, set a Date Range, and decide whether to obtain a summary of resource loans with 'Resource Loans - Summary (sorted by Count).'
Generate Your Report: Click 'Search' to create your Resource report. These reports offer a comprehensive view of your library's materials.

Statistics Reports: Analysing Library Data

Statistics reports provide a deep dive into your library's performance metrics. Here's how to generate them:

Access the Statistics Tab: Click on the "Statistics" tab.
Customise Filters: Statistics reports offer filter fields such as Material Type (GMD), Status, Library, Date Range, and 'Report Type (GMD Cost, Holdings by Library, Top 40 Resource Loans, Top Loans by GMD).'
Fine-Tune Your Report: Customise your Statistics report by selecting Material Type (GMD), specifying Status, choosing a Library, setting a Date Range, and using the radial selector to pick your 'Report Type.'
Generate Your Report: Click 'Search' to generate your Statistics report. These reports enable you to analyse and optimise your library's performance.

The Reports Manager is your library's toolkit for extracting valuable insights from your data. Whether you're focused on circulation, reservations, patron behaviour, resources, or statistics, these reports are designed to meet your unique needs.

So, the next time you need to optimise library management and provide top-notch service to your patrons, remember to harness the power of the Reports Manager. It's your key to unlocking the full potential of your library's data.