Koha Question of the Week: How Can I End Checkouts without Triggering Return Options?

by Hebah Amin-Headley on Aug 2, 2024

Each Friday, we will bring you a new Koha Question of the Week. We will select real questions that we receive and share the answers with you!

Question: How Can I End Checkouts without Triggering Return Options?

Answer: Prior to Koha version 23.05, libraries had limited options for ending old checkouts if they wanted to clean up long lost items from patron checkouts without also trigger return behavior. One interim solution was a plugin, the End Checkouts plugin, which bridged the gap between a recurring library partner need and the feature making it into Koha proper.

In case libraries missed the good news, though, this capability is in Koha now. When libraries submit a list of items for batch modification, the following option appears at the very bottom of the form:

As noted, a return this way will end the checkout without changing the lost status or affecting any fines incurred, and if a library is set up to deny return of withdrawn or damaged items, this will still end the checkout since it is not acting as a full return with all the normal things that would accompany return of a lost item.

Additional Resources

Monday Minutes: Batch Item Modification Improvements