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Learn how to install the Amlib Offline Module components onto your PC.

A handy Wizard exists on our Content Portal, which can install the Offline Module components onto any PC selected.

Step 1: Downloading Amlib Offline Module from the OCLC Website

  1. The Amlib Offline module is available on the OCLC Support website, under Amlib > Downloads and Software Updates > Utilities.
  2. Download the AmlibOffline.msi and save it on your Amlib PC
  3. Double-click the AmlibOffline.msi to launch the Wizard – the Amlib Offline installer screen will display

Step 2: Install the Offline module

When run, the Amlib Offline.msi wizard will install all that is required and will download the following:

  • Offline.exe (Offline Application)
  • Offline.ico (Offline Icon)
  • Application extensions files from the Amlib/Programs folder (these are the .dll files which enable to facility to run smoothly).
  1. Double-click on the Amlib Offline.msi file to open the Installation Wizard
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions and prompts to install the Offline module.
  3. Once installed, you will be prompted to copy your Offline.ini file from the Amlib folder on your Amlib server. The Offline.ini file contains your barcode validation settings as previously setup in Main > Supervisor > CheckDigits in Amlib proper. This file should be copied into the following (default) folder location: C:\Program Files\OCLC\Amlib Offline (on older versions of the Offline Module it may say Infovision Technology instead of OCLC in the filepath).

NEW USERS: May elect to use the pre-existing Offline.ini file though it is advisable to use your own generated by Amlib to ensure you have the correct barcode checking.

Please Note: If any changes have occurred to your settings since the last time the Offline module was previously used, then you will need to recopy this file.

Using the Amlib Offline Module (Standard Options)

Offline Folder

Before using the Amlib Offline Module for Issues, an Offline folder should be created.

  1. Launch the Amlib Offline Module client (once installed, a shortcut should appear on the PC desktop).
  2. From the main menu, select Standard Options > Offline Folder
  3. The module will default to the OCLC/Amlib Offline folder. You can add additional subfolders or select a different location to save your offline files to.

Issues

  1. Launch the Amlib Offline Module client
  2. From the main menu, select Standard Options > Issues
  3. A dialogue box will open prompting you create an Offline Issues (*.off) file. By default, the filename will default to the current date and time. For example: 28-Sep-2010 2.55 PM
  4. Click the Save button

    Restarting a Session? It is possible at this stage to select a pre-existing saved (*.off) file. Once selected, you will be prompted that the file already exists – select No to append new issues to this existing file (if the existing file contains no returned items then this prompt will not appear).
  5. The Offline Issues screen will appear:
  6. Click on the F1 button at the beginning of each new borrower transaction to ensure that the previous borrower details have been cleared
  7. Scan (or type) the barcode (borrower number) into the Borrower No field (if typed in, you will need to hit <enter> when completed)
  8. Scan (or type) in the barcodes of the item(s) being borrowed – each item will then appear in the Stockitem No list on the right-hand side of the screen (if typing in the item barcode manually, be sure to hit <enter> after each barcode is typed)
  9. When complete, be sure to select F1 to clear the current borrower details ready for the next borrower
  10. When a session is complete, select File > Exit to exit the Offline Module

It is suggested that the same file is used for about half a day. After that a New File can be created using the File [F1] button to create a new File with a different date and time as the File name. This will make it easier to load later, alternating between Issues and Returns (if Offline Returns have been also done).

Returns

If possible, it is easier to collect returns and load later after the Server has been reconnected or after going LIVE with a conversion. This makes the process more reliable.

If Returns need to be done via Offline follow this procedure. It is suggested that a new file be created during the day – for example: 2 files per day.

  1. Launch the Amlib Offline Module client
  2. From the main menu, select Standard Options > Returns
  3. A dialogue box will display prompting you create an Offline Returns (*.ret) file. By default, the filename will default to the current date and time. For example: 28-Sep-2010 3.56 PM
  4. Click the Save button

    Restarting a Session? It is possible at this stage to select a pre-existing saved (*.ret) file. Once selected, you will be prompted that the file already exists – select the No button to append new returns to this existing file (f the existing file contains no returned items then this prompt will not appear).
  5. The Offline Returns screen will display:
  6. Scan (or type) in the barcodes of the item(s) being returned – each item will then appear in the Stockitem No list on the right-hand side of the screen (if typing in the item barcode manually, be sure to hit the <Enter> key after each barcode is typed)
  7. When a session is complete, select File > Exit to exit the Offline Module

Please Note: We recommend not putting returned items back into general circulation until the end of the day to avoid the possibility of returning an item which has been reissued when the files are uploaded back into Amlib.

Uploading the Offline files

IMPORTANT: When uploading the offline files every effort should be made to ensure the files are loaded in chronological order (oldest first) no matter whether issues or returns. This may require you to alternate uploading the earliest offline issues files and then the earliest offline returns files. This will help ensure the integrity of the data.

If returns are done as well try and alternate the load to more closely reflect the sequence of the activity. For example, load in the first batch of Issues, then the first batch of Returns, next the second batch of Issues, then the second batch of Returns etc.

The process of uploading the files will be similar excepting the filenames, which will differ depending on the file type and saved name.

Uploading Offline Issues

  1. Launch the Amlib client
  2. Go to Main > Circulation > Issues – the Issues screen will display
  3. From the main menu, select Borrower > Basic Offline Issues/Check Out > AmlibBasic
  4. Navigate to the location of the saved .off files – by default offline files will be saved in: C:\Program Files\OCLC\Amlib Offline

    Please Note: On older versions of the Offline Module it may say Infovision Technology instead of OCLC in the filepath.
  5. Select an .off file (oldest first)
  6. Click the Open button
  7. Processing of the Offline Issues will then take place. Any messages relating to the downloaded borrowers and items will also display. This may include Reservations notifications and other alerts or memos.
  8. Once processing is completed, a prompt with the following message will display: The Offline Issues file has been processed. Do you want to clear the File?
  9. If you are satisfied that the issues have been processed, you may wish to clear the file so that unnecessary disk space is freed – click the Yes button to clear the file

Please Note: Items that have been issued via the Offline Module, will have a comment in the Stockitem history (Stockitem module: Item > History).

Uploading Offline Returns

The process of uploading the files will be similar to the Issues process outlined above – only the file names and extensions used will be different.

Please Note: When uploading the offline files every effort should be made to ensure the files are loaded in chronological order (oldest first) no matter whether issues or returns.

  1. Launch the Amlib client
  2. Go to Main > Circulation > Chute Returns – the Chute Returns screen will display
  3. From the main menu, select General > Offline Returns/Check Ins
  4. Navigate to the location of the saved .ret files – by default offline returns files will be saved in: C:\Program Files\OCLC\Amlib Offline

    Please Note: On older versions of the Offline Module it may say Infovision Technology instead of OCLC in the filepath.
  5. Select an .off file (oldest first)
  6. Click the Open button
  7. Processing of the Offline Returns will then take place. Any messages relating to the downloaded borrowers and items will display. This may also include Reservations notifications and other alerts or memos.
  8. Once processing is completed, a prompt with the following message will display: The Offline Returns file has been processed. Do you want to clear the File?
  9. If you are satisfied that the issues have been processed, you may wish to clear the file so that unnecessary disk space is freed – select the Yes button to clear the file