FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is self-booking?
• Self-booking allows you to reserve particular items, instead of conducting the reservation transaction at a service desk. You still have to come to the circulation desk for keys, equipment, etc., but you handle the reservation.
2. Who is permitted to self-book items?
   • Only current UNO students, faculty, and staff.
3. What do I need to self-book an item?
   • Your NU ID number.
4. How can I tell if an item is available for self-booking?
   • Except for Kindles, all other items with the location designation "Main Service Desk" are available for self-booking. The other way to tell if an item is available for self-booking is to look for this button:
5. How far in advance can I book an item?
   • One month before the day needed.

Items Available for Self-Booking

How to Self-Book an Item...

1. First, you need to search for the item you wish to reserve in the library catalog. There are several ways to do this:     

   • Simple: Using the titles above, search by title.

   • Easier: You can also search by keyword, but keep in mind you may retrieve all items with those search terms. For example, if you perform a keyword search for "laptop computer", you may also retrieve books, videos, etc., on that subject. 

   • Easiest: To instantly view a full list of our inventory of a particular item, you can also select the above direct link to the catalog for a particular item. 

2. Begin your keyword search:

   
   

3. The list should display in the catalog.
                 
   Note: If you wish to reserve an item for future use, the status can  be either "AVAILABLE" or show a due date

   
   
4. Look for the "Book This Item" button.
   
5. Log into your account to book an item.
   
6. The welcome message indicates you have sucessfully logged in. First, begin with selecting your desired date and time.
   
7. Viewing the Hourly Calendar
   • In the "Begin" field, enter the date and time you want the booking to start. Please round up to the next 10 minute mark if booking for immediate use. Please note: if an item is not picked up within 15 minutes of the start time of the booking (1 day for items with a regular check-out period of 3 or 90 days) the booking may be cancelled to accommodate other users.
   • In the "End" field, enter the date and time you want the booking to end. Please note: if an item is not returned by the end time, fines may accrue.
   • The end date and time cannot exceed the regular check out period. Please view the table below for a particular items checkout period.
     
     

     Check-out Period for Equipment
     Equipment	Check-out Period
     Study Rooms/Remotes	2 Hours
     Camcorders/Cameras/Tripods/and Recorders	3 Days
     Laptop Computers	3 Hours
     Clickers	8 Hours

   
   
   • Enter any notes for yourself in the "Note" field at the bottom of the "Place a booking" screen.
   • When all information is correct, click the "Submit" button.
   • If you wish to set up repeat bookings, please call or visit the Main Service Desk.
   
   
8. If the booking was sucessfully submitted, you will see a screen describing the booking you just created:
   


9. To view your bookings, log back into "My Account" by typing your name and NU ID number.
   


10. Here's how to cancel a booking:
    

Troubleshooting: How to Interpret the Following Error Messages:

• If you receive an error message stating that "Your record is currently being updated. Please try again later." Continue to hit the submit key until the booking goes through.
• If you receive an error message stating that "The item is currently being updated. Please try again later." continue to hit the submit key until the booking goes through.
• If you receive an error message stating "Please enter a valid ending date." change the End time to 20 minutes earlier. i.e. If you are booking a room from 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM, change 12:00 AM to 11:40 PM.
• If you receive an error message stating "Library is closed at this time." change the End time to 10 or 20 minutes earlier. i.e. If you are booking a room from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, change 5:00 PM to 4:40 PM.
• If you receive an error message stating that there are "No items available on [your chosen time]," make sure that the days/hours of your booking are marked in blue on the calendar. If the time is marked in blue, move your start time forward in time in 10 minute increments until your booking is accepted.
• If you receive an error message stating that "Booking period has exceeded the maximum." reduce your booking period to the regular check-out period of the item being booked according to the rules stated above.

If you are still having difficulty, please contact the Main Service Desk at 402-554-3206 for assistance. 

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