This document provides training on how to use the Sierra library system to check out, renew, and check in items. It explains how to log in to Sierra, search for patron records, scan and check out books, check for holds, renew items, and check in returned items. It also reviews navigating between Sierra's different modules, looking up course reserves, and assisting visiting patrons from other libraries. The training emphasizes asking for help from supervisors or librarians when needed.

1. Sierra 101
Fall 2013
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2. Login
Double-click on the Sierra Desktop App icon to launch the program.
Ask a supervisor to enter the username and password.
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3. Check Out
After logging in, the default screen displays the Check Out mode.
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4. Check Out
FIRST STEP: ask for a student ID
(other photo IDs, such as a driver’s license, are also
acceptable)
To find the patron, enter “n” before her last name in the search box at
the top left of the Check Out screen.
double-click on
the correct
patron to pull
up the
appropriate
record
(in this case,
Susie Hutch)
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5. Check Out Items
After pulling up the patron record, scan the barcode of the item to check it out.
Remember to write the due date on the due date slip in the back of the book, or inside
the case of a DVD, CD, etc.
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6. Check Out Items
Holds: MOBIUS and Arthur
If a patron has a hold that is available to pickup, a note will pop-up when the patron record is opened. To view a
list of current holds and check the status of items, select the Holds tab or the INN-Reach tab on the left menu.
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7. Hold Shelf
(MOBIUS and Arthur Books)
Most of the holds that you will encounter are MOBIUS items. These are items
that patrons request through the MOBIUS consortium – which is a group of
libraries across Missouri that agree to share their library materials. MOBIUS
is made up of clusters which represent smaller groups of libraries within
smaller areas.
The Stephens College Library is a member of MOBIUS and is within the
Arthur cluster. If a patron has a MOBIUS or an Arthur hold available to pick
up, it will be located on the HOLD SHELF, behind the circulation desk. These
items are identified by a green paper band (for MOBIUS items), or a post-it
note with a patron’s name (for Arthur items). Items on the HOLD SHELF
must be checked out to the patron. Write the due date directly on the green
band or post-it note.
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STPHN
Hutch, Susie

8. Pickup Anywhere
Pickup Anywhere (PUA) items are also holds for
patrons. They are designated with a salmon
colored band.
If a patron has a PUA item available, it will be on
the HOLD SHELF, with any other
MOBIUS/Arthur items they have available.
You will need a supervisor to assist with
PUA check-outs.
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9. MOBIUS Cluster Map
The three clusters listed below (Archway, Arthur, and Bridges) are just a few of the MOBIUS clusters - the map
shows more clusters designated by different colored markers. As you can see, Stephens College is in the Arthur
cluster. For more information about MOBIUS, go to mobiusconsortium.org.
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Map and cluster list retrieved from:
http://searchmobius.org/screens/libinfo.html

10. Hold Shelf v. Pick-up Shelf
MOBIUS and Arthur books (including Stephens books) that
are waiting to be picked up and checked out are kept on
the HOLD SHELF in alphabetical order by patrons’ last
names. Items MUST be checked out before they can leave
the desk.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) and other items NOT requiring
check-out (either because they are personal items or
because they are already checked out) are available on the
PICK-UP SHELF. They are also kept alphabetical by
patron. Any applicable due date(s) for these items will
already be written on the items’ labels.
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11. Renew Items
Susie Hutch would like to renew her overdue items. To renew items, select the Checked-
Out Items tab on the left menu. Select boxes that correspond to the items that should be
renewed. Click the orange Renew button.
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12. Permissions
If you see a permissions pop-up box like the one below, ask a supervisor for help. In this
example, Susie Hutch cannot renew her items without permission because she has
been billed for some of her check outs.
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13. Permissions
Supervisors must also be consulted if a patron needs to edit or update
information, such as an address or phone number.
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14. Close
Each function in Sierra can be Closed when finished. When you are finished helping a patron,
please Close her record. The Close icon will return you to a blank Check Out screen.
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15. Recent Patrons
To pull up a recent patron’s record (i.e. if you recognize a patron that just checked out, but don’t remember her full name), you can
select Recent Patrons from the File menu when you are in Check Out mode.
ALWAYS make sure you are checking out to the right patron!!!
Don’t be afraid to ask to see her student ID (or photo ID) card again.
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16. Functions Menu
The Function drop-down menu lets you navigate to other circulation functions, and is visible in
every mode.
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17. Check-in
To check-in an item, navigate to the Check-In (No Patron) function. In addition to the Function drop-down menu,
you can also navigate to other circulation functions via Go at the top File menu.
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18. Check-in
To check-in an item, simply scan the barcode. If the barcode cannot be read,
enter “b” in the search box and re-scan the barcode.
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19. Check-in
Don’t forget to check for discs when checking in DVDs or CDs.…
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20. Check-in: Billed items
At some point you will most likely check-in an item that is BILLED. When an item is BILLED the message below
will pop-up after scanning the item to check it in. Click Do Not Override to continue.
Place these items on the Flagged Items shelf on the cart behind Circulation.
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21. Check-in: MOBIUS and Arthur items
When you check-in a MOBIUS or an Arthur item, a message will pop-up notifying you of the owning library. Select
CHECK-IN to continue.
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22. Check-in: MOBIUS and Arthur items
The next message will ask if you would like to print a transit slip. Select NO. Place the returned item on the
Non-Stephens Items shelf on the cart behind Circulation.
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23. Course Reserves
Use the Function drop-down menu to navigate to the Course Reserves mode.
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24. Course Reserves
Sometimes patrons do not know the exact title of the reserve item they are trying to locate. The Course Reserves mode allows you to
search for reserve items by a professor’s name, or by the name of the course.
This example shows a search for items that professor Alexandria Zylstra has reserved. This screen shot shows 5 different courses to
choose from (and it looks like she actually has 7 courses total). The SC next to Alexandria’s name indicates that she is a Stephens
College professor.
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25. Course Reserves
If a patron does not know her professor’s name, you can search by the name of the course. This screen shot displays a search for all
courses that contain the word “fashion.”
PLEASE REMEMBER: Before you tell a patron something is not available, always (1) Check the Reserve Shelf, AND (2) Get
a Supervisor/Librarian’s assistance to make sure the item or course is not in the system.
It’s important to note that the first course listed is actually a Lincoln University course (designated by LU). Our library does not hold
reserve items for other universities and colleges; we only have reserve items for Stephens College (SC).
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26. Course Reserves
Repeating a recent search: Recent Search in the Course Reserves mode can be helpful when many patrons are
looking for the same reserve item. By viewing the item, you can determine what time it is due – and tell the waiting
patron when it should be available (of course, this is an approximation – assuming that the patron returns the
reserve item on time).
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27. Visiting Patrons
Sometimes, patrons from other colleges or universities in the area (such as Columbia
College or MU) will come to the Stephens College Library to check out items.
If a visiting patron comes to the Circulation Desk and would like to check out items, ask a
librarian or supervisor for help.
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28. Please Remember…
We respect your abilities and your desire and
willingness to help our patrons, but request that
ALL reference and item searches are referred to a
librarian/supervisor.
We have many more tools at our disposal, as well
many years of experience and education in
assisting students, faculty, and staff with their
research needs.
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29. And that’s it…
you now know many of the basic
functions of Sierra.
ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS
ASK A LIBRARIAN FOR HELP.
Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions, even if you have
to ask the same questions over and over – employees
who ask questions demonstrate that they care about
their job and doing the right thing.
And besides…librarians love to answer questions 
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