MobileStaff - Installing, Logging In, and Managing Settings

MobileStaff - Installing, Logging In, and Managing Settings

About

This article covers installing, activating, and logging into the MobileStaff app (previously known as MobileCirc), as well as adjusting default settings. Settings can be adjusted for devices, check out, deselection (weeding), holds, inventory, adding users, and other general settings.

Installing and Activating the MobileStaff App

All MSC libraries can use MobileStaff at no additional cost - it is included in the cost of membership.
To install and activate MobileStaff on a tablet or smartphone:
  1. Search for MobileStaff in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store; OR use one of the following direct links:
    1. Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sirsidynix.mobilecirc
    2. Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mobilestaff/id743010884
  2. Download and install the app on your device.
  3. Once installed, open the app.
  4. Enter the Activation URL and Activation Key. If you don't already have this information, please open a ticket to request it.
  5. Tap Activate.
  6. Select your Institution (library) from the drop-down.
  7. Tap Apply.

Logging In

App

  1. Open the app.
  2. Enter the same username and password you use for WorkFlows.
  3. Tap Sign In.
  4. If this is your first time logging into the app, we recommend reviewing the Managing Settings section below.

Browser Version

  1. Open your browser. MobileStaff is supported on the two latest versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.
  2. Enter the Activation URL into your browser. If you don't already have this information, please open a ticket to request it.
  3. Enter the Activation Key.
  4. Tap Activate.
  5. Select your Institution (library) from the drop-down.
  6. Tap Apply.
When using MobileStaff via a web browser, staff won't have access to:
  1. Driver's license scanning
  2. Receipt printing
  3. Taking patron photos
  4. RFID support
  5. Offline circulation

Managing Settings

Default settings can be adjusted at any time by tapping the hamburger menu (three vertical lines stacked) at the top-left corner of the screen, then tapping Setup.

General Settings

  1. Tap the hamburger menu (three vertical lines stacked) at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Tap Setup.
  3. The list of General settings will appear. If the section isn't open, tap the General heading to expand it.
  4. From here you can change:
    1. your institution (library)
    2. language
    3. Idle Time Out, or amount of time you can be idle in the app before it logs you out
    4. color theme
  5. Leave the Station Name field blank.
  6. Tap Apply to save your changes.

Devices (Associating and Pairing)

  1. Tap the hamburger menu (three vertical lines stacked) at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Tap Setup.
  3. Tap the Devices heading to display the settings for that section.
  4. From here you can select the following devices to associate with the app (for Bluetooth barcode scanners, see A Note on Bluetooth Barcode Scanners below):
    1. magnetic stripe reader
    2. receipt printer; make sure any printer you purchase supports Bluetooth. SirsiDynix has tested and approved:
      1. Epson Mobilink P80 Plus 3"
      2. Infinite Peripherals DPP-250, -350, -450
      3. Star Micronics SM-L200, -S220i, -S230i, -T300i
      4. Zebra iMZ, QLn, and ZQ500 Series
    3. RFID functionality - please open a ticket if interested in utilizing this feature in MobileStaff.
  5. Tap Apply to save your changes.
You will need to pair the Bluetooth printer with your tablet or smartphone to select it in the app. To do this:
  1. On your iOS or Android device, pull up your Bluetooth settings. This may look like Settings > Bluetooth or similar.
  2. Turn on the Bluetooth functionality.
  3. Turn the receipt printer on. It should appear as an available device in the app. If using an iOS device, the printer will appear under Other devices in the app.
  4. Select the printer.
  5. When prompted, choose to pair the printer to the app.
  6. Tap Apply to save your changes. 
According to SirsiDynix, an Infinite Peripherals DPP series printer must have IPC followed by a space at the beginning of the name when it appears in the list of available devices. If it doesn't, you'll need to rename it; e.g. if it says DPP-350C, you'll need to change it to IPC DPP-350C.

A Note on Bluetooth Barcode Scanners

Bluetooth barcode scanner settings aren't addressed in the Setup menu; however, according to system administrators in other consortia, it sounds like a scanner will work with the MobileStaff app if it supports Bluetooth and reads Codabar. SirsiDynix provides one "approved" Bluetooth scanner: Socket Mobile SocketScan S740. This doesn't mean it's the only Bluetooth scanner that will work, just that it's one they've tested; however, it can be prohibitively expensive.

While you don't need to associate a Bluetooth scanner to the app itself, you still need to pair it to your tablet or smartphone by:
  1. On your iOS or Android device, pull up your Bluetooth settings. This may look like Settings > Bluetooth or similar.
  2. Turn on the Bluetooth functionality.
  3. Turn the scanner on.
  4. If prompted, choose to pair the scanner to your tablet/smartphone.
  5. You should now be able to successfully scan.

Check Out

  1. Tap the hamburger menu (three vertical lines stacked) at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Tap Setup.
  3. Tap the Check Out heading to display the settings for that section.
  4. From here you can adjust:
    1. the item display limit - the maximum number of checkouts that display when viewing a patron's account in the Check Out screen. Performance may be affected if you go higher than the default of 250.
    2. if and how to email receipts - if you select:
      1. None - users won't be emailed receipts.
      2. Choose - at the end of a transaction the app will ask if you want to email a receipt; if so, you can choose whether you want the receipt to include just the recently scanned items or all checkouts on the account.
      3. Current - at the end of a transaction the app will automatically email the user a receipt listing the checkouts you just scanned.
      4. All - at the end of a transaction the app will automatically email the user a receipt listing all their checkouts, both the ones you just scanned and any other existing checkouts on the account.
    3. if you print receipts. If you check this box, your Bluetooth printer will automatically print a list of the checkouts you just scanned. This option will remain greyed out until a printer is paired with your tablet or smartphone.
    4. whether you get audio alerts of pop-ups when checking out.
    5. whether you want to be able to extend expired library privilege at check out.
    6. whether you want to view or hide the Current Item and Current User features.
  5. Tap Apply to save your changes.

Deselect/Holds

This section tells the app how to handle items that you mark missing or discard when using the Deselect and Holds Pull List functionality.
  1. Tap the hamburger menu (three vertical lines stacked) at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Tap Setup.
  3. Tap the Deselect/Holds heading to display the settings for that section.
  4. From here you can designate:
    1. Your library's unique missing user barcode, e.g. BELGRADE-MISSING. Please open a ticket if you need to know your library's missing user information (it isn't the MISSING default). This field is required.
    2. Your discard user - leave this field blank.
    3. Whether you want to show item edition, e.g. First edition, Large Print edition, etc., on the Holds Pull List. Keep in mind that, depending on your local practice, this information may already appear elsewhere in the list, e.g. item call number.
  5. Tap Apply to save your changes.

Inventory

  1. Tap the hamburger menu (three vertical lines stacked) at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Tap Setup.
  3. Tap the Inventory heading to display the settings for that section.
  4. From here you can designate:
    1. whether you get audio alerts of pop-ups while scanning
    2. whether you want the app to check shelving order and provide an audio alert when scanning an item that's misshelved.
  5. Tap Apply to save your changes.

Add User

  1. Tap the hamburger menu (three vertical lines stacked) at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Tap Setup.
  3. Tap the Add User heading to display the settings for that section.
  4. From here you can designate which field(s) you want the app to use to check for duplicate users when registering someone.
  5. Tap Apply to save your changes.

Offline

  1. Tap the hamburger menu (three vertical lines stacked) at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Tap Setup.
  3. Tap the Offline heading to display the settings for that section.
  4. Select Enabled from the drop-down. This gives you the option to Work Offline (on the sign-in page) when you can't connect to the internet.
For more information on using MobileStaff offline, please see MobileStaff - Working Offline.

Kiosk Mode

  1. Tap the hamburger menu (three vertical lines stacked) at the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Tap Setup.
  3. Tap the Kiosk Mode heading to display the settings for that section.
  4. From here you can choose how your users will interact with the app when it's in kiosk mode:
    1. Show Both - users will have the option to check items out, as well as the option to check them in.
    2. Hide Check In - users will only be able to check items out. They won't have the option to check them in.
    3. Hide Check Out - users will only be able to check items in. They won't have the option to check them out.
    4. Touch Free Check Out - users will be able to check out using only a scanner rather than interacting with a touchscreen. Onscreen instructions prompt the user to scan her card to pull up her account, scan her items, then scan her card again to complete the transaction.
For more information on using MobileStaff as a self-service kiosk, please see MobileStaff - Kiosk Mode.

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