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2.6. Renewing Items

Last Updated 07/13/2026

Checked-out items can be renewed if your library’s policy allows it. REnewals may happen automatically if set to do so, or can be completed manually if autorenewals aren't set, or if an autorenewal fails.

Autorenewals

Circulation policies are set to include the number of times an item may be renewed. Optionally, libraries may set how many of these renewals should happen automatically. For example, a policy with a duration rule of 21D_2R_2A means any items that cirulate on this policy will checkout for 21 days (21D) with 2 available renewals (2R), both of which may happen automatically. All renewals, including autorenewals, will be for the same duration as teh initial checkout.

When an item circulates on a policy with autorenewals, sometime between midnight and 3 am of the item's original due date, Evergreen will attempt to renew the item on behalf of the patron. After an autorenewal attempt, patrons will receive an email detailing which materials were successfully renewed and which should be returned to avoid potential late fines.  

Autonrenewals may fail for any of the following reason:

• If there are holds on the item
• If the patron account exceeds a set threshold, such as too many items overdue or too much owe in fines
• If there are no remaining renewals available (according to the selected circulation modifier of the item),

In some cases, an autorenewal may fail even though the account was in good standing. This may happen if the item would have fufilled a hold, but another item is captured to fulfill that hold between the time of the autorenewal failure and the time the item is returned. In rare instances, autorenewals fail due to an issue in the software itself. If a patron contacts the library about a failed autorenewal, NC Cardinal recommends attempting a manual renewal, then submitting the patron barcode and item barcode via a help desk ticket for further investigation.

Renewing in the Staff Client

If autorenewals are not set in your library or for a specific item type (determined by Circulation Modifier), staff may attempt manual renewals.

Renewing in the Patron Account

1. Retrieve the patron record and go to the Items Out screen.
2. Select the item you want to renew. Select Renew from the Action menu.
3. If you want to renew all items in the account, click Renew All instead.
4. If you want to specify the due date, click Renew with Specific Due Date. You will be prompted to select a due date. Once done, click Apply.

 

Renewing by Item Barcode

1. To renew items by barcode, select Renew Items from the Circulation menu.
2. Scan or manually enter the item barcode.
3. If you want to specify the due date, click Specific Due Date and enter a new due date in yyyy-mm-dd format.

Renewing from the Item Status Screen

Renewing from the item status screen allows staff to renew multiple items at once. This can be particularly useful when renewing items in use by the library, such as for programming, or related to outreach efforts. It's also useful when a list of items to be renewed has been generated from a report.

1. Scan the barcode in the Item Status screen or upload a list of barcodes for batch renewals..
2. Select all items to be renewed from the results grid.
3. Choose Renew Items from the Action menu.
   

Renewing in the OPAC

Patrons may attempt their own renewals by logging into their account in the OPAC.

1. Under the Items Checked Out tab, they will see a list of all items currently checked out to their account.
2. Check the box for any titles to be renewed.
3. Make sure the drop down menu at the top is set to Renew Selected Titles.
4. Click the Go button.
5. A pop-up dialog will ask if you're sure you want to renew the selected items. Click Ok.
6. The item will renew if eligible.