Mobile Staff app: Basic operation

April 2025

Quick facts

  • The Mobile Staff app can be used for:
    • Checkout
    • Renewal
    • Modify patron accounts, such as resetting passwords
    • Registration, if necessary
  • The Mobile Staff app cannot be used for these tasks:
    • Check in because it does not route items correctly
    • Pick lists because they are all done in IMMS
  • Mobile Staff Set Up Guide
  • The Mobile Staff app, tablets, and scanners will be included in new technology for renovated libraries.
  • At this time, the Mobile Staff app cannot be used for placing holds.
  • Get support:

Procedures

Log in

See the MCL Mobile Staff Quick Set Up Guide to learn more about how to get the Mobile Staff app on your device.

With your mobile device, look for the Mobile Staff App and tap it to launch.
 

Screenshot of Mobile Staff App

 

  • Sign into the app with your Symphony login.
  • The location set in your Symphony login will tell the app where you are working. To check your location on the app:
    • Click on Setup
    • Your location is the Institution.
  • Update the location in your Symphony login account if that location is incorrect. See Logging in to Symphony.
  • The app will default to Check in after login.
     

    Screenshot of signing into the Mobile Staff App


     

    Screenshot of the Mobile Staff app main menu

     

Set up scanner

For efficient use of the Mobile Staff app, you will use an accessory, a Socket Mobile Scanner, for many materials movement tasks.

This scanner is a small (2”inch x 3”inch) bluetooth-connected barcode scanner.
 

Socket Scanner screenshot
  • Before opening a wizard in the Mobile Staff App, make sure your Socket Mobile Scanner is turned on and connected to the device via Bluetooth.
  • It powers on with a small button on the side and emits a beep when powered on. 
  • Check the Bluetooth connection, and the connection to the scanner using its app on your device. Navigate to “Settings” and “Socket Mobile”:
     

    Screenshot of the settings menu for Socket Mobile

First, check Settings to make sure the bluetooth is connected.
 

Screenshot of settings screen showing Bluetooth connection

 

Next, make sure the scanner is connected to the Socket Mobile app.
 

Screenshot of Socket Scanner setup

 

When connected, it will show, “app mode”.

The settings for the scanner can also be seen when connected. It’s very small, but it also shows the scanner’s battery level percentage.

Now you are connected to the Socket Mobile Scanner, you will be able to scan materials and library cards.

Solving scanner problems

If you are having trouble getting the scanner to connect:

  • Make sure the scanner is charged.
    • Green light on scanner, it’s charged
    • Red light on scanner, it’s low/needs to charge
  • Make sure the scanner is paired with the right device
    • Some locations have been keeping pairs together by using labels or color coding to keep pairs together, but mistakes and mismatching may happen
  • Make sure you have a wi-fi connection
  • Try restarting the scanner or device

Policy

All access policies for the Mobile Staff app are the same as standard Symphony.