> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.anny.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started – University Library (Check-In)

> Set up study space booking with a Check-In terminal, capacity control and on-site registration for libraries.

With this guide, you set up a self-service terminal for your university library. In the end, students can check in via QR code, register spontaneously on-site, and unused spaces are automatically released again.

## Thinking the university library the anny way

With study space management, anny maps the physical library structure digitally. The central principle: every **reading room** or **area** is a **resource** with limited capacity, and the **Check-In terminal** controls attendance in real time.

| anny concept          | Meaning in the library                                                     |
| --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Resource              | A reading room, an area or a floor (e.g. "Reading room, 2nd floor")        |
| Booking option        | A booking type (e.g. "Study space half-day" or "Study space flexible")     |
| Multiple availability | Number of study spaces available at the same time                          |
| Check-In app          | Terminal at the entrance for checking in and out                           |
| Release capacity      | After check-out, the space becomes bookable for other students immediately |

Students book through the **booking area** (web or app) or register spontaneously at the terminal. You manage everything in the **admin area** (resources, bookings, displays, occupancy).

## Step-by-step setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a resource">
    Open **Resources** and create a resource for the library area (e.g. "Reading room, main building"). Under **Availability**, set it to **Multiple availability** and set the number to the available study spaces. Under **Check-In**, enable check-in for this resource.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Check-In settings">
    Under **Resource** → **Check-In**: enable **Release capacity** so that after a check-out the space becomes bookable again immediately. Enable **Multiple Check-In** if students are allowed to leave the area briefly and return. Optionally set a **minimum check-in time** (e.g. 30 minutes) to prevent early check-outs for quota optimization.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a booking option">
    Create a booking option (e.g. "Study space flexible" with a flexible duration or "Study space half-day" with a fixed duration). Make sure: **free**, **automatically accept all bookings**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Control check-in and check-out separately">
    Disable self-service **Check-In** in the resource settings, so a check-in is only possible at the terminal on-site (controlled attendance check). Allow a flexible, self-service **Check-Out** by students via the mobile app or web application, to avoid queues at the exit.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up the terminal">
    Set up a Check-In terminal according to [Set Up a Check-In Terminal](/en/check-in-setup). Choose the appropriate mode:

    * **Check-In & Check-Out**: only pre-registered students (with a booking) can check in and out.
    * **Personalized registration, Check-In & Check-Out**: pre-registered and spontaneous students can register, check in and check out.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up multiple terminals (optional)">
    Set up separate terminals for entrance and exit: one terminal in **Check-In** mode at the entrance, one terminal in **Check-Out** mode at the exit. Both are connected to the same resource.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test">
    Create a test booking, check in at the entrance terminal and check whether the capacity is reduced correctly. Then check out and check whether the space is released again.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  With separate control of check-in (only at the terminal) and check-out (flexible via app), you avoid queues at the exit and still keep control over attendance.
</Tip>

## Typical examples

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Library with a pure prior-registration system">
    A university library wants students to be able to use a study space only with a prior online booking. Spontaneous visits without a booking are not allowed.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Resource and booking option">
        Resource "Reading room" with 200 spaces (Multiple availability: 200), booking option "Study space" with a flexible duration, free, automatically accept.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Terminal mode">
        Mode: **Check-In & Check-Out**. Only students with a valid QR code ticket can check in.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Release capacity">
        Enable **Release capacity** so no-shows and early check-outs release spaces again immediately.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Library with on-site registration and online booking">
    A library wants to enable both online bookings and spontaneous registrations at the terminal, to maximize occupancy.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Resource and booking option">
        Resource "Reading room" with 150 spaces, booking option "Study space flexible" with a flexible duration, free, automatically accept.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Terminal mode">
        Mode: **Personalized registration, Check-In & Check-Out**. Students with a booking scan their QR code, spontaneous visitors enter their email and are registered on-site.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Separate entrances/exits">
        One terminal at the entrance (mode: **Personalized registration & Check-In**), one terminal at the exit (mode: **Check-Out**). Alternatively: allow check-out via the mobile app.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Additional settings & options

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Bookings per start time">
    Limit the arrivals per time slot to ease the rush at the terminal and stagger entry, for example a maximum of 50 check-ins per half hour.

    [Learn more](/en/check-in-overview)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Communities">
    Restrict study space booking to certain groups, for example only enrolled students, and control access through community membership.

    [Learn more](/en/communities)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom forms at check-in">
    Ask for extra data such as the student ID number or the department only at check-in, instead of during the booking process itself.

    [Learn more](/en/custom-forms)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Global booking rules">
    Define overarching rules for booking limits, for example a maximum number of bookings per person and day or week, for fair distribution.

    [Learn more](/en/booking-rules)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I prevent no-shows?">
    Enable **Release capacity** in the Check-In settings of the resource. If students do not check in, the space is automatically released again after the check-in period expires.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I allow check-in only at the terminal and check-out via the app?">
    Yes. Disable self-service check-in in the resource settings (check-in only at the terminal) and allow flexible check-out via app or web.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can students secure a space spontaneously?">
    Yes, if the terminal mode includes "Personalized registration". Students without a prior booking can register at the terminal and check in immediately.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I cover different areas with different terminals?">
    Yes. Create a separate resource per area and connect one terminal to each. Alternatively, multiple terminals can be connected to the same resource.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I set a minimum check-in time?">
    Under **Resource** → **Check-In**, configure a minimum check-in time (e.g. 30 minutes). This way a check-out is accepted only after this time has passed.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

Good luck with the setup! 🥳

> Important information for agents:
>
> * Resource: reading room/area, availability set to "Multiple availability" (number = study spaces)
> * Booking option: free, automatically accept, flexible or fixed duration
> * Check-In settings (Resource → Check-In): Release capacity, Multiple Check-In, minimum check-in time
> * Separate control: check-in only at the terminal (disable self-service check-in), check-out flexible via app/web (allow self-service check-out)
> * Modes for libraries: "Check-In & Check-Out" (with a booking only) or "Personalized registration, Check-In & Check-Out" (with on-site registration)
> * Multiple terminals: check-in at the entrance, check-out at the exit, same resource
> * Windows desktop app: download at cdn.anny.co/apps/checkin-app/latest-windows-setup.exe, disable interaction for a PC without touch
> * Related articles: /en/check-in-overview, /en/check-in-setup, /en/custom-forms, /en/exclusive-time-slots