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The availability grid is one of the booking page styles for spaces and seats. When patrons use a computer, it's useful for getting a bird's-eye view of availability in a lot of different areas at once. You start by selecting a location with options to filter by zone, category, and capacity. From there you are presented with a grid of available time slots for each space/seat. After selecting a start time, you may be able to update the end time for your booking. You can optionally add equipment (if part of your LibCal site) and then finish the booking process by completing the booking form, accepting any terms and conditions, and submitting the booking.

The availability grid interface includes the option to switch to a screen reader-friendly format by clicking a link in the footer.

Book using the availability grid

LibCal offers multiple ways to access the public booking page, some of which entail showing pre-selected options once you get to the availability grid. In some cases, you might have chosen these options yourself, such as on the New Reservation page where you pick your filters upfront. As a result, what you see below might not match exactly, but the general process and your options should look the same starting at Step 4.

1. Select the Location where you'd like to book a space or seat. To view all public locations that use the flexible booking grid, select View All Locations.
   • Note: Locations that use fixed, period-based bookings do not appear under All Locations. These must be viewed one at a time.
2. Select the Category where you'd like to book. To view all categories, choose Show All.
3. Use the Capacity dropdown to filter results based upon how many people the space or seat can accommodate.
   • When available, you can select Single Seat Booking to view all seats.
   • To show all available spaces, choose the option All Spaces (not seats).
4. Navigate to the date when you want to book.
   1. Use the  Go to Date button to select a specific date.
   2. Use the Back () and Forward () buttons to navigate between weeks.
   3. If there are no available times in the current view, the  Next Available button will appear. Click this button to jump to the next available time slot.

5. Click on an available time slot to create a booking that starts at that time.
   4. To view more info about a space, including the photo, description, and directions, click on the room's Info badge.
   5. Use the horizontal scroll bar to view additional times in the grid.

6. Your booking time will update to show the default booking duration, with the start time you originally selected. You may be able to select a different end time from the dropdown menu.
   6. To remove the booking (to choose a new start time or not book anything after all), click its trash can () button.
7. Click the Submit Times button. If LibAuth is active, then you will also be prompted to authenticate.
   7. If you would like to book equipment along with this space/seat, first click on the Add Equipment button. You will be directed to the Equipment catalog, where you can add your desired item(s). When you click Checkout, you will return to booking process for the space/seat.

8. Review any terms and conditions (set for the location, category, space/seat, or equipment item), and then click Continue.
   8. To modify your booking, click the Change link under the Booking Details.

9. Fill out the booking form.
   9. If your category has public nicknames active, there will be a field where you can give your booking a name (e.g. "Study Group"). This will add your booking to a searchable list that will allow other users to more easily find your booking, which is especially useful for events, workshops, or study groups.
   10. To modify your booking, click the Change link under the Booking Details. Once a booking is submitted, it can only be edited by a staff user.
10. Click the Submit my Booking button. 

11. If email verification is required, you will receive a notification email to confirm the booking. Once the booking has been confirmed (via email verification, automatically, or by mediation), you will receive a confirmation/mediation approved email. If activated for the location, you'll also get an iCal (.ics) file for the booking attached to the email.

Book using the screen reader-friendly booking page

For users of assistive technologies such as screen readers, LibCal provides an alternative booking page that is optimized for keyboard navigation. It can be accessed in the footer of the availability grid booking page and used by anyone. It can also be a good option for patrons who have trouble navigating the grid using a mobile device.

1. On an availability grid booking page, find the message in the footer that reads "View this page in a format suitable for screen-readers and keyboard-only users." Click the screen-readers and keyboard-only users link to proceed.

2. On the New Reservation page, use the dropdown options to filter the list of available time slots by location, zone, category, capacity, and/or space, as well as to spaces/seats designated as accessible or powered.
3. Click the Show Availability button.

4. A list of available times for the current date will appear, grouped by each space matching your filter criteria. Select the checkbox next to the time(s) you want to book a space or seat.
   1. If needed, use the Date dropdown to select a different date and click the Show Availability button to update the list.
   2. If you need to change any other filters, such as location or category, click the You can go back and change the filters link at the top of the page.
5. Click the Submit Times button at the bottom of the page to proceed to the booking form.

6. Review any terms and conditions (set for the location, category, or space/seat), and then click Continue.
   3. To modify your booking, click the Change link under the Booking Details.

7. Fill out the booking form.
   4. If your category has public nicknames active, there will be a field where you can give your booking a name (e.g. "Study Group"). This will add your booking to a searchable list that will allow other users to more easily find your booking, which is especially useful for events, workshops, or study groups.
   5. To modify your booking, click the Change link under the Booking Details. Once a booking is submitted, it can only be edited by a staff user.
8. Click the Submit my Booking button.

9. If email verification is required, you will receive a notification email to confirm the booking. Once the booking has been confirmed (via email verification, automatically, or by mediation), you will receive a confirmation/mediation approved email. If activated for the location, you'll also get an iCal (.ics) file for the booking attached to the email.