MnPALS Circulation Users Group: Spring 2007

MINUTES

PRESENT: Lynne Weber, Kris Hobday, Peter Jarnstrom, Rosemary Mock/MSU; Kathleen Ashe, Mary Jane Striegel, Carolyn Bruning/SMSU; Leah Anderson/CKK; Megan Ballengee, Pat Sauerer, Angela Wortham/SCS; Michael Barnett, Becky Bell, Ludmila Lindahl, Alan Rykhus, Susan Dueis/PALS; Bonnie Boese, Al Mamaril/ARC; Jim Byerly/MnDOT; Cory Cain/MCO; Jan Carey/HCC; Carrie Curie, Deb Kelman, Kirsten Larson/MSCTC; Todd Digby/MnSCU; Bev Ehresmann, Bonnie Kalla, Janine Lortz, Nicole Reuter, Jenn Schwichtenberg, Dave Wuolu/SBJ; Sharon Evensen/VCC; Stu Rosselet/BSU; Julie Ewert, Erin Johnson/BLC; Chris Gevara, Liz Keeler/XOJ; Carol Johnson/NOR; Konstanin Kaltsas/MNI; Joan Klanderud/SCC; Karen L’heureux, Connie Moeller/LSC; Ron McGriff/PTC, Amy Naughton/ADC; Carol Nelson, Becky Ringwelski/MII, Cynthia Jorstad/NCTC; Kathy Ness/TRM; Karen Ostovich/CSS; Pam Pitts, Janet van Oosten/CWN; Barbara Schuldt/DCT; Pam Sukalski/MWL; Laurie Tekautz/CTC; Kathy Wille/IHC; Jane Young/LCO; Michael Kirby/DCTC

1. Opening remarks were given by Convener – Lynne Weber (MSU).
2. Bonnie Kalla (SBJ) was introduced as Recorder.
3. Additions to the agenda:
   • Changes to the Work Plan – Kathleen Ashe (SSU)
   • Elections moved up to 5-6 on agenda – Lynne Weber (MSU)
4. Minutes from the Fall meeting were approved by Kathleen Ashe (SSU) and second by Jan Carey (HCC). All votes in favor.
5. Explanation of revised procedures for election of Steering Committee.
   • Lynne Weber spent a few minutes explaining the role and election process of the Steering Committee as decided at the Fall 2006 User Group Meeting.
   • The group was then divided in groups by library type and asked to select a representative.
   • Since the majority of the Special Libraries and State Agencies are not on Circulation, no representative was selected from those two groups.
6. Call for vote. The following people were selected to serve on the Steering Committee.
   • Private Universities and Colleges: Gretchen Pyle (SMU) not present but had asked to be nominated.
   • 2 year State and Technical Colleges: Pam Sukalski (MWL).
   • Kathleen Ashe (SSU), whose terms expires in 2008,.will continue to represent the State Universities.
7. Susan Dueis (PALS) highlighted a few of the circulation issues on the PALS Support and Training Services Report.
   • Number 2 on the report: There is now a list of definitions for the Oracle Tables. “ALEPH 17.01 Collected Oracle Tables” on the PALS Web site, in the Aleph Secure Documents area, under Systems.
   • Numbers 4 and 8h on the report: Susan explained that the PLIF has more errors because it is set up to do more checks. There are explanations in the Answer Book – Knowledge Base (http://pals.custhelp.com) on how to fix these errors (Answer #3116). A bit confusing but Susan said to follow through step by step on the logs.
   • Number 8f on the report: P-circ-77 service – deleting patron records is currently not working correctly. PALS is working with ExLibris to fix.
   • Susan also encouraged people to attend the ELUNA Conference – June 5-8, 2007.
8. Patron record blocks: procedures used and visibility of blocks within other libraries (Pam Werre, MSU). Lots of discussion on this topic.
   • Susan explained that when a block is added to a local patron record it will get applied overnight and appear as a 99 global block on the patron’s record. Blocks should be added at the Local Level. If on the Aleph/Global level other libraries can delete.
   • In Version 17 the patron is able to see activity at all the ADM Libraries through Your Borrowing Record in the OPAC. This can be a workaround to view why a patron is blocked.
   • Library headings for activity in Your Borrowing Record appear as MSU50 (example) which Kathleen Ashe felt might be confusing to patrons and asked if the “50” could be dropped. Al and Perry didn’t think it could be changed.
9. Circulation statistic in Aleph compared to circulation statistic in PALS: have totals dropped? (Pam Werre, MSU)
   • Most libraries reported some drop in statistics from PALS to Aleph. Discussion followed on a variety of reasons why: withdrawals, Special ID’s no longer generating stats, no ILL stats, periodicals no longer circulating, etc.
   • Susan Dueis stated that in order to report this as a problem to ExLibris they would need some kind of specific test results.
   • MSU Moorhead compared circulation statistics from fall 2005 (Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2005) on PALS to circulation statistics from fall 2006 (Sept. 1-Dec. 31, 2006) on Aleph. They have noted a 23% drop in circulation transactions when comparing these two time periods. Typically, they were experiencing a 3%-4% drop in circulation transactions annually.
10. Changes to work plan - Kathleen Ashe (SSU).
    • Kathleen asked if the link between the Business Office and Circulation could be moved up to a higher priority. It is currently a 4a. Motion was made and passed to move this work plan item to a higher priority
    • After lots of discussion concerning those libraries who don’t want this to be automatic and what else on the list then gets a lower priority (example: booking, inventory) it was decided that Becky and Al (PALS) will look into the time and work involved and determine a time table.
    • Dave Wuolu (SBJ) did question how this functionality will be affected in Version 18. Al felt in theory it should all transfer.