Support and Training Services Report: September 2008Aleph
Cataloging
- In version 18, the sequence of the automatic creation of the ADM record has changed. In ver. 17 and previous versions, the ADM record was created when the bib records were received through the oclc_server/loader. In version 18, the ADM record is not created unless an item record is created. Knowledge Base #3275.
- New Indexing Document will be available by October 1st.
- Course Reserves
- If bib records in a NA (not active) course are displaying in your Web OPAC's Course Reserve library, it is because you have more than one Period check marked in the Add/Update Course workform. Knowledge Base #3276 explains why this is happening and what you should do to prevent it.
- The functionality of limiting the viewing of e-reserves to only allowed users who are registered in a course is not working. We have submitted an incident to ExLibris.
- A Course Reserves Q & A web and conference call meeting is being planned. Watch for a date and time.
Circulation
- The expired patron deletion process is done! Patron records, which had numbered over a million prior to the deletion process, now number a little over 628,000. There were just over 7,000 expired patron records that were not deleted because of activity on the patron record.
OPAC
- Should Google Books opens in new Window? Currently, when you click on the link for Google Books in the web OPAC, the page for Google Books opens in the same window of the browser. Perry has set up a test instance of the Web OPAC http://www.dev18.mnpals.net/ so that the browser will open a new window when you click on the Google Books cover/link. What do you think would work best for your library? We don't have a preference myself, but we have had a couple libraries ask if we could have the Google Books link open in a new window/tab.
Systems
- Print Daemon Bug - ExLibris is aware of this issue and would like to test a fix on our Test server.
Question and Answer Sessions Version 18
- Acquisitions/Serials Q & A
- Thursday, August 21, 2008
- Wednesday, September 3, 2008
- Cataloging/Holding/Items Q & A
- Wednesday, August 20, 2008
- Thursday, September 4, 2008
- Circulation Q & A
- Thursday, August 21, 2008
- Friday, September 5, 2008 (Large-staffed library focus)
- Monday, September 8, 2008 (Small-staffed library focus)
- Systems Q & A
- Wednesday, August 20, 2008
- Thursday, September 4, 2008
- Interlibrary Loan Q & A
- Thursday, August 14, 2008
- Tuesday, August 19, 2008
- Friday, August 22, 2008
- Friday, September 5, 2008
- Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Not Aleph
EZproxy
- The count is now 5 New EZproxy libraries and 21 converted libraries. Six institutions remain to get on the list to convert from LibProxy to EZproxy.
- EZproxy Training - Upcoming - NDC, DCT
- Sites Trained - SCC, TRC, CEN, RCLH, RCLW, HTC, RVL, MCT, MWL, TRM, 8/22-HCC, 8/27-GAC, 9/3-SSU
- Sites Live on EZproxy - SCC, TRC, CEN, Scheduled to go live this week, 9/10-SSU, 9/12-TRM
OCLC Link Manager
- OCLC Link Manager is an Open URL Link Resolver. The MnPALS office has negotiated a group purchase discount price.
- The PALS staff have set up a MnPALS Forum board for discussion about OCLC Link Manager: http://forums.mnpals.org/index.php?board=68.0
- We have 10 libraries who have purchased and been set up: Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Southwest Minnesota State University, College of St. Scholastica, St. Cloud Technical College, Bethany Lutheran College, Inver Hills Community College, South Central College, Dakota County Technical College, Hibbing Community College and Riverland Community College.
- We have 2 additional libraries who have applied to purchase OCLC LInk Manger: Department of Natural Resources and Century College.
- If other libraries are interested in getting a price quote, they should contact Stephen Elfstrand.
MnPALS Plus (Discovery Tool)
- MnPALS Plus went live on August 15, 2008. PALS developed this open source discovery tool using 'vuFind' created by Villanova University.
- To begin using this search tool, point your browser to the MnPALS catalog: http://plus.mnpals.net
- Presentation layer alternative to the ALEPH OPAC.
- Google-like user interface
- Faceted searching
- Social networking features such as tagging
- No additional cost to MnPALS Consortium Libraries
- MnPALS Plus is optional. You may continue to use the ALEPH WebOPAC.
- Usability test is being developed by the MnPALS Discovery Tool Task Force. It will be ready for use by Fall.
- To customize the link to your library catalog, go to the FAQ "Linking or Implementing MnPALS Plus" http://www.mnpals.org/sections/mnpalsplus.html
- Use the FAQ for answers to general questions
- For additional questions, go to the PALS Support Center http://pals.custhelp.com
- MnPALS Discovery Tool Task Force (DTTF) members that worked on bringing you this tool are: Alec Sonsteby (convener), Concordia College; Travis Dolence, Minnesota State University/Moorhead; Evan Rusch, Minnesota State University/Mankato; Melissa Prescott, St. Cloud State University; Jennifer DeJonghe, Metropolitan State University; Adam Marsnik, Normandale Community College; and PALS Liaisons - Al Rykhus, Perry Madden, and Mary Ann Greenwald.
- The PALS Discovery Tool Team is a group of PALS staffers who are collaboratively working with MnPALS DTTF to bring you this tool, MnPALS Plus, and, in the future, other discovery tools. The PALS team is comprised of: Al Rykhus, Perry Madden, Luda Lindahl, Stephen Elfstrand, Linda Richter, and Mary Ann Greenwald.
- PALS will have a booth at the North Dakota Library Association conference from September 24-25 to exhibit and demonstrate MnPALS Plus. Additionally, PALS will provide information about other open source tools being investigated. This same information will be shared at the Minnesota Library Assocation, November 19-21, and Regional ExLibris User Group meeting in March 2009 (date yet to be determined).
MnLink Gateway Update
- As part of a reorganization of job duties in the PALS office, Sonja Eilertson will be taking Susan Dueis' place on the MINITEX/MnLINK ILL Committee. Stephen Elfstrand will now be the primary representative to the Gateway Operations Committee, with Perry Madden as his alternate.
- The annual MnLINK User Group Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2008. It will be held at the Northland Inn in Brooklyn Park. The keynote speaker will be Lee Raines, founding Director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
Task Forces
Authorities
Discovery Tool Task Force
Indexing
Reports Task Force
Questions?
If you have questions, please contact the PALS Support Center at http://pals.custhelp.com
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