MnPALS Support and Training Services: May 2009 Aleph
Acq/Serials
- There have been some problems with execution errors showing in the logs when the acq-14 and or the edi-11 services are run. Unfortunately it is inconsistent, so sometimes it works okay and sometimes it does not. We have reported this to ExLibris, but because it is not always happening it is difficult to trouble shoot and determine the problem. Generally when this happens Aleph is not producing a print file in your print directory. When you run your acq-14 and your edi-11 be sure to check the log for errors. You can see the log file when you are in the Acquisitions/Serials module by going to the Administration tab, then clicking on the Batch log node. Then find the service you ran, such as the p_edi_11 and highlight it in the upper pane. If you click on Tab 2 Log File in the lower pane you can see the log and check for errors. Below is an example of an error that you might see. Contact the PALS support center if you receive these errors.
- Execution error : file '/exlibris/aleph/a19_1/aleph/exe/xml_to_edi_orders.gnt' error code: 115, pc=0, call=1,seg=0115 Unexpected signal (Signal 4)
- The Acq/Serial Work Day was held at Metro State on April 23rd. Thanks to the Steering Committee for their work in planning the day. It was very well attended. The sessions were informative. Good job everyone!
Cataloging
- The April 23-24, 2009 Cataloger's Workday, held at Metropolitan State University, was very successful with 50+ librarians in attendance. The various session topics with their presentation materials can be found on the PALS homepage at this link http://www.mnpals.org/sections/2009acqsercatworkday.html
New answers have been created in the Knowledge base for these presentation handouts, along with some other new answers that I've created from support questions.
- 3321 Why is my <video> showing up as a <print book>?
- 3320 Using existing Aleph reports for database management
- 3319 Basic Aleph reports: priv-12, priv-16, priv-20, ret-adm-01, priv-07
- 3318 Automatic creation of Holding and Item record
- 3317 Fixed field indexing for collection analysis
- 3315 Generate a list of books to weed
- 3313 Copy reports to excel spreadsheet (3 ways to do this)
- 3308 Authority headings maintenance
- 3305 WFF: Fixed field indexes and how to use them
- 3304 Analytic linkages for serials
- 3303 Aleph reports for database management
- 3302 Turn off automatic creation of item record from the acquistions order form (If you will be using the new automatic creation of holding and item record functionality, ask PALS to change the Tab100 to 'N' for the automatic creation of an item record).
- 3301 Call number label printing
- 3298 Total delete functionality in Cataloging v.19
- 3296 tab_type_config location
- 3294 856 URL link display in GUI or WebOPAC
- Functionality to automatically create a holding and item record upon the export of a bib record from OCLC's Connexion Client or Browser to Aleph is now available in Aleph v.19. If you are interested in implementing this functionality, notify the PalsHelp desk. Currently, one library (NDC) is in production. Three libraries have received the training - BLC, CWN, GAC. Other libraries to receive the training are: BSU, CWN, DTE, IHC, MCT, MSU, MTR, SCS, SMU, WSU.
Course Reserves
A one-hour session on 'Cleaning up Course Reserves at the end of the Semester' was held on the Circ/ILL web session workday. Panelists speaking about cleanup procedures were: Amy Naughton, Arts & Design College; Erin Johnson, Bethany Lutheran College; and Mary Ann Greenwald, PALS Support Specialist.
Jenny Turner is a newly hired Support Specialist in the PALS office. She will be supporting and working with Course Reserves.
There have been 3 recent, complete trainings on v.19 Aleph Course Reserve functionality. A recorded session is available on the PALS homepage (www.mnpals.org -> MnPALS Support Center -> Recorded Sessions -> Course Reserves) or at this link https://breeze5.metnet.edu/p82392363/ PALS is planning to offer another functional training in August. Watch for date and time.
New answers in the Knowledge Base are:
- 3314 Course reserve statistics
- 3311 OPAC display of course reading bib record notes
- 3310 Course notes in the OPAC
- 3309 Faculty note on file records sent from WebOPAC
ILL
- Minnesota State University, Mankato and Traverse des Sioux (TdS) have begun exchanging borrowing and lending interlibrary loan requests. MSU, Mankato uses ALEPH ILL to manage their requests and TdS uses VDX ILL to manage their requests.
- As a followup on the forum and User Group discussion about direct exchange of ILL requests for libraries on the Minitex Overnight Courier delivery service, an email and link to an electronic survey was sent out on the MnPALS Discuss list. The survey is to be completed by June 1st.
- Submitted an additional enhancement request to ELUNA for ExLibris ALEPH version 21. The enhancement request asks that a library be able to control the number of times a patron can request a renewal on an interlibrary loan request.
Workdays
- The Acquisition/Serial & Cataloging Steering Committees held a joint workday on April 23, with Cataloging having an additional workday on April 24. These were held at Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN. ACQ/Serial had a variety of sessions along with a one-hour Speed Dating session. In this session, a variety of librarians shared in 10 minutes a particular practice or work flow used at their library. Then the attendees moved to another table and the session was presented again for the new group of people. This was a very popular and enjoyable session of lightning rounds which was a non-threatening way to present and the attendees received quick information. On Cataloger's Workday, there were 3 tracks of information with (4) one-hour presentations in each track. The tracks were: Reports/Record Clean-Up Track, Cataloging Track, and Aleph Functionality Track. The 50+ attendees on both days gave highly favorable evaluations for the content that was presented and the take-home knowledge that was gained. Session content and presentations can be found on the PALS homepage/MnPALS Consortium/User Groups/either ACQ/Serial or Cataloging User Group/Workday or at this link http://www.mnpals.org/sections/2009acqsercatworkday.html
- The Circulation and Interlibrary steering committees held an online workday on April 30th. Based on polling of attendees the online format was acceptable. Interlibrary loan topics covered in the morning were Filling Photocopy Requests, Minitex Report, and Direct Borrowing discussion. The afternoon focus was on Circulation. Topics covered were Course Reserves "Clean-up and CIRC-05 and TAB-31. Agenda, handouts and one recorded session are available in the Wiki at http://wiki.mnpals.org/index.php/2009_Circulation-Interlibrary_Loan_Workday
EZproxy
OCLC Link Manager
MnPALS Plus
- For more information on this product, check out the MnPALS Forum: http://forums.mnpals.org/index.php?board=35.0
- The export button has been removed from the production interface for the time being. When we get the functionality it will be added back. The different export functions are all on the to-do list.
- MnPALS Plus that will allow you to have a link to a record that also selects your ADM. For this new link just add a /xxx to the Record/nnnnnnnnn/<navigation_selection> urls where xxx is your ADM code. The xxx can be lowercase or uppercase(it will be uppercased by the new code). The record number needs to be 9 digits(left pad with 0's). The <navigation_selection> will work for any of the navigation selection tabs of Holdings, Description, TOC, UserComments, Reviews, Excerpt, or Details.
- We have had some reports of libraries not being able to place holds on MnPALS Plus. If this is happening at your library, please follow the recommendations found in PALS Support Center Answer 3322 for setting your tab_hold_request table to allow Holds via MnPALS Plus.
Task Forces
MnPALS Plus Working Group
Reports Task Force
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