discharging wizard

If you hadn't already noticed the discharge wizard now tells you what to do when an item is not charged. It catches holds and in-transits and you do'n have to go into check item status. Just putting in my two cents about a positive change from the upgrade. =)

Font size for HOLD SLIPS

The current recommendation for font size (as per the Trainer's Meeting June 20th) is:
18 Verdana for HOLD SLIPS
11 Verdana for PATRON RECEIPTS
Depending on the branch set-up, this could mean resetting the font size
while processing the shipment holds.
Checking in materials during the day, at a terminal that is also used for
PATRON CHECKOUTS, will result HOLD SLIPS printed in 11 Verdana.
In YP at BI we currently have this situation.
Presently, we just turn the 11 Verdana slips 90 degrees left and write the
first 3 letters of the last name (we always do this anyway). The slips are a little
short, but the full name usually shows. These slips do not seem that bad to me.
I'd be interested to know other points of view!
Susan B. @ BIYP

Where Am I on the Hold List?

I was able to find this information by a rather cumbersome method. What is the quickest way?

"Freezing" windows

We've had some problems with certain windows locking up here at MA (graying-out options or not allowing us to enter information into any input fields), and up until now I've found a way around it in the checkout and discharge windows. However, this morning we had the "display user" window stuck open; it could not be closed, no information could be entered into the user ID field, and we had to shut down the unicorn client and bring it back up to remedy the problem. The work-around (hitting alt-O and then accepting the error that pops up) didn't work at all, perhaps because it was not the fault of the scanner as the other window freezes are.

Is anyone else having this problem?

Font size for hold slips

A font size of 18 regular will print a hold slip on which the last name will always print to the left of the slip, with the exception of three-letter surnames. This should make uniformity easier when placing the hold slip in the book or media item, and easier reading on the holds shelves.

Changing default search type

Good news! We can change the default "Item Search" type at an individual terminal. Right now, all are set at the default "General" and "Keyword" search. If you prefer to set your terminal for a different default search such as "Title" and "Browse", here's how:
1. Right click on "Item Search" in the left hand menu.
2. Left click on Properties.
3. This brings up a screen where you can change the default setting to your own preference.

If you share the terminal with others, you should agree with them on what's the best default setting. This can be changed on a temporary basis; when you exit Workflows it will ask if you want to save the properties.

Modify User Record

What happened to the button in the User Display that said "Modify This User?" That was very useful. Now you have to click on Modify User on the side bar then click on the button with their user ID on it, or search again for your user. Is there anyway to get that button back in the User Display?

Sloooooow Printing

edewald said...
I am almost certain that printing using our receipt printers will linger as our greatest challenge to providing service to our customers if it is not investigated correctly.Mainly, the printing on these machines is too slow, detrimentally slow.

I believe from working with the options, the issue is not the font size or layout. I think it's a processing situation. Perhaps there are too many "pixels" being printed as opposed to the old workflows printing settings. For example, maybe instead of processing 100 pixels per millimeter of printing, it is processing 500 pixels per millimeter of printing. The 500 pixels would result in greater detail, but slower processing and printing, much like the resolution of a picture. I realize my numeric figures are wrong, but I'm just trying to illustrate.

I hope this issue remains a priority until it is made efficient. It is currently very difficult to share information with our patrons, because our printers are taking an embarressing amount of time to print.

I'm very OPTIMISTIC about everything else!
June 14, 2007 7:40 PM

Change Hold Location items on POSH

I just discovered this by accident: I had a DVD on my POSH that I couldn't find, so I marked it missing. Later on, purely by accident, I found the item on the holds shelf. I checked Item Status and, indeed, it was marked missing, but the hold was for the same person, different branch. There was no indication on the POSH that the item would be anywhere except DVD-Adult. So, if you can't find an item on the POSH and it's last discharge date (shown on POSH) is recent, check for the item on your hold shelf under the same name that the new hold is for. When you are ready to mark the item missing, after you enter the barcode and hit "Mark Item Missing" you will get an override message saying that the item is on hold for so-and-so. Before overriding, check your holds shelf to see if the item is there under the name of so-and-so. It just might be there.

Printing check item status and bib records

Today we were experimenting with printing hold slips, bill payments, and patron information.

However, we ran into a problem trying to print the "Check Item Status" screen and any part of a bib record. Printing wasn't an option for "Check Item Status" and the program froze if we hit F12. The program would also freeze when trying to print the bib record. This could potentially be a problem when it comes to snags.

Anybody have any tips for printing in these two areas? Or is it just because of the test server that we cannot print in these two areas?


~Silverdale Staff

Placing holds - current title

When you look up an item, then try to place it on hold for a patron, the item will not carry forward as the "current item" unless you have clicked on "detailed display." So, to place a hold:
1. Look up the item.
2. Click on "detailed display" - don't just highlight it in the list.
3. Click "Place hold" wizard, enter patron's card #.
4. The item should show up as the "current item" and you don't have to search for it again.

OneYearSuspendedHolds?

How much havoc will this create on green-dot rotation books?

Detailed Display

When in Item Search, why is the detailed display type so faint you can barely read it?

interface

Personally I found the user interface to be more intuitive than the one we’re using now (loved it in red). However, I know that I lack the experience of many of my co-workers since I work primarily as a page. So maybe I just haven’t had the chance to get used to the current interface — but from a standpoint of design I’d say there’s much improvement.

Now I should temper this by saying that I haven’t worked with it yet — out on the "frontline". That will be the real test.

Suspended Holds

The following question came to me through email, I am sharing my answer.

A year? Why would someone want to suspend their holds that long?

Good question. Most patrons would not suspend a hold for that long, it would count as one of their fifty holds. This is just an option we are offering to patrons as a way to manage their hold list. In Dynix days I would often place a new title on hold that I did not need until fall (pruning). When patrons are reading a series they could place the entire series on hold then activate them as they read them. No lists to keep or holds to keep replacing.

Thank you for asking, I am going to post this question on the Sirsi Blog where other staff might want to contribute a comment.

Great class, exceptional trainers!

This workship set high standards...it was nicely paced, the trainers well practiced, lot's of practical handouts, plenty of questions answered and the breaks were well timed...all the way around it was a great class and fun to attend. The trainers knew their stuff, were confident and helpful. As far as practice is concerned, well, we'll get plenty of that! Wally

Learning Blog

I am a new LA (Port Orchard) learning the Old Way as well as the New Way.

Today we are learning about the blog; hence this post.

Ann Marshall

Sirsi

Thank you to everyone who helped with the training. I think I'll like this new system. :)

hold slips

I am eagerly waiting for the hold slips to be in bigger print so all we have to do is underline the names and shelve them. finally yeah!!!!!!!!

class on sirsi

This should be easy to use with experience.

Interesting

Thanks to Susan and Deanna for today's training session. k

Oh gosh a title

This class is awesome! I finally have a blog page.

Be careful what you write!

Ghost Rider