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ILS - Polaris

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322 results found

  1. Some libraries use tools like Deep Freeze (that discard any changes to previous work sessions) or manage settings so that browser caches are cleared when closed or when the user logs out. Since Leap Offline stores data transactions in the browser cache, anything that is not uploaded to the database will be lost in such occurrences.

    40 votes

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  2. The item price field allows for high values to be entered into it. Which means things like item barcodes or ISBN numbers can set the price of an item in the billions. This incorrect price can then appear in places like "you saved" receipts for patrons and on other reports that are then difficult to correct.

    In addition to offering the ability to set the maximum price, I think this feature should be enabled by default with a price of $9,999 and then a record set should be created at upgrade time for staff to review for any titles that…

    28 votes

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  3. Picklist is great - unless you are a large location that needs to distribute the list among several staff and do not have devices for everyone. Currently in staff client, we can sort multiple columns - example, by Collection then by call number within collection, then hide unwanted columns, print and distribute pages among multiple staff. You can only sort 1x in Leap and then there is a lot of white space, etc. which results in paper waste. It would be great to have the ability to fine sort, hide columns and headers when printing Picklist. Without that, staff will…

    28 votes

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  4. I'm specifically looking for a great integration between the cataloging tool BTCat and Polaris.

    Libraries use tools like BTCat and Skyriver to search for new bib records and update/edit existing records. After making changes, the records currently have to be exported from the cataloging software, then imported into Polaris. These tools have the ability to "push" records into other ILS systems, skipping the need for a manual export/import of records. Adding this functionality would aid libraries in transitioning away from the Polaris desktop client (as bibliographic editing in Leap is a tedious process, at best).

    20 votes

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  5. We would like the ability to match POLIs with on-order item templates on more data points, specifically shelf location, statistical code, and call number prefix. I expect that this means there would need to be extra fields to enter the POLI, and that would work out fine if that enabled the item records to be created accurately.

    Our libraries use different shelf locations, statistical codes, and call number prefixes for items within the same collection. When placing an order, items are created from the on-order item templates, and only match on 3 data points: assigned branch, collection, and material type.…

    34 votes

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  6. We would like to have to option for claims returned items to automatically go to Lost after a set time and adding bill to the patron.

    Idea Value
    This would take out the manual process of chasing up items that have been put to claims returned/never had.

    10 votes

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  7. Patron records have 5 UDFs and 10 Custom Data Fields – item records have none of these. As a result, many libraries end up doing some weird stuff with the Name of Piece and Temporary Shelf Location. This idea would add 10 or so custom item record fields that libraries can choose how they would like to use.

    Ideally, fields would be capable of multiple data types including freetext, Boolean, date, or numeric. In a perfect world, it could also support a drop down list like the UDFs! The fields would also be searchable in the find tool, just like…

    17 votes

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  8. We had a staff member let us know that they had a credit on their personal account and they found the process of dealing with the credit to be a little frustrating. The credit did not automatically apply to their other fees and there was no way for them (as a patron) to tell the system to apply the credits. The only option was for the patron to get in touch with staff to have this taken care of. This would give the patrons more flexibility for managing their account.

    It might be nice to provide more options for how…

    5 votes

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  9. Polaris' claim return function is great for locally-owned items but is problematic with INN-Reach. We are constantly reminding staff NOT to use Claim Return for INN-Reach items because it can break transaction links but they continue to do so. If system admin allowed us to exclude our INN-Reach and WorldCat material types from Claim Return and Claim Missing Part functions, it would reduce errors significantly.

    11 votes

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  10. We often have branches close unexpectedly due to facilities issues, when this happens we need to move the Held items from that branch to another branch. Currently there is no way to bulk change the pickup location between branches. This function would be very helpful for us.

    24 votes

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  11. Currently, customers' first, middle and last names display identically in Leap patron accounts. This can make identifying the last name difficult which impacts staff ability to properly address customers and to accurately retrieve holds for customers with more than 1 last name. We propose bolding or in some other way making more distinctive in the patron account header any values in coming from the last name field in patron registration. Currently, we often have to click into patron registration in order to determine which name(s) are actually in the last name field when retrieving holds, etc. Making this change would…

    16 votes

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  12. Currently, the PAC override password, available in Profiles -> PAC -> Patron Access Options -> Log In tab, is a static, set and forget password. Often, that password is indeed forgotten because it's not used all that often. However, when it is used, there's a good reason for it. I believe this remains useful functionality, but I also believe that a static, universal patron access password is a security issue for patrons and staff alike.

    My idea is that, if an ILS Admin needs a PAC override password to troubleshoot an issue on the PAC or within Vega, then one…

    9 votes

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  13. There are multiple reports in the "canned reports" available through the Staff Client and through SSRS that deliver incomplete and/or absolutely wrong data.

    For instance, the Patron Register report only looks at extant patrons in the Polaris database right now. That means that, if a library had a patron purge, those patrons are gone. If one runs a Patron Register report after the purge for a time before the purge, the registration numbers will absolutely be wrong. This would also be true where patron merges or general cleanups have taken place.

    Another report, Circulation by Postal Code has a logic…

    33 votes

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  14. Imagine the possibilities if we could automate the process of bulk changes to bib records as part of an import profile.

    Other ILS systems offer robust manipulation of bib records upon import, but this is missing from Polaris.

    By allowing bib bulk changes to be stored in templates, just like item bulk changes, we can streamline the process and save valuable time. Imagine having a set of predefined steps for importing bibs from specific sources or of certain record types. It would ensure consistency and accuracy, eliminating manual effort.

    1. Allow bib bulk changes to be stored in templates like item…
    27 votes

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  15. Unless I'm doing something wrong, when I am in a PO and go into a PO LINE to check ISBN, discount or whatever, I hit save and go back and it takes me to the top of the PO. Some of my PO's are really big so I'd like to know how to just go back to the spot I was at before instead of the top.

    27 votes

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  16. We would like to be able to edit the default registration/renewal period based on the patron code rather than just based on the branch. We have certain patron codes that should renew for 1 year instead of our default of 3 years, but they don't have a unique branch in Polaris so we have to change the registration period each time we create a patron, and we have to change the renewal period each time we renew them, leaving more room for error if those steps are missed.

    25 votes

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  17. We would like to be able to create status codes. We have renamed some we don't use to make them useful, but that is limited. We use in-repair for multiple problems and it would be better for our staff to be more specific. For example, it is used for items with bedbug damage that will definitely be leaving us and it would be good to know that at a glance, as opposed to DVDs that need to be resurfaced and are also in-repair along with books with missing pages or water damage, etc. So, instead of just the one status,…

    25 votes

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  18. Currently if we need to change the branch we're logged into in Leap we need to sign-out and log back in. This can be disruptive if we have records opening we're working with that would then need to be re-opened. It would be handy if there was a way to do this without signing-out and back in, in a way that would allow records to remain open.

    Admittedly I don't think this would be helpful for the majority of staff, likely more administrative roles that need to perform activity across a range of branches. But it would be a nice…

    34 votes

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  19. It would be very useful for patron notes to automatically include date and time - this would allow us to track "updates" to progressive situations with patrons that multiple staff are addressing.

    81 votes

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  20. Allow users to sort checked-in items by clicking on the column headers on the check-in screen in Leap.

    Library staff double check their work by counting the number of items on their check-in cart and comparing it with the item count displayed on the check-in screen. If there is a discrepancy, being able to sort the columns would help staff more easily find items that didn't get checked in properly.

    Also, please add a call number column to the check-in screen.

    19 votes

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