117 results found
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Improve patron address parser to better map data to the patron_record_address table
Sierra has a mechanism for parsing the free text entered into patron address fields in the client into separate fields for elements such as city/state/postal code that exist in the patronrecordaddress table. Those distinct fields may then be searched in create lists or utilized in SQL queries. However, the algorithm used to parse out those data points is extremely rigid in terms of the data it expects to see and is quite prone to mapping data incorrectly if an address entered into a patron record does not conform to those guidelines.
For one common example in our system…
12 votes -
Add Character Map to Patron Record Creation/Editing Menu
Despite the constant threats to our funding & the fact that some seem to treat the notion of DEI as offensive, we continue to want our library to be seen as a welcoming & inclusive environment for our patrons.
We would like to be able to extend this to how their name is represented in Sierra & on notices/when seen in the catalog. We currently have a sort of crib sheet for staff to use to insert diacritic characters into patron names as needed, but think it would be helpful if they didn't have to navigate away from Sierra when…
6 votes -
Add "hold status" and "item status" limits to high-demand holds function
The high demand hold report is a powerful tool that sums system items and system holds.
Adding a "hold status" and "item status" pre-search limiters would vastly improve the use of this report
Why add these limits?
There is no Sierra product (including Decision Center) that allows users to deselect frozen holds from “total holds” count.
This report counts "system holds" as any hold with any status (including item holds that will be filled by "in transit" item)
This report counts "system items" as all items (including billed and missing) so there is no way to know how many items…
5 votes -
Sort ready for pickup holds by expiry date in checkout function
Staff assisting any customers who cannot pickup all their ready holds at once, would benefit from seeing and sorting the expiry date of holds in the patron's holds list. This will assist with preventing their holds from expiring and being placed again.
2 votes -
When placing hold in Search/Holds function, after typing patron's name, include patron i (info) button to help verify account
PROBLEM: When I search for an item via F3 Search/Holds, after finding the desired item and clicking to place the hold, a popup screen appears called "Search for patron." If I don't have the library card number but instead type in a name, and there is only one matching result, there is no way to preview whether that patron account is truly the correct one or not. Plus, for libraries with multiple branches, it is helpful to see the preferred pickup location.
SUGGESTED SOLUTION: in other areas/screens, there is a small i (info) button that one can hover their cursor…
3 votes -
Revamp the Hours Open Parameter
The Situation: Our library's room checkout suddenly shorted to a hard limit of 6:00pm. I discovered that last year's spring break hours were listed in the Hours Open table and last year spring break occurred earlier in March.
The Problem: Entries in the Hours Open table do not include the year. If the year was included, hour checkout issue wouldn't have been an issue.
Solution #1: Add the ability to include the year to Hours Open table. Default to the current year but have the ability to change the year.
Solution #2: Revamp the Hours Open table. Modifying the Hours…
4 votesThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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Refund Functionality in Sierra
Currently, Sierra does not provide built-in functionality for processing or tracking refunds. While the system records partial payments that result in credits (displayed as negative fines) and waivers applied by staff (visible in Fines Paid), there is no equivalent workflow or tracking for refunds.
We request the addition of a refund tracking feature within the patron record, ensuring that staff can see when a refund has been issued. Specifically, we propose:
A clear refund indicator in the patron record.
A display of refund amounts including payment method in the Fines tab, similar to how fines and waivers are shown.
An…6 votesThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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Options Group setting for showing Last Patron
In a consortial setting we have some libraries that would like to avoid showing last patron data for a item in an attempt to avoid retaining data that could be used to breach a patron's privacy.
9 votesThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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Batch Shuffle Hold Queue
We would like the ability for authorized/admin level staff to collectively shuffle multiple holds, so those at the bottom of the queue can be selected & moved to the top. Their order at the top wouldn't necessarily matter, as long as the group were all advanced in the queue.
Use cases: item recalls, where tech services staff have to place dozens of holds on items, all of which wind up at the bottom of the queue & need to be shuffled individually/manually.
Book club: we had a situation recently where staff at one branch cancelled holds on book club items…
1 voteThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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Create a different template for repeat bills
Add the ability to create a template specifically for repeated bills. This would allow us to send a different message for a reminder bill than what we sent in the original bill. This is would be similar to how we are able to create different templates for 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc Overdue Notices.
19 votes -
Add eReceipts as an option in LX Starter.
The only option for eReceipts is plain text. It would be a fantastic feature to customers to be able to build a nice HTML email for them.
5 votes -
Include periodical issue information in overdue notices
We had a patron complaint that the email notices do not include magazine issue information, only the main title. The notices also do not include item barcodes, so there isn't any data to match against a specific issue. Could information from the Issue field in the item record be displayed in overdue notices?
12 votesThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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Notice scheduling
Currently, the notices for Current Checked Out Items allows for daily or weekly scheduling, but it would be handy to have the ability to set this at a longer time frame such as monthly, quarterly or by semester as most of our materials check out for much longer periods of time (16 weeks or longer generally), and some users find the weekly reminders tedious.
Either the option to set the automated notices to a longer time period, or the ability for patrons to choose a longer reminder period (opt in to weekly, monthly, etc notice) would be very helpful.
4 votes -
Send To - Delete Records
Sierra 6.3 saw the introduction of a feature that allows users to select a file in Create Lists mode & then, from the Tools - Send To menu, direct that file to either Global or Rapid Update, eliminating the need to navigate to those functions & then find & select that file.
I would like to see the same introduced, but for the Delete Records function.
Doing so would similarly streamline the workflow when doing record purges in Sierra.
7 votesThis enhancement is planned for Sierra 6.5.
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Allow changing of hard coded "collection agency" wording
We would like to change the wording on our bills to patrons for long-overdue items from “COLECTIONS AGENCY REPORT CHARGE” to “MATERIALS RECOVERY SERVICE CHARGE,” but this is hard-coded. We use Unique Management, who describes themselves as a materials recovery service, and we try hard to always use that wording and not say "collection" or "collection agency." Some patrons have become alarmed by seeing "collection agency" on our bills for long-overdue items and in their accounts.
8 votesThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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Add "max number of overdue items" column to patron block table
Many libraries have eliminated fines and they would like alternative ways to provide an incentive for patrons to return items. We would like the option to block patron circulation based on a Library determined number of overdue items. This rule could be added to the Patron Block table so that libraries could customize rule as necessary.
Idea Value: This new setting would provide an incentive for Customers to return their items.
Idea Value: We don't want to restrict the number of items a Customer can sign out, but want to restrict borrowing after a specific number of overdues.
Idea Value:…
18 votesThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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Add an option to restrict check-in to owning location
For some fragile items that we don't want to put in transit (e.g. telescopes, vinyl records), we want to be able to limit check-ins to the owning location. We can communicate these limits to patrons on our website and through signage or labels, but we'd like there to be an option within Sierra to generate a pop-up (with an option to override) so staff are alerted to tell the patron they have to bring the item back to another location.
7 votesThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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Integrate with IMMS for placement information
Intergrating Sierra with IMMS, Sierra does not show the placement information from IMMS on item records. In particular, when the items are stored in chaotic placements such as hold shelves. This means that looking for an item on a hold shelf or other chaotic type location in Sierra, the user has to copy the barcode from Sierra to IMMS to pin point it's known location.
With further integration, it would be great to see placement information in Sierra to assist staff with helping customers find items on hold shelves in particular.
11 votesWe will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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New function to scan items into Sierra to change an Item status to "in transit"
Our branches select which items should be sent to another library for stock rotation. Before items are sent to another branch, staff change the item statuses to "in transit". For various reasons, the branch staff cannot use Mobile Worklist to batch change these items to "in transit". The staff use Circa, but would prefer a Sierra integrated solution.
Why integrate this solution in Sierra:
Circa is aging out. We cannot limit Circa permissions to only change Item status to "in transit".
We want to use the "item status update date" to track when items last moved to a branch.
We…
1 voteThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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Need for "Check-in: Do not fulfill holds" function to only apply to current check-in
Libraries have the option to use "Check-in: Do not fulfill holds". This checks in the item without without fulfilling any holds that are in the hold queue for that item. This item will never appear on a Title or Item paging list unless the item is checked in AGAIN. To be eligible to appear on a Title or Item paging list the item must be checked in a second time.
We need an option to release that restriction. The hold should be unfulfilled only during that specific check-in.
Reasons for this:
1) Our transportation system may be stopped due to…
6 votesThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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