62 results found
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Create user permissions/roles for limiting SierraDNA access
We have had a number of instances recently in which a vendor has requested SQL access in order for us to utilize there services. We are hesitant to allow for that (and have policies against it) due to the quantity of secure data that would also provide access to.
What we need is a way to provide lesser SQL access to particular users to allow them to tap into only the relevant tables (bibs & items for some. Circ_trans and patrons for others).
Beyond the vendor scenario it would also be fantastic to provide limited access to more of our…
18 votes -
Create expanded RestAPI endpoint for patrons/validate that exposes a limited set of patron fields
We have many vendors who have a need to check data in a few patron record fields as part of their authentication process. Fields such a ptype, home library, the expiration date, etc...are necessary to confirm that a patron is affiliated with the institution subscribing to that vendor's resource and that their card remains in good standing are necessary to provide. However, doing so currently requires providing the patron read permission, which also exposes a variety of additional sensitive data that these vendors should not have access to for their needs (PII, checkouts, fines, reading history, etc.)
The lesser patron…
15 votes -
Provide full Branches table and full Location code list via Sierra REST API
Today, Sierra’s REST API does not provide a reliable way to retrieve a complete list of location codes (and their names/labels) as defined in Sierra’s Branches table (SDA: Admin > Parameters > General > Branches). This creates friction for discovery-layer implementations and other third-party integrations that require an authoritative, up-to-date list of locations.
Innovative Support shared that “it’s not possible to get a list of all locations using the REST API,” and that the closest option is the branches endpoint, which only returns locations that are linked to entries in the Branch Address table, not a full representation of the…
43 votes -
Add ability to query empty review files to the reviewFiles API
This idea is a bit of an addendum to Bob Gaydos' idea to create an endpoint that allows writing to review files (https://ideas.iii.com/forums/951745-ils-sierra/suggestions/50308716).
The current API cannot provide a list of empty files. That information would be incredibly helpful in conjunction with the other idea so that you may programmatically identify an available review file of sufficient size for your needs. Beyond that, it may be useful to use the API to write an alert mechanism for when your system may be running low on available files.
It is possible to explore this information via SQL, but the…
9 votes -
Export RFID Pad Server Settings
At my library, the installation of RFID equipment & the entry of the required IPs in Sierra are handled by two different departments. Typically, I'll see a ticket that a new PC/RFID pad has been added & receive a request that the IP be added to Sierra.
In addition to the RFID Pad Server Settings table in Sierra, we maintain a separate spreadsheet of assigned IPs, machine names & information on when & whom the request came from to add or replace them.
While adding & replacing more than 20 IPs this morning, it dawned on me that this process,…
4 votes -
REST API-compatible Time to Holdshelf/Time to Reshelve
Our library has deprecated the classic WebPAC in favor of a REST API-based custom discovery layer, but the Time to Holdshelf/Time to Reshelve temporary status message we've configured isn't included in the API response. It would reduce frustration for staff and patrons if we could implement a delay before items appear to be on the shelf when patrons check our website or mobile app.
Please add the temporary status to the REST API response.
7 votes -
Sierra Patron Address info updates
The Sierra Patron Record is able to be communicated to Vega Discover in such a way that differentiates the following fields:
Street Address Line 1
Street Address Line 2
City
State
Postal Code
Country
Discover does not parse Sierra addresses correctly.
1) New Discover registrations do not parse correctly in Sierra.
2) Existing registrations in Sierra do not parse correctly in Discover.This was the comment by Innovative Staff on this topic:
Discover does have difficulty with parsing Sierra patron addresses, and this is not changing in the July release. For libraries who do allow patrons to edit their own…6 votes -
Restart a Range of Terminals
Sierra 6.5 saw the move of the process for restarting terminal sessions from our text-based management tool to the Sierra Admin App. While I'm chuffed enough about that to be writing this enhancement idea on Thanksgiving Day (and to be using the word chuffed), I'm hoping further development can make it even better & restore some of the functionality from the admin app that isn't available in this updated interface.
Specifically, I'd like to be able to restart a range of terminals (for example, all staff sessions), mirroring the Restart Multiple Terminals option in text-based. Yes, we can check a…
26 votes -
Make Third Party API Transactions More Apparent in Sierra
Some time ago, an idea was submitted to enhance the Sierra API to provide statistical group information, so that circulation transactions in third party applications could be credited to a statistical group other than 0 None.
The idea won the "Let's Connect Sierra API Challenge."
With the release of Sierra 6.0, it then became possible to include a new optional data parameter to specify the statistical group that should be used when recording a transaction performed using the APIs.
My library was excited to hear this, as we'd recently begun using the self-checkout feature in the Bibliocommons' app not long…
6 votes -
Create an API endpoint that delivers language translations to Vega
We maintain English and Te Reo Māori names for library branches and item locations in the Sierra branches table. Making these available through an API would allow Vega to display the correct names automatically, and provide a consistent bilingual experience. This would also remove the need to manage translations separately in Vega Admin.
5 votes -
include PostgreSQL scheduled patches and upgrades in roadmap and upgrade documents
Sierra 6.6 includes an upgrade to PostgreSQL 16. Innovative should be more specific and tell us that we are upgrading to PostgreSQL 16.10. PostGres 16.14 was the last version in this cycle.
Does Innovative upgrade PostgreSQL with each Sierra upgrade? Will they patch between upgrades with any security fixes?
Libraries need to know Innovative's plans PostgreSQL development, and I am unsure if they are always included in the upgrade notes.
5 votes -
Add Days Closed Table to SierraDNA
We are interested in being able to tap into the Days closed table programmatically but it is inaccessible to both the APIs and SQL, and doesn't even have a native export feature (though you can copy and paste it easily enough).
Creating a SQL View for it seems the most straightforward solution, just provide access to the existing table, along with row numbers to preserve the ordering.
12 votes -
Add timestamp to "Suspended" field in user account
Problem:
Our practice is to suspend user accounts when a staff member leaves, rather than delete it, so that we can copy the necessary permissions when a replacement is hired. We then try to delete the accounts after 6 months, but there is currently no method within the Admin App or SQL that tells you when a login was suspended, so we have to track that manually.
Value: adding a timestamp to this field would enable us to more seamlessly manage user accounts for our large consortia and ensure that unnecessary logins are periodically purged.
11 votes -
Access to SAML logs
When using the LDAP authentication option, it was useful to be able to see the authentication logs to diagnose login issues. After switching to SAML authentication, access to the SAML logs is only available to Innovative support.
I propose granting customers access to the CAS Apereo application logs so that we can see SAML authentication issues. These logs may not be as detailed as the LDAP ones since the authentication is happening at the IdP but they might provide clues to further investigate authentication issues.
2 votes -
More universal accessibility features
Improving universal accessibility features for users/employees with diverse accessibility needs.
For example, for employees with visual impairments :
- High contrast mode and adjustable font size. Currently, users can change text color and size, but increasing the font size often causes content to be hidden, as the window does not automatically adjust. Users must manually resize the window each time. A responsive layout would greatly improve usability.Other potential improvements could include : screen reader compatibility, customizable keyboard navigation, text descriptions for icons, etc.
Even just the high contrast would help a lot. Additionally, it would be helpful if users…
26 votes -
Add an API endpoint which permits writing to review files
Currently, when a query is beyond the capabilities of Create Lists, it is usually possible to use a SQL query with Python to produce a report. Such a report might list record numbers of bibs/items/orders/patrons/etc which bear further examination and correction by library staff, but staff must copy record numbers or barcodes in the report and paste them into the SDA to pull up the records in question. It would be much easier if an API endpoint permitted those record numbers to be written to a review file so staff can go through them one-by-one in the SDA.
Another use…
13 votes -
Create RestAPI with a Patron Validate role that updates the “last circ activity date” in patron record
Our library wants to provide the patron validate role to our vendors.
But, we do not want to give the vendors any read or write roles.We do this now with several vendors, but the authentication does not update the "last circ activity" field in the patron record.
Is it possible to add a new permission that would only allow authentication but update the "last circ activity" field in the patron record.
Why add this feature?
Our library purges patron that don't circulate for X number of years. We don't want to delete patrons that are actively using our eVendor…28 votesSelected for the Sierra 6.7 release by MEEP enhancement process
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Translate item status and OPAC message codes in Summary View
Currently, it's possible to have item status and OPAC message codes displayed in the summary view. However, we'd like the option to display the full names of these statuses/messages rather than the codes to make things clearer for staff who don't have them memorized.
6 votes -
Add a Stat Group When Creating a Patron API Key for Vendors
This proposal suggests enhancing the Patron API key creation process by incorporating a Stat Group field, allowing staff to categorize API keys by vendor and track their usage using existing reporting tools. The proposed enhancement would modify the API key creation window to include an optional Stat Group field towards the bottom. If left blank, the default stat group (zero) would be assigned, maintaining current functionality. This change addresses a common issue where vendors do not implement the stat group provided by the library, often resulting in API-driven transactions being categorized under stat group 0. This leads to inaccurate or…
27 votesThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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Create a GET API endpoint for circulation transactions
This idea came from a discussion at the IUG2025 Sierra Reporting Forum.
It would be very useful to provide an endpoint to assist with gathering/generating the sorts of circulations statistics that would normally require SQL access. However, the all or nothing nature of SQL permissions is a barrier that prevents many users from being permitted to access those features. With the API on the other hand a user could be limited to simply having read access to an endpoint such as this, along with likely the bib and item endpoints so that they may craft reports without also having to…
26 votesThe product team will review this idea for consideration for a future release.
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