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241 results found

  1. Idea Description
    If system generated review files could appear in Global Update/Rapid Update Review File dropdown list without even downloading them to Create Lists first that would save so much time.

    It's a normal part of my daily workflow to upload records using Mobile Worklists or Data Exchange, copy them into Create Lists and manipulate the file in Global or Rapid Update. 

    Idea Value
    With the file appearing in the dropdown list in Global/Rapid update, the file can be manipulated as usual AND users wouldn't have to remember to empty the Review File (which was only created so it could…

    29 votes

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  2. Library staff would like to be able to see more details on holds that have been placed, including how the hold was placed (Sierra Desktop vs. SierraWeb vs. Web vs. mobile app, etc.) and who placed the hold (Sierra login if not the patron).

    Right now, it is not consistent how holds information is displayed.

    If you view holds w/in a patron record (holds tab), you don't see when the hold was placed or how they placed it. However, if you View Cancelled Holds, you see the date/time it was placed, along with the date/time it was cancelled, along with…

    28 votes

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  3. There SHOULD be an OpenAPI definition document available for Sierra's APIs via Swagger, but currently, there is not.

    The OpenAPI definition document (https://swagger.io/specification/) is a standardized format for describing the structure and behavior of an API. It is a machine-readable document, usually written in JSON or YAML, that provides a comprehensive blueprint of an API's endpoints, operations, input/output parameters, response formats, authentication methods, and other essential details.

    For comparison, here is an example for the Polaris API / Swagger install (on an iii training server):
    https://polaris-training.polarislibrary.com/PAPIService/swagger/v1/swagger.json

    Benefits of an OpenAPI Definition Document:

    * Standardization: Provides a consistent format
    28 votes

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  4. The ability to create custom print templates is an essential component of many parts of the system. LX Starter is a viable replacement for the templates used for notices but not for the printing of things like due slips, spine labels, and hold slips that must remain within the SDA to support daily workflows.

    Print templates are designed in a third party software called Jaspersoft Studio, but Sierra's documentation lists version 6.0 as being the last supported version of that software. However, that version is roughly 10 years old and the installer only seems to exist as an old link…

    28 votes

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  5. In the print/send orders function, it can be easy to accidentally upload an order to a vendor multiple times. As a means to mitigate this error I propose a two part feature.

    As a first step, the system should provide some indication when viewing the orders to ftp queue if an order has already been ftp'd once. I could see two methods for accomplishing this. 1) Add a column to the queue display for sent date, taking the most recent date present that has been appended to the ISBN pick field in a record from having been previously sent. 2)…

    25 votes

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  6. We are needing a way to update the inventory date field when an item is checked-in using the "checkin no patron" function.
    When an item that is already in "-" available status, and you check-in the item, there is no field in the item record that records the date of this transaction. We are wanting a checkbox on the screen in that function that when checked, will update the item inventory date so that we can then see the last time that item was scanned.
    This will help us with our inventory projects, as we do a full scan of…

    25 votes

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  7. Can we please have a function to merge bib records? For many reasons libraries end up with duplicate bib records. Currently the only way "merge" a bib is to manually transfer any attached records one by one. This is a cumbersome and inefficient workflow.
    The functionality could work similarly to the Merge duplicate patron record functionality.
    This would allow the user to select the source record bib number and the destination record bib number.

    Ideally, the function should:

    -Include the option to transfer any attached records.
    -Any item or bib level holds attached to the source bib should also be…

    25 votes

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  8. The "import records" within Create List was a game changer. But going a step further would be adding the ability to direct scan barcodes into a review file. This would save time in circumstances where you have only a few records you need to update.

    25 votes

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  9. Allow patrons to set a thaw date when freezing holds. Patrons often forget they froze holds and the hold lingers until it expires. Also, make this information available in the API for third party vendors, such as discovery layers.

    25 votes

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  10. Currently to find a list of all INN-Reach items located on a branches holdshelf, not just expired ones is a difficult task. The Received Too Long report only allows you to sort by Patron Home Library which may not correspond to their hold pickup location. A person would need to run this report and look up each INN-Reach item to see if they are actually at the patrons home library, or a different branch. For library systems with multiple branches this is a time consuming process.

    The Clear Expired Holds and Holdshelf Function only allows you to view expired INN-Reach…

    25 votes

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  11. Currently you can define fixed field data in a record template and have that data loaded into records via a load profile when using data exchange. Variable fields, however, are not available in this process. Make variable fields in a template available for inserting into records via the load profile and data exchange process.

    Idea Value
    Currently when we have a note or message that needs to be inserted into every record in a load we do it through global update after the load. If we could add this note or message to the template being used with the @dflt…

    25 votes

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  12. Circulation staff would like the ability to waive portions of individual fines/fees on a patron record.

    Sometimes staff forgets to backdate items in our book drop or the library is closed for some reason (weather, etc.). Staff wants to waive part of the late fee, but are forced to waive the full amount for the item, then go back and enter in a manual fee (or just waive completely).

    Idea Value

    Save staff time (no need to waive and then add a fine back in)

    Accuracy re: fines paid data (will be properly noted as fine vs. manual)

    Increase customer…

    24 votes

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  13. Idea Description

    Automatically clear the jarcache directory in the Sierra Desktop App installation files after an upgrade or provide an option in the SDA settings to enable this.

    Idea Value

    The jarcache directory is updated the first time the SDA is launched after a Sierra upgrade.  After several upgrades the directory becomes bloated with old .jar files. It makes sense for the jarcache directory to be cleared as part of the first launch of the SDA post upgrade. This will ensure a fresh set of jar files.

    23 votes

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  14. In Sierra 5.5 the circloanrule view was added to SierraDNA, providing SQL access to an abridged form of the loan rule table. A few of the fields missing from this view are particularly notable and their addition would greatly expand on the opportunities to utilize this view in queries:nameis_bookablemax number of auto renewalsamount of fine

    Idea Value
    SQL access to this fields would enable the construction of more detailed loan rule based queries. In particular being able to look at fine rates and their impact on checkouts would be of great value.

    23 votes

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  15. Even if III isn't able to provide a full-fledged editing interface for Load Profiles, add a mode in which we can view Load Profiles and Put PC to back them up. That's so much easier than having to setup FTP to the site, which our IT prohibited when I first gave up on it. This should apply to both m2btabs and m2bmaps.

    Idea Value
    Make it possible to backup load profiles on PC, which would enable much easier documentation of the variety of load tables and maps, and the load profile menu.

    23 votes

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  16. When you checkout an item whose item status is not '-' (AVAILABLE), the system takes special action depending on the item's STATUS value. For those item statuses that generate a system prompt, the library would like the option to determine whether there is a prompt. This would have a significant positive impact on checkout workflows.

    [I could place another "idea" for check-in prompts as well]

    Idea Value
    Our library assigns item statuses to items that generate a system prompt to clear the item's status at checkout (eg. missing, in processing, trace, and unavailable").

    I appreciate that libraries may have different…

    22 votes

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  17. In Sierra - SDA and Web - you can sort review files in Create Lists by the column header, i.e., file #, current records, max records, type, status, login and created.

    In the Admin App (BACK END MANAGEMENT > Review Files), the only columns displaying are file # (which doesn't appear to match the file # in the SDA/Sierra Web), number of records (= max records), current and name. Sorting by column is not an option.

    The display, labeling and function for managing review files should be consistent.

    Idea Value
    When managing review files in the admin app, particularly when…

    21 votes

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  18. Over a decade ago, III mentioned work being underway on "cascading holds" functionality. Meant for Millennium at the time, the feature seemed to disappear from their development plan due to staff transitions or some other reason, but I'd love to see it brought to fruition.

    The feature would give patrons the ability to place a hold on a series (of books or a multi-disc DVD set) & receive the items sequentially), making the request process much more convenient for them & giving libraries the ability to more effectively manage hold fulfillment.

    At the time, I was working in an environment…

    20 votes

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  19. It is currently an option to be able to set the default view of an item record across Sierra. However, it would be nice to be able to have a different default view set for the different functions in Sierra.

    For example:
    When in the Circulation function - I'd prefer the default view to be Hold.
    When in the Cataloging function - I'd prefer the default view to be Item.
    When in the Acquisitions function - I'd prefer the default view to be Order.

    I understand that I could just have multiple windows open and set the default view differently…

    20 votes

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  20. Idea: Create an additional notice type, Hold Pickup Reminder/Courtesy, that can be configured to send a reminder notice to patrons that they have a hold ready for pickup that is about to expire, similar to the courtesy notice for checked-out items.

    Relevance: When you place an order for pickup at most other businesses, you are sent a reminder email before the pickup deadline that the item is ready for pickup. Libraries would benefit from a similar option, especially those that use hold pickup lockers where there is limited space for holds. This way, if a patron decides they don't want…

    19 votes

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