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286 results found

  1. It is very easy to accidentally overwrite a review file in create lists. There should be a pop-up that asks if you want to overwrite the file so that you know you're doing it.

    13 votes

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  2. 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?

    13 votes

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  3. 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.

    13 votes

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  4. When you increase the font size to 20 for cataloging, it enlarges all the other information except the title line which remains the same. As a result, the title line appears smaller in comparison to the other information. It would be great is the title also displayed in the larger font.

    13 votes

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  5. Libraries are increasingly looking at ways to gather metrics on patrons without identifying them. Data on age, gender, race, or all manner of characteristics might be collected, depending on the library.

    I'd like to see Sierra be more accommodating in what it can collect & store on a patron's record, with the introduction of one or more additional PCODEs that can be used to store a significant amount of fixed field codes.

    For example, we partner with schools in our service area & offer not only educator cards, but do an upload of student data. Having schools within our service…

    12 votes

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  6. Many libraries offer mail delivery services for patrons who are unable to visit in person. Currently, when items become available, these patrons receive a standard "ready for pickup" notification, even though their materials will be mailed to them. This creates unnecessary confusion and may lead patrons to believe they need to come to the library.

    Providing the option to customize or opt out of specific notifications, such as "Ready for Pickup" alerts for patrons enrolled in mail delivery, would greatly improve clarity and enhance the user experience.

    12 votes

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  7. I was hoping to see the login used to receive the items listed in the Item Record History. If possible, it would be great to see both the user and the process.

    Event | user | PROCESS
    Created | user | MANUAL
    Created | user | RECEIVING
    Updated | user | GLOBAL UPDATE
    Updated | user | MANUAL

    12 votes

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  8. 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

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  9. Data Exchange should determine if a file being loaded is in UTF-8 or MARC-8 format before loading. If it is MARC-8, it should be converted to UTF-8 before loading.

    I want to be clear that I'm not talking about using the MARC bit that supposedly identifies if the character set is UTF-8. That cannot be trusted. I want a system like the character detect feature in MarcEdit, that will actually look at the characters in the incoming records and determine what character set they really are.

    There are still a lot of MARC-8 records out there, and it is not…

    12 votes

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  10. 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…

    12 votes

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  11. 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…

    13 votes

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  12. 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…

    12 votes

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  13. Rapid or global update to update all Order Status at once.

    12 votes

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  14. It would be very helpful to be able to print or email a Statement of Charges directly from a patron record (and have it formatted for 8-1/2 x 11 paper and mail-ready).

    Customers want a list of what they have out, and it looks very bad for the library to hand a customer a very, very long receipt when we are trying to save paper across the system.

    11 votes

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  15. 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

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  16. It would be great if the logic & momentum that introduced Send To - Rapid or Global Update in Sierra 6.3 & will soon allow the same shortcut to Delete Items could also be applied to Globally Purge Charges.

    The state of Ohio has a statute of limitations on debt collection that has us purging money owed longer than 5 years on a weekly basis. While this is bazonkers IMO, apparently it's also the law of the land, & it would make the process much more quick & convenient if we could select a file in Create List, navigate to…

    11 votes

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  17. Develop a utility to add new location codes to the so-called Branches table using a CSV file as input. Optionally permit updates (overlays) of existing location code entries so that the branch_code_num, name and/or is_public columns may be reassigned values in this way.

    Our library has very granular location codes which describe branch (or collection subset of a branch such as a display area), audience, format and genre, loosely speaking. This amounts to 220-250 location codes per branch (or collection subset). We currently have over 5,000 distinct location codes in our Sierra database, and every time a new branch is…

    11 votes

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  18. 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…

    11 votes

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  19. Problem:
    In the current version of the Sierra system, restricted or sensitive bibliographic records can only be suppressed from the public catalog but remain visible and accessible to catalogers within the system. This visibility creates the risk of accidental editing, publishing, or mishandling of these records, particularly:

    • Restricted Records: Some records are sensitive or confidential and should not be visible to all catalogers.
    • Records Under Review: Records undergoing auditing or verification need protection from edits until the review is completed.

    • Recommendation:
      Introduce a feature that allows the System Administrator or Cataloging Supervisor to hide specific bibliographic records within the Sierra…

    11 votes

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  20. Passkeys are both easier for people to use and safer than using passwords and PINs. Passkeys allows users to sign in to their account using the same mechanism they use to unlock their device - fingerprint, face recognition, etc. There are a couple of good introductions to the benefits of Passkeys over traditional username/password credentials here:
    https://fidoalliance.org/passkeys/
    https://developers.google.com/identity/passkeys

    11 votes

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