124 results found
-
Make Additional PCODEs Available
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…
3 votes -
Allow users to freeze a hold even when an available item could be used to fill that hold.
If a library's circulation or OPAC rules allow a customer to place a bib or item hold, the customer should also be able to freeze that hold at any time. This functionality is available in Polaris, but not Sierra.
Currently, customers cannot freeze a bib-level hold if there is an available item that could fill the request. This prevents customers from managing their holds the way they want. In many cases, they do not know an appropriate "Not Needed Before" date, but they do know that they are not ready to receive the item immediately.
Allowing holds to be frozen…
6 votes -
Add Unique Control Numbers to Predefined Charges Table
Please add a unique, control number (ID) to predefined charges table in Sierra. This control number should be exported in the Fines Paid report. Currently, libraries waste significant administrative hours manually reconciling monthly, quarterly, and annual revenue because edited descriptions break automated data sorting (like Excel Pivot Tables).
The Problem:
To balance monthly revenue, libraries must sum payments by the type of predefined charge (e.g., photocopy charges, replacement cards, damaged books, donations).
Because Sierra lacks a dedicated, un-editable control number for predefined charges, we are forced to hardcode budget codes directly into the text description fields:
• 3323 Library Mug…2 votes -
Add index selector and pre-search limits to Check Out (Circulation Desk) Function
This idea is expanding on one originally proposed here by Catherine Kelso (https://ideas.iii.com/forums/951745/suggestions/47046682).
It would be helpful to more easily search on patron record indexes besides barcode when you need to (name, record number, e-mail, etc...) and for those sorts of searches it would be helpful to limit the search preemptively as you can in other search functions throughout Sierra. Say you want to search for the "Smith, John" with a teen ptype and a home library of anytown branch.
The current default search of entering a barcode should remain, it should just be simple to toggle to…
6 votes -
Generate Statement of Charges directly within patron record
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.
3 votes -
check in claimed returned workflow - item location should reflect where item was made claimed returned
For libraries with floating collections, the branch where an item is marked Claimed Returned may not be reflected in the item record. This is because none of the three Claimed Returned options update the item's location.
Example
An item is checked out from Location A.
The patron reports returning it to Location B, and staff mark it Claimed Returned at Location B.
The item record still shows Location A.When marking an item Claimed Returned, staff have three options:
1.Add a Claimed Returned note to both the item and patron records.
2.Remove the checkout link between the patron and the…6 votes -
New Max Owed amount for renewals only within the patron blocks table
Add a new Max Owed for Renewals within the Patron Blocks table that is separate from the Max Owed dollar amount/threshold. Sometimes patrons accrue more fines when renewing overdue materials via the online catalog or app on their own. Added charges from renewals online may also put them over the set threshold preventing them from renewing additional materials. The only way around the situation is for patrons to work with staff and the staff override the renewal using Sierra. When patrons use the "Renew All" feature in our discovery catalog and encounter the above issue, they are no longer able…
2 votes -
Multiple Notice Preferences
Allow patrons to choose one or more notice preferences. A patron would receive the same notice through any and all channels they want, allowing the library to better serve a variety of needs and lifestyles.
3 votes -
Text/SMS Notice Preference
Please integrate text messaging/SMS as a notice delivery method just like print, phone, and email. Some patrons want texts and no other method. Even if patrons must complete a step outside Sierra, staff should be able to see and choose text as a preference. This would make things more consistent and easy for both patrons and frontline staff.
We had planned to switch to Vega Interact SMS but discovered that it is intrinsically linked to email notices, limiting its ability. We would love to have SMS as a real notice option in Sierra.
7 votes -
Re-Page Item Level Holds
Our library would like to have pages for item-level holds repeat until they are filled. Currently, the only way to achieve this is by checking the "Do Not Clear" checkbox when running the item paging list each day. However, staff have to remember to toggle this setting every time they run the list, and if they forget, all previous pages will be lost and can't be restored the next time they run the list.
We'd like a way to have item pages persist by default.
10 votes -
Sorting Searches in Patron Indexes
When creating a new customer record from scratch, or when updating & finalizing those submitted through our online application, we have staff perform some checks to prevent duplicate records.
They'll begin by searching the Name index to make sure that there's no pre-existing record for the same name. Then as backup, they'll try searching by birth date or phone number.
However, when you search by birth date or phone number, the results do not come back in alphabetical order, making things a bit harder than they should be for frontline staff. See example image where the search for the DOB…
2 votes -
Sorting Search/Holds Queries
Staff would like to see the ability to sort results retrieved from queries performed in Sierra's Search/Holds mode.
Say for example they do a keyword search for Star Wars at our Forest Park branch. 124 items are found. The results are displayed alphabetically by default. But if the staff member wants to quickly sort by DVDs, they can't even click on the Format column heading, as it exists currently.
While they can run multiple limits to narrow down the results by format, language, shelving location, publication date, etc., they might just as equally be inclined to SORT the entire list…
3 votes -
Send patron expiration date in SIP2 response
Our library uses automated lockers to lend laptops to patrons for in-house use. We'd like to block patrons whose cards have expired from borrowing until they come to the desk and renew, while still allowing borrowing for patrons blocked for overdues since these items won't be leaving the library. Our vendor is able to accommodate this for other customers because their ILS sends the patron expiration date in the BW field in the 24 response. Sierra's response only indicates the block in the first position of the patron status element, which includes blocks for all reasons, not just account expiration.…
8 votes -
Two First Names, No Last Name
We periodically have customers that have two first names, but not a last name. When hold slips are printed, Sierra interprets the second name as their last name, but this is not the case. We would like to just have their two first names show up on the holds slip, if possible. We have done a workaround for now to ensure that the name they use is the second name listed so that their holds slips show the first name they use, but it would be better to have both names printed.
3 votes -
Add Patron Type Category Grouping to the New Patron Checkout Limits Table
With the new Patron Checkout Limits table, we have lost the ability to group patron types (ptypes) into a category when configuring checkout limits that also use criteria such as Library Location or Item Location.
Currently, a separate row must be created for every individual ptype, which significantly increases setup and maintenance effort. In environments with many patron types that share the same checkout limits, this results in a large number of duplicate entries.
We would like the ability to define and use Patron Type Categories/Groups within the new Patron Checkout Limits table, similar to the functionality available in previous…
23 votes -
Allow Patrons to Opt-out of Certain Circulation Notices
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.
11 votes -
Separate Summary View properties for each search function
When a Sierra SDA login is created the system utilizes individual summary view properties for the various search functions. By default in cataloging if you open up the summary view of a record you see item records, in search/holds you see holds, in place orders you see orders and in serials checkin you see checkin records.
However, when the staffer changes that setting from the record view properties menu (say to change this to view all), it can impact all 4 search functions. It would be better to split this review view summary option out so it may be set…
4 votes -
Ability to send checkout receipts
It would be helpful if LX Starter allowed for patrons to receive checkout receipts via email. Sierra currently supports customizable checkout receipt emails using Due Slip print templates, but these are difficult to work with.
55 votes -
Make Selecting 'All' Genuinely Purposeful
From time to time we'll see support tickets where, because of some glitch in the discovery layer, a patron has managed to place upwards of 60 bib level holds on a title.
The holds need to be cancelled in Sierra, so you select 'All.' However, doing so, you still have to address each item individually with a series of additional pop-ups. Over & over again.
This is just one example where I'd like to see selecting 'All' allow for making a single, batch change on the selected records.
4 votes -
Customize layout & Field Visibility in patron View/Edit Record
In the Patron View/Edit Record window the group of fields at the top cannot be arranged in any way but the default. It would be nice to be able to arrange these fields in a way that meets the needs and use of our staff. For example, I would like to be able to put all the editable fields in the first 1-2 columns, such as exp date, language, notice preference, patron type. Then all the uneditable fields (total checkouts, total renewals, circ active...) to the right of these columns. It would be nice to have a sort of drag…
2 votes
- Don't see your idea?