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ILS - Sierra

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134 results found

  1. 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.

    15 votes

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  2. 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

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  3. 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

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  4. 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.…

    9 votes

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  5. 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

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  6. 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

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  7. 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.

    13 votes

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  8. 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…

    5 votes

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  9. 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.

    57 votes

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  10. 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

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  11. As a consortium, we schedule several monthly jobs/tasks for all 78 library locations. Scheduler does not allow you to copy an existing job/task and apply it to another library. We had to manually add each job, even though the majority of the parameters were the same. (78 lib * 5 tasks each is a lot of manual work.) And/or we should be able to create a template to reuse.

    4 votes

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  12. The Transfer Paged Items function in Sierra will display one of two statuses when the report is run - Eligible or Ineligible. You then check or batch select the requests you want to transfer. But the results might mix eligible items wit ineligible items & there's no way to group them together to make the selection & transfer process easier.

    Adding the ability to sort by the Status column would allow us to select the entire batch of items eligible for transfer much more easily.

    1 vote

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  13. We would very much like to see some indication in our ILS (Sierra) that a patron has opted in to receive SMS messages.

    Even if SMS Alerts cannot be their own, unique notice type & not just supplement the patron's chosen notice preference of email or phone, the simple activation of a new field would be useful for frontline staff trying to troubleshoot during interactions with the patron.

    Even a date/time stamped Note field entry that is applied when Vega Interact SMS first authenticates against the patron's record during the opt-in process would be incredibly helpful, even more so if…

    5 votes

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  14. Make the Days closed table able to have a range of days. When we close a branch for maintenance we have to put in each day, it would be great to be able to put in a location code and then something like 5/1 - 5/25 or comma entries like the loan rule determiner table.

    21 votes

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  15. I am often having to clean up/delete files that have been saved/"printed" via FTS File Exchange to Data Exchange (send print files out). I sort by date, clear old ones, but some I am hesitant, may still be needed. It would help immensely if the system identified the login associated with this printed file. Then I'd know who to ask/who owns this file (and who isn't deleting their old files). The login column is used elsewhere in the system (Create Lists, etc.), so would ensure consistency.

    3 votes

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  16. Add additional macro modifiers in Sierra.

    The 6.3 update removed the Control + F1 modifier macro. Can we consider adding more modifiers such as left/right control, left/right alt, and left/right shift keys?

    Thank you!

    3 votes

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  17. We would like the ability to select multiple, or a range of entries in the Branches table & be able to edit them in batch. For example, making a list of newly available location codes public, or assigning them a Circulation Address Number would be much easier if we could update dozens of entries at once, rather than one at a time.

    It would be nice to see this introduced across multiple tables.

    5 votes

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  18. After spending over an hour adding new print templates to every login for a new library, I am once again reminded of the inefficiency of the current methodology for assigning print templates to logins.

    Idea: Print Templates can be assigned like Permissions for Sierra. They would have their own sidebar, and logins could be added to each print template. That way, it only takes a couple of clicks to add print templates in mass to several logins, rather than clicking into the login, then settings, then print templates, then scrolling to find each print template and set the prompt. This…

    26 votes

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  19. With the new patron checkout limit table, we lost the ability to group itypes into a category if we want to use the other limits like library location. We need to be able to either group itypes in the new patron checkout limit table, or use a combination of the old table and the new. We really need the new library location limiter in the new table so that our ptype 30 can only checkout items at our offsite kiosk and no other library, but we now lose the ability to still group our itypes into categories. Our itypes are…

    30 votes

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  20. Similar to the YTDCIRC tracker on item records in Sierra, add a tracker for YTD renewals as well. This would allow collection development staff to quickly assess a more accurate snapshot of an item's usage.

    16 votes

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