157 results found
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Bib level holds should be allowed on records with only non-viable items if there is an order record attached
Bib level holds should be allowed on bibs with non-viable items if there is an active order record attached. Currently, this is not possible, and there is no way to configure for this. There are a number of ways to configure the (many) places dictating holds and what can be held. But at the moment, none of them allow the hold (without a staff override) if the only remaining item is non-viable (missing, lost, etc.)
Idea Value
It doesn't make sense to me that holds are allowed on bib records with only an order record, but as soon as that…14 votes -
Sierra user tracking
Provide data for tracking Sierra users (library staff). For example, log sign on and sign out dates and times. Perhaps add a "Last signed in" date field to the user record. Other data points might also be worthy of recording, such as types of records accessed.
Idea Value
Given that libraries handle possibly sensitive personal data, system users who have access to such data should be trackable. Currently, it's not even possible to find when the last time a user has signed on to the system.29 votesFUTURE POSSIBILITIES (IDEA LAB) · 3 comments · Reporting & Analytics (incl Decision Center) · Admin → -
Add option to email checkin receipt to patron
Currently Sierra offers the option to email the patron due date information. We use courtesy notices via email as a backup notification of due dates. We would like the option to email the checkin slip as well. We always offer the option to print a receipt upon checkin, and may patrons appreciate that, but have often commented that it would be more convenient to receive the checkin confirmation via email instead of being printed on a slip of paper that can get lost.
Idea Value
Email is easier to search and archive, whereas a paper receipt is prone to getting…19 votes -
Backup Load Profiles using Sierra Desktop Put PC, don't require FTP
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 -
Clearer distinction between expired holds and clear the holdshelf
When a patron's hold expires or an item is cleared from the holdshelf, the Program column in View Canceled Holds reads "Clear Holdshelf" for both processes. A more apparent distinction between the two would be helpful to both patrons and staff.
Idea Value
The ability to see the difference between an expired hold and an item cleared from the holdshelf would allow staff to accurately explain to a patron why their hold was removed from their account. Differentiating between the two would also assist staff in troubleshooting issues with the Clear the Holdshelf and expired holds processes.29 votes -
Reduce time for Patron record payment lock
The patron record payment lock time should be reduced or have the ability to be overridden. Four hours is an excessive amount of time for a record to be locked. If a patron record is open for more than, say, 15 minutes (or even 5 minutes), the other session is probably not in the midst of making a payment.
Idea Value
Patron record locks are unexpected and embarrassing for staff that encounter them when the patron is in front of them wanting to pay or have a fine, fee, or other charge paid or waived. The patron is confused and…26 votes -
In Create Lists, easily move a list to correct sized file.
I would like a function that would move a file to a correct sized list automatically. You just press this button and it moves the file to the smallest open file that will fit your list. It would automatically empty the original file and select the new one.
Idea Value
We frequently have to move lists because they turn out to be smaller than expected, and we want to put them in a better sized file. This is possible with the copy function, but then you have to go back and empty the original file. This is cumbersome.48 votes -
Block patron circulation based on the number of overdue items
As libraries eliminate fines they would like alternative ways to provide an incentive for patrons to return items. We would like the option to block patron circulation based a Library determined number of overdues. This rule could be added to the Patron Block table so that libraries could customize rule as necessary.
Idea Value
Libraries use the patron block table to determine when a patron is blocked from circulation. As this table exists, could the # of item overdues be added to this table? Libraries could set this behaviour (as they do all patron block settings).Value: Although we never…
23 votes -
transfer holds between bibs
Allow transfer of bib level holds to another bib! Documentation states that only item specific holds can be moved, and then only to bib level on the same bib or to another item. We need to be able to easily move holds or even entire hold lists to another bib.
Idea Value
Moving holds to a new edition of a title, or a new volume of a series. Depending on individual library cataloging and their use of monograph versus serial records, not to mention volume information, there are many instances of having title level holds on something that has been…30 votes -
Allow searching by item information in course reserves module
Add search functions of "title" and "barcode" to course reserves.
Idea Value
Right now the only ways to search in course reserves are by "p PROF/TA," "r COURSE, and ". RECORD NO". If I have a single book in my hand that I know is on reserve, I want to be able to look it up. I want to be able to look it up by title to see all the classes it's on reserve for and if there are any other copies on reserve, and I want to be able to look it up by barcode so I can…15 votes -
Patron Preferred Pronouns (Sierra)
We require a field in the patron record for preferred pronouns. This field must be included in the data libraries for all notices and available in the default patron record view. While we can create a locally customized field, it would be useful to see it in the default patron view for greeting patrons, and also in notices. This requires a more broadly adopted field
Idea Value
It is just good service. If the patron indicates a preference currently, we have only the notes field to provide this information, which pops up as a red flag rather than simply stating…28 votes -
Retain more than 36 months of Sierra data for reporting
Innovative explains that Sierra is hardcoded to retain the source circulation statistics for Web Management Reports only up to 36 months, but longer data series are needed, because the Library can make better decisions and optimize services only if we know facts, and facts are better known when seen on a larger time span. "Old data for new decisions".
This change could help both Library managers and staff to understand facts and their trends, and to see whether and how something should be changed. Three years are too few to see facts, but knowing that certain sections of the Library…30 votesFUTURE POSSIBILITIES (IDEA LAB) · 1 comment · Reporting & Analytics (incl Decision Center) · Admin → -
Secure FTP support for maintaining the Web OPAC
Sierra currently has mixed support for Secure FTP. It is available in some parts of the application, but not others. It is available for transferring files using the File Transfer Software (FTS) product, and for sending files via the Job Scheduler. There is currently no support for Secure FTP for Web OPAC maintenance. The current system only supports using the Web Master function of the Sierra Desktop Application or using insecure FTP programs.
I'd like to suggest that Secure FTP support be added so that organizations can use it to maintain their Web OPACs.
FTP was never designed to be…
13 votes -
Add create date; last use date; and login Create Lists: Saved Search, Saved Sorts, Saved Lists, Saved Exports
In Create Lists the system saves the login and the date that the Review File was created. Please extend this feature to: Saved Search, Saved Sorts, Saved Lists, Saved Exports; to make annually cleaning these saved features easier.
Additionally add a last used date to create lists, and the above saved features to know if it is no longer in use.
Idea Value
At present I have to tell staff to add the date and their username in the title to system cleaning. This idea would save a great deal of time when it comes to purging unused saves in…47 votesFUTURE POSSIBILITIES (IDEA LAB) · 6 comments · Reporting & Analytics (incl Decision Center) · Admin → -
Allow Local Create List Saved Exports
Create List supports "Apply Saved Export." However, it has a 100 max limit. In large institutions or consortiums users hit this limit. This requires users to manually configure what can be complex export data by hand every time.
Sierra's Create List supports loading locally saved queries via JSON. Global update allows the user to Load (Local) commands. Extend Sierra's Create List to Load (Local) saved export fields. This increases efficiency and eliminates errors.
Idea Value
In our institution, there are no available Saved Export slots. As a result we often have to configure complex export data by hand. This introduces…20 votesFUTURE POSSIBILITIES (IDEA LAB) · 0 comments · Reporting & Analytics (incl Decision Center) · Admin → -
Go to full patron record (and be able to edit) from review file results
Resurrecting Sam Cook's Level Up idea to Go to full patron account from patron review file results.
As Sam noted in the earlier challenge, library staff regularly run patron lists in Create Lists, and need to see something (and usually modify something!) about their checkouts, holds, or fines, which are not available/editable when opening from a review file (Note: You can edit basic record fields, but not access checkouts, holds, fines, etc.). This is particularly frustrating when you run a list of patrons with fines and want to go in and waive fines, for example. You can double-click/open the patron…
37 votes -
See authority records and cross references in Sierra Search/Holds function (Circulation)
Originally submitted by by Anne Morgan 03/28/2018
Authority records are available for Cataloguing and Acquisitions staff. Other staff assisting our patrons are unable to view these references which may result in less than full retrieval, such as missed authors with various spellings. e.g. Aleksievich, Svetlana,|d1948-
Another example is subject search for "gender role" yields no results when searching in the Search/Holds function; however, when in the catalog function, you'll see subject authority record with ">See Sex role".
Idea Value
Cataloguers spend a lot of time on authority control to provide good access to the database. For authors with variant spellings…19 votes -
Sort Sierra search results by publication date
When searching Sierra there are limited facets you can select from the left panel to help narrow a result, but you cannot sort the results by date, or even limit them by a date range. I would like to have the ability to sort the results by publication date.
Idea Value
This would be a real asset in trying to manage fiction authors both for acquisitions work in determining author popularity, and also when trying to locate the first or last in a series, the inability to sort the search result in Sierra is problematic.Workarounds are cumbersome - either…
23 votes -
Tiered Holds for Better Local Delivery Services
We would like Innovative to work on a new prioritizing holds fulfillment feature that other consortia could use as well. This pandemic has made it obvious that we need a tiered feature for fulfilling holds.
Background information: We have two islands in our consortium. The first island, Nantucket, only has one library so they are in the same paging priority group as the libraries on the mainland (Cape Cod). The other island, Martha's Vineyard, has six locations with an intra-island delivery system used in conjunction with the statewide delivery service we have in Massachusetts. Since Martha's Vineyard has its own…
16 votes -
Add Year of Publication to export options in Create Lists
Currently we are only able to export "Pub Info" from the bib record, which contains both the publisher's name and the date(s) of publication. The format of the data in the field is variable and sometimes contains multiple years of publication, making it extremely difficult to pull out the correct year.
Adding the pubdate field from the bibrecordproperty table to the export options in Create Lists would give us that data very easily.
Idea Value
Having the pub year for an item lets us analyze the age of the collection, which is particularly important in nonfiction. Some subject…18 votesFUTURE POSSIBILITIES (IDEA LAB) · 2 comments · Reporting & Analytics (incl Decision Center) · Admin →
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