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245 results found

  1. We recently started using NCIP authentication for our new ILL service. We learned after implementation that NCIP login is blocked for any of the reasons in the Patron Block Table. This makes sense when the block is for an expired card, or for fees over the threshold. This makes less sense when they have reached their maximum holds in Sierra.

    What we're seeing is that patrons cannot log into the system at all when any of the block parameters are true. We would like to be able to enforce certain blocks but not others for account login.

    We can increase…

    3 votes

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  2. The current documentation on loan rules, loan rule determiner, and float determiner table is very limited, and training on these important functions do not exist within Innovative's training & learning center. More comprehensive documentation with examples would help libraries better manage loan rules, and perhaps simplify how libraries' existing rules are setup.

    15 votes

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  3. At present, we can only see the full name field in get patron endpoints. For some systems that connect via api, it would be highly beneficial to have other fields available relating to patron information. For example, separated first and last names.

    This is due the some systems relying on the information it can read from Sierra and not process further to define a first name.

    4 votes

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  4. Why is it important to link patrons?

    • Without linked patron functionality someone that is authorized to pick up a hold on another account is complicated. This is manually done by staff using patron notes, and the authorized patron signs out the book leaving the original hold on the other patron record.
    • Parents visiting the library with children would like to jump to the record of each child rather than using the child’s cards.

    Current privacy and circulation workflow issues:

    • Someone could link to the child record without authorization. If a patron is sharing their circulation details with someone, they should…
    7 votes

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  5. I understand that III is planning to incorporate AI functionality into the Vega platform (newsletter text, website content, etc...). I think it would be really useful to have AI data cleanup functionality developed for Sierra.

    I'm not sure exactly what this would look like but here are some potential ways this could improve catalog metadata:
    - catalog record cleanup (bad codes, incorrect codes, codes inconsistent with local practices for similar records, etc...)
    - patron record cleanup (bad codes, codes inconsistent with similar-type accounts, etc...)
    - automatic tagging of demographic (we use one of the patron codes to indicate reciprocal library…

    8 votes

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  6. That way other devices such as self checks can show that warning to the patron in the case of them checking out items and having the due date shortened to their expiration date instead of the full borrowing period for the item. If they were alerted they could contact staff to update their account and any item due dates that were shortened to their prior expiration date.

    7 votes

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  7. 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…

    26 votes

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  8. We have had a number of instances recently in which a vendor has requested SQL access in order for us to utilize there services. We are hesitant to allow for that (and have policies against it) due to the quantity of secure data that would also provide access to.

    What we need is a way to provide lesser SQL access to particular users to allow them to tap into only the relevant tables (bibs & items for some. Circ_trans and patrons for others).

    Beyond the vendor scenario it would also be fantastic to provide limited access to more of our…

    13 votes

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  9. As the system administrator overseeing a 54-member library consortium, managing Offline File Processing is a routine responsibility. However, we often encounter delays in processing files because libraries don't consistently notify us when they upload offline files. This results in files remaining unprocessed until the next library contacts us, potentially causing unnecessary checkout delays. If we process the files too many days after uploading, additional errors may occur, making it challenging to track items adequately.

    An email notification for Offline File Processing would ensure timely handling of uploaded files. We could proactively monitor file uploads, swiftly process them, and promptly address…

    15 votes

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  10. In Sierra's invoicing function, when selecting an order record already paid, a pop-up box appears with a warning message stating, "ITEM ALREADY PAID FOR." Currently, the only option available is to click "OK," which immediately proceeds to the next step of entering the item's price on that paid order record. However, adding a button labeled "CANCEL" in the warning pop-up box would be beneficial to prevent staff from inadvertently continuing to pay for the item on the wrong record. Clicking "CANCEL" should close the warning pop-up without proceeding further, returning the user to the search results list. The "CANCEL" option…

    16 votes

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  11. Someone at CHPL is suffering from Polaris envy & suggested Sierra offer a comparable record to copy/duplicate patron records. They're hoping for a way to speed up the record creation process for families of 5 or 6 that visit the library together & all need to register for cards, which is apparently not an uncommon scenario. The ability to quickly replicate certain fields (address, home library, maybe phone, e-mail, etc.) from one record for x more should facilitate that.

    16 votes

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  12. We'd like the ability to customise the font size of the text in Sierra popup messages i.e, increase font of where items are going to be picked up, or making the destination in the top part of the message stand out? Or removing call number which we do not use.

    12 votes

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  13. 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…

    7 votes

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  14. 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…

    6 votes

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  15. Our homebound customers love the Sierra reading history functionality, but tell us that they do not want the Library to give them a checkout receipt that includes an option to rate the title. They also tell us that they do not want their personal information on the receipt (and the library cannot edit the Homebound receipt template).

    Additionally, circulation staff workflows are hindered because if a stack of homebound items are returned, they have to use the keyboard / mouse to move past the checkin rating prompts.

    4 votes

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  16. Circulation staff would like to see "did you mean" logic applied to the SDA keyword search. This is the top complaint from circulation staff who search the database to help customers place holds. Staff are used to a Google (or Discovery Catalogue) keyword search that has some flexibility for human error.

    9 votes

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  17. Our patrons are curious about their loan history. They would like to sort it by author or title in addition to the checkout date. We have told them to export it. But exporting the checkout history loses the checkout date! Could more sorting possibilities be added to the catalogue and checkout date added when exporting?

    6 votes

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  18. Update the Sierra API to allow self-check out of virtual items. We use Bibliocommons app and our customers cannot use the self-checkout feature to check out INN-Reach items.

    4 votes

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  19. I know its shocking when the subject of pop-ups in Sierra comes up that anyone would want "MORE!," but our Acquisitions staff would like to see a warning of fund spending over limit at invoicing in addition to ordering.

    Their rationale is that shipping & Mylar costs usually cannot be pre-determined. Once posting happens, the fund goes negative. Since there is no going back, like when you're about to go down the chute at the end of Splash Mountain, there should be a warning.

    8 votes

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  20. The vendor payment address should be accessible at invoice payment function. Currently, the invoicing function needs to be closed & address information accessed at order record, vendor, etc.

    8 votes

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