CCSNEWS Sept 21, 1012

FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM

Testing  New Release– 3.4.1 is on the test server and libraries should be testing the new release.  In addition, we have discussed client downloading at length with the maintenance coordinators and they should be testing this aspect. Please make the time to test.

CCS News Sept. 14, 2012

CCS News
September 14, 2012

FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
New WorkFlows Client 3.4.1:
Frank sent out the links to the Maintenance Coordinators for access to the new WF client 3.4.1. There is also a useful procedure Warren Dawkins (thanks again) has developed and documented, which was handed out to the Maintenance Coordinators at this week’s meeting. Please use this client version for testing, and let Willie know via email (wbalitaan@ccs.nsls.lib.il.us) and keep track of the hours you spend testing. We will tally up those hours at the end of the test period, which will be Wednesday, October 11. Please don’t wait until the end of the test period to report any problems. Please let Willie know of any problems or issues as soon as possible. It is recommended to use one workstation as a test station because the 3.4.1 WF version will not work on the production server, which currently runs WF version 3.3.1.

Sirsi’s Facebook App:
Adding Libraily to your library’s Facebook page will allow your patrons to search your library catalog, place holds, and download electronic resources through Facebook. Currently as of this writing, 4 libraries have installed it on their web page, with no major problems. They also said the process was easy and without much to configure.  If you would like to add this app to your library’s Facebook page, contact Frank via email, and he will send the information needed for you to install the app. You have to be the library’s Facebook administrator or have rights in order to make and configure the app.

Vendor Demos:
Starting this week, the computer room will be short-staffed during the vendor demos. IF you are working on problems or issues with a staff member, please use the Wonder Desk to track or report a problem. Calling or e-mailing that staff member directly might will leave you waiting if you expect to hear a reply, since the staff member will be out of the office. Or you can just call the general computer room number and see if someone else can assist.

SYMPHONY RELEASE 3.4.1 SERVICE PACK 2 NOTES COMING:
Within the next week we will post the Service Pack 2 Release Notes and highlights on the CCS web site, and excerpt them for the Technical Groups as usual.

ALL GOOD WISHES AND THANKS to Dr. Bill McCully as he retires from directing Prospect Heights PLD (and Park Ridge before that), and CONGRATULATIONS to Alex Todd, promoted from within to take the position (and continue a family tradition)!   

CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:

Wed., 9/19, 9:30-3:30, Des Plaines: Symphony presentation

Wed., 9/19, 9:30, CCS: SCRAP

Thur., 9/20, 9:30-3:30, Des Plaines: Symphony presentation (repeat of 9/19)

Fri., 9/21, 9:30, FRV Randall Oaks: Circulation (we’ll send out directions)

(Reminder: the PAS meeting was moved from 9/20 to 10/4!)

CCS News Sept. 7, 2012

FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:

Get ready for Testing Symphony 3.4.1 Service Pack 2
 The test environment for the new Symphony Release 3.2.1 Service Pack 2 is ready on the Test Server.  Libraries may load the new client by connecting to the Test Server.  It would be best if you contact your network or Maintenance Coordinator for instructions if you are participating in testing.  We will be discussing preferred methods of loading the client with the Maintenance Coordinators on Tuesday, September 11.  At that point we would like libraries to start testing in earnest.  The testing period will run at least through October 10.  Keep track of the time you spend testing - we will ask for those totals on October 10.  If you encounter problems, please convey them immediately to Willie Balitaan at (wbalitaan@ccs.nsls.lib.il.us) who will be coordinating the testing.

Librarily - Facebook Integration with Symphony
 We thank Lake Villa for acting as our guinea pig for the Facebook integration with Symphony.  Your Facebook administrator should contact Frank Correa at (fcorrea@ccs.nsls.lib.il.us) or open a WonderDesk incident if you want to participate in this six month trial.  We will help you to set it up.

BookMyne Plus
Eight participating libraries are now reviewing the BookMyne Plus implementation before the configuration is released to the App Store.

Absence - Linda will be away from the office September 7 to September 14 for training and demos.


CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:

Tues.m 9/11, 9:30 PHK: Maintenance Coordinators

Wed., 9/12, 10:00, CCS: Executive Committee

Thur., 9/13, 9:30, NBK: Innovative Interfaces Demo

Fri.,m 9/14, 9:30, NBK: Innovative Interfaces

CCS News Aug. 31, 2012

FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
The Computer Room will be closed on Monday, September 3.  Reports will run as usual.


AUTHORITIES NEWS:
This week I loaded two files into the CCS system that were obtained from Marchive.  One contained 2,788 updated authority records and the other contained 514 new authority records.  The updated authority records contain heading changes, new death dates and other information that will keep our database as up to date as possible.  The 514 (or "the new matches") were authority records that were needed in our database, but were not available before this time.

Virginia Seward
CCS Authorities Librarian


CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
   None!

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND TO ALL FROM THE CCS STAFF!

CCS News August 24, 2012

 CCS News
 
AUGUST 24, 2012

FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
BookMyne Plus Progress: We have submitted the information to SirsiDynix for the BookMyne Plus trial. The following libraries will be working with us on the trial: LFK, LVK, MUK, PHK, WLK, HPK, NIK, DUK . We will keep you posted on progress.

STAFF ABSENCES:
Linda Zaleski will be gone the week of August 27.

Richard Shurman will be gone Wed. August 29 till Monday September 10.
           
CONGRATULATIONS to the Fox River Valley Public Library District (formerly Dundee) on the August 25 opening of their Randall Oaks Branch!

CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
       
None!  (But the busy season is coming...)

CCS News August 17, 2012

CCS News
 
AUGUST 17, 2012

FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
BookMyne Plus – The following libraries are participating in the BookMyne Plus trail for six months: LFK, LVK, MUK, PHK, WLK, and HPK . We have submitted responses for those libraries to SirsiDynix and learned that no additional libraries can be added once we submit to the App store. So if you want to be in the trial, please contact Linda (847-342-5303) in the computer room as soon as you read this message.  We will tell SirsiDynix to submit on Monday (8/20) night if we don’t hear from anyone.

Not much else to report this week.  We’re planning some workshops, preparing for the vendor demos, will have a tip sheet on installing the new OCLC Connexion software, etc.   

CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:

None!  (Hey, maybe there still IS a slight Summer Lull!)

CCS News August 10, 2012

CCS News
 
AUGUST 10, 2012

FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Wireless - Many libraries have asked about our wireless policy document lately. You can find it on the CCS web site at ccs.lib under the FAQ section, as the fourth FAQ.

BookMyne Plus – A handful of libraries have responded with their configuration choices. Look for more on this in early September.

3.4.1 – We are waiting for the SirsiDynix announcement that Release 3.4.1 Service Pack 2 is ready for testing. This should occur approximately before the end of the month.  At that time we will load the new release on the test server and we will let you know about testing. We have reserved the evening of October 23 for our upgrade.

Strategic Partner Program (SPP) – We participate in SirsiDynix’s Strategic Partner Program for a number of new products. We will be participating in the strategic initiative for Analytics Station – which will “one-day” take the place of Directors Station. Members of CCS have learned a lot through working with Directors Station and we hope to corral that knowledge, pass it on to SD and help to make improvements.

BOOKMYNE PLUS AND SOCIAL LIBRARY TRIALS:
We are hoping to be ready around Labor Day to launch the trials of SirsiDynix’s BookMyne Plus and Social Library.  If you are interested in BookMyne Plus, please send the Computer Room staff the requested configuration information ASAP.  (See the second “From The Computer Room” item.)

SEPTEMBER VENDOR PRESENTATIONS:
Early next week we will send out an e-mail asking people to register for the September ILS vendor presentations, with a list of our questions and stipulations to the vendors.  These presentations will start at 9:30 and go till mid-afternoon, with a ninety minute lunch break.  Each vendor will do a one day session with a repeat on the second day.  They will be structured, it’s not a “walk in whenever and play on a PC” situation.

CCS MEETING NEXT WEEK:

Wed., 8/15, 9:30, CCS: SCRAP