CCS News
DECEMBER 17, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Holiday Hours – the Computer Room will close on December 25 and on January 1. We will close early on December 24 at 1:00 and on January 31 at 5:00. Our special hours are always posted on the WonderDesk.
Director’s Station – the Historical Measures should be fixed completely by December 18. Data in Director’s Station will go back to January 1, 2007; our survey showed that to be sufficient. Thanks for your feedback and patience.
WEB REPORTS:
The CCS Reports Web Page, specifically the SIRSI FINISHED REPORTS web page, has been enhanced to open most of the Sirsi reports and notices directly into MSWORD. You’ll find that this enhancement makes it possible to print both the reports and notices directly from the web, properly formatted, without any adjustments to MSWORD. Just left click the link on the web page and then click print in MSWORD, it’s that simple. All the necessary adjustments to page size, font, font size and margins are being done for you. (Once you left click the link you’re likely to see the familiar prompt: [ Open Save or Cancel ]; click Open.) Saving a document from the SIRSI FINISHED REPORTS web page has become more efficient as well. You will find that when saving the document the name of the document is now supplied. This name includes the date and (military) time that the report was compiled, in an effort to help you manage multiple occurrences of the same report, in the same local disk directory. Not using MSWORD? This enhanced functionality will work for any text editor equipped to handle files in the RTF format.
MANAGEMENT CHANGES AT SIRSIDYNIX:
We received the following press release from SirsiDynix yesterday:
“This morning, we announced that Gary Rautenstrauch has been named Executive Chairman of SirsiDynix, and Matt Hawkins has succeeded him as Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Bill Davison has returned to SirsiDynix as Chief Operating Officer.
We are excited to announce this especially to your, our customer community. It will result in continuous improvement in the technology and support we provide to libraries.
In his new role, Gary will focus on our relationships with customers, industry partners and associations. Matt will lead the SirsiDynix team, focused on our commitment to deliver technology, services and support that libraries need today, as well as bring an active customer voice into our day-to-day operations.
Read the press release in our newsroom: http://www.sirsidynix.com/newsroom
And read more about our executive team here: http://www.sirsidynix.com/company/leadership
If you have any questions about this announcement, please contact your library relations manager, your sales representative, or me. We look forward to an exciting 2011 with you all.”
I (Richard Shurman) would like to add that Gary called to say he will continue to work directly with our account (“one of my favorites”), and that we have been impressed when we have worked with Matt Hawkins. Here’s hoping these changes benefit everyone. Gary also asked me to convey happy holiday wishes!
CCS NEWS NEXT WEEK:
We will do a bulletin next week so everyone will have something exciting to read on Christmas Eve, but not the following week.
CCS MEETING NEXT WEEK:
Tues., 12/21, 9:30, Evanston: Maintenance Coordinators (this is a virtual meeting; please contact CCS if you need access information!)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
CCS News
DECEMBER 10, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Web Site – we had to add document security to our web site to be sure our documents are not shared indiscriminately. If you have questions, please contact the computer room.
BiblioCommons testing – testing for BiblioCommons has been quite active with over 100 suggestions, comments, change requests and a few bugs submitted. This is normal for a ramp-up period for a site of our size and it is good to see that everyone is evaluating the new tool. We are working with BiblioCommons to get through these just as fast as we can.
Release 3.3.1 – Tentatively we are planning on the end of January to upgrade to 3.3.1 in an overnight move. We are still planning a few last details but will keep you posted on exact times, instructions and details. This release does mean a new Java Client must be downloaded. We will NOT be moving to RevD in this move; we will stay on our old iBIstro RevC.
AUTHORITIES NEWS:
Earlier this week, CCS sent a file of 7077 bibliographic records to Marcive for authorities processing. 2163 updated records were returned as well as a file of 3472 new authority records. All records have been reloaded into our system.
Virginia R. Seward
CCS Authorities Librarian
IBISTRO CHANGE:
We are taking down the message on iBistro about the delivery changes. Here’s hoping we won’t need a new message next summer!
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Wed., 12/15, 9:30, CCS: SCRAP
DECEMBER 10, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Web Site – we had to add document security to our web site to be sure our documents are not shared indiscriminately. If you have questions, please contact the computer room.
BiblioCommons testing – testing for BiblioCommons has been quite active with over 100 suggestions, comments, change requests and a few bugs submitted. This is normal for a ramp-up period for a site of our size and it is good to see that everyone is evaluating the new tool. We are working with BiblioCommons to get through these just as fast as we can.
Release 3.3.1 – Tentatively we are planning on the end of January to upgrade to 3.3.1 in an overnight move. We are still planning a few last details but will keep you posted on exact times, instructions and details. This release does mean a new Java Client must be downloaded. We will NOT be moving to RevD in this move; we will stay on our old iBIstro RevC.
AUTHORITIES NEWS:
Earlier this week, CCS sent a file of 7077 bibliographic records to Marcive for authorities processing. 2163 updated records were returned as well as a file of 3472 new authority records. All records have been reloaded into our system.
Virginia R. Seward
CCS Authorities Librarian
IBISTRO CHANGE:
We are taking down the message on iBistro about the delivery changes. Here’s hoping we won’t need a new message next summer!
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Wed., 12/15, 9:30, CCS: SCRAP
Thursday, December 2, 2010
CCS News
DECEMBER 3, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Self check units – be sure to check with your 3M tech that your units are set to “undo changes”. This is because occasionally the 3M unit will randomly discharge resulting in hold processing mishaps. If this is an item on hold that had just been charged to a patron, the patron often will bring the item to the desk for a staff member to charge the item. A message then appears in WorkFlows that the item is on hold for a different patron (the next patron in the hold queue).
Calendar dates – it is important that circulation and administrative staff double check the policy calendar of due date exceptions posted on our web site. The holidays are almost here and you want to be sure that your dates have been input correctly. PLEASE take the time to do this.
1. Go to our web site: ccslib.org
2. Signon the normal way
3. There will be a tab for Sirsi
4. There will be a link to Policies for your library – check them
AUTHORITY NEWS:
Earlier this week, CCS loaded 2 files that were obtained from Marcive. One file contained 2977 updated authority records and the other file contained 501 authority records that were needed, but not available until now. What does this all mean to the CCS database? An up to date database that includes all available individual death dates, current references, and subject headings.
Virginia R. Seward
CCS Authorities Librarian
HAPPY RETIREMENT WISHES to Randy Vlcek and WELCOME to Lynn Elam as the guard changes at Algonquin!
CCS MEETING NEXT WEEK:
Tues., 12/7, 9:30, CCS: Long Range Planning
Tues., 12/7, noon, Jameson’s: Technical Group Chairs lunch
Thur., 12/9, 9:30, Northbrook: ILL
(Reminder: the Dec. 8 Executive Committee lunch is CANCELED!)
DECEMBER 3, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Self check units – be sure to check with your 3M tech that your units are set to “undo changes”. This is because occasionally the 3M unit will randomly discharge resulting in hold processing mishaps. If this is an item on hold that had just been charged to a patron, the patron often will bring the item to the desk for a staff member to charge the item. A message then appears in WorkFlows that the item is on hold for a different patron (the next patron in the hold queue).
Calendar dates – it is important that circulation and administrative staff double check the policy calendar of due date exceptions posted on our web site. The holidays are almost here and you want to be sure that your dates have been input correctly. PLEASE take the time to do this.
1. Go to our web site: ccslib.org
2. Signon the normal way
3. There will be a tab for Sirsi
4. There will be a link to Policies for your library – check them
AUTHORITY NEWS:
Earlier this week, CCS loaded 2 files that were obtained from Marcive. One file contained 2977 updated authority records and the other file contained 501 authority records that were needed, but not available until now. What does this all mean to the CCS database? An up to date database that includes all available individual death dates, current references, and subject headings.
Virginia R. Seward
CCS Authorities Librarian
HAPPY RETIREMENT WISHES to Randy Vlcek and WELCOME to Lynn Elam as the guard changes at Algonquin!
CCS MEETING NEXT WEEK:
Tues., 12/7, 9:30, CCS: Long Range Planning
Tues., 12/7, noon, Jameson’s: Technical Group Chairs lunch
Thur., 12/9, 9:30, Northbrook: ILL
(Reminder: the Dec. 8 Executive Committee lunch is CANCELED!)
Friday, November 19, 2010
CCS News
NOVEMBER 19, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Help Desk Categories – There are three new categories in the help desk. Remember to choose a category when reporting an incident. The new categories are BiblioCommons, SIP, and 3.3.1. We remind you to report the browser that you are using when reporting BiblioCommons problems. Also include screenshots or barcode information.
Computer Room Hours – The computer room will be staffed until 9 pm on November 23 and closed for Thanksgiving. We will be staffed the usual hours over the weekend.
BIBLIOCOMMONS TESTING:
We have notified everyone to commence two weeks of testing your BiblioCommons interface to see if the logo, colors, links, etc. are correct. Some aspects are still in progress, including awards and NoveList display. But you should be able to check the basics of what you sent us for configuration.
Please give us any questions and change requests by December 1 and, per Linda’s request two paragraphs above, please do so via WonderDesk and not a free-form e-mail. This helps us maintain the illusion of organization. Thanks!
PATRON COUNT COMING DECEMBER 10 FOR SYDNETICS BILLING:
On December 10 we will run a patron count in order to apportion the billing for our Syndetics OPAC content enrichment. This bill will be apportioned according to each library’s relative number of patrons. It is in your interest to run a purge if you have not done so recently, and to do any related cleanup before December 10!
CONGRATULATIONS to CCS Part Time Computer Operator Rory Warfield, who hits her 30th anniversary with CCS November 22!
NO CCS NEWS NEXT WEEK:
Because of the holiday week, there will be no CCS News next week. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
CCS MEETINGS THE NEXT TWO WEEKS:
Wed., 11/24, 9:30, CCS: Acquisitions
Mon., 11/29, 2:00, CCS: BiblioCommons Task Force
Wed., Dec. 1, 9:30, Glenview: Catalogers
Wed., Dec. 1, 10:00, Prospect Heights: Governing Board (followed by Randy Vlcek’s farewell lunch!)
NOVEMBER 19, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Help Desk Categories – There are three new categories in the help desk. Remember to choose a category when reporting an incident. The new categories are BiblioCommons, SIP, and 3.3.1. We remind you to report the browser that you are using when reporting BiblioCommons problems. Also include screenshots or barcode information.
Computer Room Hours – The computer room will be staffed until 9 pm on November 23 and closed for Thanksgiving. We will be staffed the usual hours over the weekend.
BIBLIOCOMMONS TESTING:
We have notified everyone to commence two weeks of testing your BiblioCommons interface to see if the logo, colors, links, etc. are correct. Some aspects are still in progress, including awards and NoveList display. But you should be able to check the basics of what you sent us for configuration.
Please give us any questions and change requests by December 1 and, per Linda’s request two paragraphs above, please do so via WonderDesk and not a free-form e-mail. This helps us maintain the illusion of organization. Thanks!
PATRON COUNT COMING DECEMBER 10 FOR SYDNETICS BILLING:
On December 10 we will run a patron count in order to apportion the billing for our Syndetics OPAC content enrichment. This bill will be apportioned according to each library’s relative number of patrons. It is in your interest to run a purge if you have not done so recently, and to do any related cleanup before December 10!
CONGRATULATIONS to CCS Part Time Computer Operator Rory Warfield, who hits her 30th anniversary with CCS November 22!
NO CCS NEWS NEXT WEEK:
Because of the holiday week, there will be no CCS News next week. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
CCS MEETINGS THE NEXT TWO WEEKS:
Wed., 11/24, 9:30, CCS: Acquisitions
Mon., 11/29, 2:00, CCS: BiblioCommons Task Force
Wed., Dec. 1, 9:30, Glenview: Catalogers
Wed., Dec. 1, 10:00, Prospect Heights: Governing Board (followed by Randy Vlcek’s farewell lunch!)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
CCS News
NOVEMBER 12, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Use the Wonder Desk:
Some of our libraries sometimes run into issues, or have requests or questions. Please remember to use the Wonder Desk tool found in the WWW.CCSLIB.ORG website. This is the preferred method instead of sending emails to someone specific at CCS asking for help. Not only will your ticket be seen by CCS staff, but it may even be resolved a little quicker, if another staff member can help. It is also easier to track incidents this way. There are many categories in the drop down menu, and please make sure you use your email address instead of the default address on the form. This way if someone at CCS has a question, we can send you an email, or call you for information we may be missing.
3.3.1 Testing:
We are hoping you have started to do some testing with 3.3.1. If you come upon some issues, please make sure you use the forms or Wonder Desk to document your findings. There is a 3.3.1 Test category in the Wonder Desk . Our testing period will run until December 1. The Special Instructions section of the Web site contains information about testing Release 3.3.1. Please contact Willie in the Computer Room to assist in testing or if you need us to resend our message of previous weeks.
Free Printers:
We still have 3 printers available for any of our libraries interested. Scroll down to the November 5th edition of CCS NEWS for all the info.
SUBJECT HEADING CHANGES OF NOTE:
Library of Congress is not changing many subject headings lately (must still be recovering from all those “Cookery” to “Cooking” changes), but there were two recently that affected the CCS database. “Autism – Patients” is now “Autistic people”. Also “Martinique fiction (French)” is now “Martinican fiction (French)”.
--Virginia Seward
CCS Authorities Librarian
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Wed., 11/17, 9:30, CCS: SCRAP
Thur., 11/18, 9:30, Niles: PAS
Thur., 11/18, 9:30, Glenview: Acquisitions
Fri., 11/19, 9:30, Glenview: Director’s Station Discussion Group
NOVEMBER 12, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Use the Wonder Desk:
Some of our libraries sometimes run into issues, or have requests or questions. Please remember to use the Wonder Desk tool found in the WWW.CCSLIB.ORG website. This is the preferred method instead of sending emails to someone specific at CCS asking for help. Not only will your ticket be seen by CCS staff, but it may even be resolved a little quicker, if another staff member can help. It is also easier to track incidents this way. There are many categories in the drop down menu, and please make sure you use your email address instead of the default address on the form. This way if someone at CCS has a question, we can send you an email, or call you for information we may be missing.
3.3.1 Testing:
We are hoping you have started to do some testing with 3.3.1. If you come upon some issues, please make sure you use the forms or Wonder Desk to document your findings. There is a 3.3.1 Test category in the Wonder Desk . Our testing period will run until December 1. The Special Instructions section of the Web site contains information about testing Release 3.3.1. Please contact Willie in the Computer Room to assist in testing or if you need us to resend our message of previous weeks.
Free Printers:
We still have 3 printers available for any of our libraries interested. Scroll down to the November 5th edition of CCS NEWS for all the info.
SUBJECT HEADING CHANGES OF NOTE:
Library of Congress is not changing many subject headings lately (must still be recovering from all those “Cookery” to “Cooking” changes), but there were two recently that affected the CCS database. “Autism – Patients” is now “Autistic people”. Also “Martinique fiction (French)” is now “Martinican fiction (French)”.
--Virginia Seward
CCS Authorities Librarian
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Wed., 11/17, 9:30, CCS: SCRAP
Thur., 11/18, 9:30, Niles: PAS
Thur., 11/18, 9:30, Glenview: Acquisitions
Fri., 11/19, 9:30, Glenview: Director’s Station Discussion Group
Friday, November 5, 2010
CCS News
NOVEMBER 5, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
3.3.1 Test – The 3.3.1 test server will be available throughout the month. We have had only one library volunteer to help us in this effort – many thanks to them! Please may we hear from the rest of you?? Contact Willie in the Computer Room to assist us in testing or if you need us to resend our message of last week.
SIP connections and the Firewall – there is good news and bad news. Freegal from Library Ideas has been added to the list of certified SirsiDynix vendors. However, the popularity of SIP connections of late coupled with many network changes in the libraries has nearly “maxed-out” our firewall. We now manage about 300 connections and have little room for new connections. We are considering the large and costly task of expanding – but we need to see if we can work within our existing firewall by addressing “clean-up” first.
! If your network engineers are aware of connections from your end that are not longer in use – please contact Frank in the Computer Room. We put out a message about this to the maintenance group in anticipation of a need to “clean up” several weeks ago but there were only a few responses.
This makes it more important than ever to notify us well in advance of any projects needing a SIP or new network connection interface. It is not too early to alert us to projects you plan NEXT fiscal year.
BiblioCommons progress – This has been a flurry of activity. We have collected, reviewed and sent on the configurations for all libraries at this point. We must be excited about BiblioCommons (I know I am) because the compliance rate was really top notch. We had 86% of the libraries respond on time. Bibliocommons is configuring the interfaces and still has some work to do on scoping. We will let you know when the interfaces are ready for examination. Right now they are “under construction” so even if you discover the URL what you see is NOT necessarily what you get and could be misleading.
FREE PRINTERS AND PAPER AVAILABLE:
Christmas has come early from your friends at CCS, free to any library(s) that may be interested. We also have some boxes of 9 ½ X 11 STDR PERFS paper, and some boxes of notice paper (paper used to feed into these printers) to go with the each GENICOM printer(s). You can’t use lose leaf paper with these Genicoms.
You must come or arrange pickup at CCS. Contact the computer room if interested. They are in good condition, no known issues, and worked fine when printing out reports. We don’t have the manuals or any spare printer ribbons, or parts.
We have 2 Genicom 4840e printers, each one weighs about 250 Lbs : http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=genicom+4840e&hl=en&prmd=ivs&resnum=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8164038974337771559&ei=1jbUTO2sDtOgnQegxK3mBQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CEoQ8wIwAA#
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Wed., 11/10, 10:00, CCS: Executive Committee
Fri., 11/12, 9:30, Prospect Heights: Circ
NOVEMBER 5, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
3.3.1 Test – The 3.3.1 test server will be available throughout the month. We have had only one library volunteer to help us in this effort – many thanks to them! Please may we hear from the rest of you?? Contact Willie in the Computer Room to assist us in testing or if you need us to resend our message of last week.
SIP connections and the Firewall – there is good news and bad news. Freegal from Library Ideas has been added to the list of certified SirsiDynix vendors. However, the popularity of SIP connections of late coupled with many network changes in the libraries has nearly “maxed-out” our firewall. We now manage about 300 connections and have little room for new connections. We are considering the large and costly task of expanding – but we need to see if we can work within our existing firewall by addressing “clean-up” first.
! If your network engineers are aware of connections from your end that are not longer in use – please contact Frank in the Computer Room. We put out a message about this to the maintenance group in anticipation of a need to “clean up” several weeks ago but there were only a few responses.
This makes it more important than ever to notify us well in advance of any projects needing a SIP or new network connection interface. It is not too early to alert us to projects you plan NEXT fiscal year.
BiblioCommons progress – This has been a flurry of activity. We have collected, reviewed and sent on the configurations for all libraries at this point. We must be excited about BiblioCommons (I know I am) because the compliance rate was really top notch. We had 86% of the libraries respond on time. Bibliocommons is configuring the interfaces and still has some work to do on scoping. We will let you know when the interfaces are ready for examination. Right now they are “under construction” so even if you discover the URL what you see is NOT necessarily what you get and could be misleading.
FREE PRINTERS AND PAPER AVAILABLE:
Christmas has come early from your friends at CCS, free to any library(s) that may be interested. We also have some boxes of 9 ½ X 11 STDR PERFS paper, and some boxes of notice paper (paper used to feed into these printers) to go with the each GENICOM printer(s). You can’t use lose leaf paper with these Genicoms.
You must come or arrange pickup at CCS. Contact the computer room if interested. They are in good condition, no known issues, and worked fine when printing out reports. We don’t have the manuals or any spare printer ribbons, or parts.
We have 2 Genicom 4840e printers, each one weighs about 250 Lbs : http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=genicom+4840e&hl=en&prmd=ivs&resnum=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=8164038974337771559&ei=1jbUTO2sDtOgnQegxK3mBQ&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CEoQ8wIwAA#
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Wed., 11/10, 10:00, CCS: Executive Committee
Fri., 11/12, 9:30, Prospect Heights: Circ
Friday, October 29, 2010
CCS News
OCTOBER 29, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Importance of testing Symphony Release 3.3.1 - If you have not already been in touch with us about helping to test Release 3.3.1, please consider doing so. The best way to become familiar with the new release and ensure functional integrity is to (1) put the test system through the normal paces of your daily routine and (2) test added features or bug fixes. In the Computer Room we concentrate on testing the installation procedures, some reports, and on configuration and backroom operations to prepare for the final installation. We could not hope to do as thorough a job testing Workflows and iBistro as you have shown us that you can do. Our testing period will run until December 1. The Special Instructions section of the Web site contains information about testing Release 3.3.1
Due to staff illness and what we are sure is a temporary state of tranquility, we have one of our shortest bulletins ever this week. Happy Halloween!
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Mon., 11/1, 2:00, CCS: BiblioCommons Task Force
Wed., 11/3, 9:30, Niles: Catalogers (Serials workshop)
Thur., Nov. 4, 9:30, Schaumburg: ILUUG (State Sirsi users group)
OCTOBER 29, 2010
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Importance of testing Symphony Release 3.3.1 - If you have not already been in touch with us about helping to test Release 3.3.1, please consider doing so. The best way to become familiar with the new release and ensure functional integrity is to (1) put the test system through the normal paces of your daily routine and (2) test added features or bug fixes. In the Computer Room we concentrate on testing the installation procedures, some reports, and on configuration and backroom operations to prepare for the final installation. We could not hope to do as thorough a job testing Workflows and iBistro as you have shown us that you can do. Our testing period will run until December 1. The Special Instructions section of the Web site contains information about testing Release 3.3.1
Due to staff illness and what we are sure is a temporary state of tranquility, we have one of our shortest bulletins ever this week. Happy Halloween!
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Mon., 11/1, 2:00, CCS: BiblioCommons Task Force
Wed., 11/3, 9:30, Niles: Catalogers (Serials workshop)
Thur., Nov. 4, 9:30, Schaumburg: ILUUG (State Sirsi users group)
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