CCS News
June 20, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
SMS is on the Move.........
At today's meeting, SirsiDynix provided us with the tools needed to create a custom server-side back end self-registration application needed to update the SMS database. The tools provided detail on how to update the patron's record, populating the SMS phone number and the Patron's User Category field.
Our next meeting with SirsiDynix regarding SMS will be on July 10th. Prior to our next meeting, we will be creating a working version of the back end of the self- registration application. Once this is complete, we can begin working on the web interface for the Patron SMS Self-Registration.
AUTHORITIES NEWS:
This week, CCS sent a file of 8,277 bibliographic records to Marcive for authorities processing. 7,109 records were updated and returned to CCS, as well as 3,368 new authority records. All of these records were loaded into our system.
Sometime soon, two more files from Marcive will be loaded into our system. One contains 2695 updated authority records and the other contains 315 new authority records that were needed in our database, but were not available before this time.
Virginia Seward
CCS Authorities Librarian
CCS BILLING REMITTANCE REMINDER:
Business Managers, Going forward we ask that you please send a copy of the bill along with your payment every month. It will make it much easier on our end since more than one person handles the incoming payments received and we need to credit the payments properly.
Thank you.
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
None! But we look forward to seeing some of you at ALA... no news yet on a SirsiDynix reception but we’ll pass along any communiques we receive.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Thursday, June 12, 2014
CCS News June 13, 2014
CCS News
June 13, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
News from the "Actual" CCS Computer Room: We are happy to announce that we are officially moved into our newly renovated Computer Room space and offices. There are a few minor Punch List items that need to be completed but overall we are happy to back in our own space and the Evening Operators are very thankful that have their own desk area as well.
Fiber data line status: Sonoma has begun their part of the boring for CCS's AT&T ASE fiber Line. this is another step forward in increasing our bandwidth almost fivefold and aggregating it. The scope of the work should only take a couple of days before AT&T can move forward with stringing the fiber into the Server Room.
WEB CONSULTANT REFERENCES WANTED:
CCS is seeking a consultant to work with us on a revamp of our web site. If your library has had a good recent experience with a firm, we’d like to know who it was, contact info and any other feedback. Please email Richard Shurman with the information.
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Mon., 6/16, 1:00, Ela: Enterprise Implementation Task Force
Tues., 6/17, 9:30, Glenview: Maintenance Coordinators
Wed., 6/18, 9:30, CCS: SCRAP
Wed., 6/18, noon, Jameson’s: Technical Group Secretaries Appreciation Lunch
Fri., 6/20, 9:30 and 1:30, Niles: Enterprise Profile Management Training
June 13, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
News from the "Actual" CCS Computer Room: We are happy to announce that we are officially moved into our newly renovated Computer Room space and offices. There are a few minor Punch List items that need to be completed but overall we are happy to back in our own space and the Evening Operators are very thankful that have their own desk area as well.
Fiber data line status: Sonoma has begun their part of the boring for CCS's AT&T ASE fiber Line. this is another step forward in increasing our bandwidth almost fivefold and aggregating it. The scope of the work should only take a couple of days before AT&T can move forward with stringing the fiber into the Server Room.
WEB CONSULTANT REFERENCES WANTED:
CCS is seeking a consultant to work with us on a revamp of our web site. If your library has had a good recent experience with a firm, we’d like to know who it was, contact info and any other feedback. Please email Richard Shurman with the information.
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Mon., 6/16, 1:00, Ela: Enterprise Implementation Task Force
Tues., 6/17, 9:30, Glenview: Maintenance Coordinators
Wed., 6/18, 9:30, CCS: SCRAP
Wed., 6/18, noon, Jameson’s: Technical Group Secretaries Appreciation Lunch
Fri., 6/20, 9:30 and 1:30, Niles: Enterprise Profile Management Training
Thursday, June 5, 2014
CCS News June 6, 2014
CCS News
JUNE 6, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Office Renovation Update: There is "MOVEMENT" into "MOVING FORWARD" in "MOVING" into our new IT office space. That's right, lots of "MOVES" happening here. Our new furniture for the new IT office space, has arrived and is currently being set up. We look forward to the imminent "MOVE" into the new office space as it will bring some normalcy to CCS after a grueling 6 months and counting. (Of course, we still have to carpet and paint the rest of the office, repair and replace some flooring and refinish some doors.)
Bob Barth Vacation: Just a reminder that Bob Barth is on vacation and won’t be back until June 16th, so if you have any pressing issues or tickets with or going to him, please use WonderDesk to be assisted by other CCS staff.
Fiber Update: AT&T’s subcontractor has finished boring the fiber conduit to their handoff location to CCS. This was the first critical phase in getting fiber over to the CCS offices. We are making headway into getting our half of the boring and conduit to the hand off location completed, to be able to string the fiber line into our server room.
AUTHORITIES NEWS:
Two files from Marcive were loaded into our system this week. One contained 3724 updated authority records and the other contained 393 new authority records that were needed in our database, but were not available before this time.
Virginia Seward
CCS Authorities Librarian
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Wed., 6/11, 9:30, Wilmette: Catalogers
Wed., 6/11, 10:00, CCS: Executive Committee
Thur., 6/12, 9:30, Fremont: ILL
JUNE 6, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Office Renovation Update: There is "MOVEMENT" into "MOVING FORWARD" in "MOVING" into our new IT office space. That's right, lots of "MOVES" happening here. Our new furniture for the new IT office space, has arrived and is currently being set up. We look forward to the imminent "MOVE" into the new office space as it will bring some normalcy to CCS after a grueling 6 months and counting. (Of course, we still have to carpet and paint the rest of the office, repair and replace some flooring and refinish some doors.)
Bob Barth Vacation: Just a reminder that Bob Barth is on vacation and won’t be back until June 16th, so if you have any pressing issues or tickets with or going to him, please use WonderDesk to be assisted by other CCS staff.
Fiber Update: AT&T’s subcontractor has finished boring the fiber conduit to their handoff location to CCS. This was the first critical phase in getting fiber over to the CCS offices. We are making headway into getting our half of the boring and conduit to the hand off location completed, to be able to string the fiber line into our server room.
AUTHORITIES NEWS:
Two files from Marcive were loaded into our system this week. One contained 3724 updated authority records and the other contained 393 new authority records that were needed in our database, but were not available before this time.
Virginia Seward
CCS Authorities Librarian
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Wed., 6/11, 9:30, Wilmette: Catalogers
Wed., 6/11, 10:00, CCS: Executive Committee
Thur., 6/12, 9:30, Fremont: ILL
Thursday, May 29, 2014
CCS News May 30, 2014
CCS News
MAY 30, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
We are working closely with SirsiDynix on implementing a proposed working solution to the SMS notifications. We hope to have some resolution after our conference call on June 19th, so we can start implementing this method of
notification.
EQUITABLE ACCESS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS:
On May 28 the Governing Board approved the recommendations below related to consistency of practice. We will change thresholds accordingly for everyone on July 9 unless we hear otherwise from a library.
1. Processing fee terminology: “Processing fee” should be used for normal pre-collections charges. Referral should be used for items sent to collection; Collection should not be used.
(Notes: 1) Only two libraries now use “Collection.” 2) If a report run by CCS restricts a library to only certain terminology, that is an allowable exception to this recommendation.)
2. It is the prerogative of the owning library to charge the processing fee for an item. Other libraries should honor that prerogative when processing payments. The Processing fee (as defined in number 1 above) should be standardized at $5 per item if any is charged. [Added cautionary note: if you use Mark Item Lost to process your item which incurred loss or damage due to circulation at another library, the circulating library's processing fee will be added. This should not be a problem because the fee should be standardized per this recommendation, but unless/until a library has set its fee in compliance with the recommendation, discrepancies should be noted and corrected.]
(Notes: 1) Some libraries have stratified fees depending on the type of material. The Task Force feels that this difference is reflected in the price; the labor involved in replacement is relatively equivalent. 2) If this recommendation is adopted, it should only apply from this point forward; no library is expected to make retroactive adjustments.)
3. The processing fee should not be included in the cost of the item. It should be added separately so that there is no confusion about whether to add it at the time of payment or not.
4. At its option, a library may accept replacements for its own items. However, replacements for another library’s item should not be accepted unless there is mutual agreement between the libraries involved.
(Notes: 1) Libraries may wish to articulate their policy via wording on bills, a sign, bookmarks, etc., so patrons won’t be proactive and bring in a replacement without prior approval. 2) The next update of the Processing Fee chart will have an added column with the library’s practice regarding replacements.)
The following recommendations apply to the delinquency thresholds set by CCS libraries.
5. Bills: $10 minimum threshold. This should be revisited six months from implementation of these recommendations to consider if too many blocks are resulting because of the recommended increase in allowable overdues; if so, $20 should be considered.
(Notes: 1) There was some support for $20 because we are recommending a higher threshold for overdues (#6 below), but based on feedback from the Circ and ILL Technical Groups at their most recent meetings, support seems to be well short of Critical Mass at present. 2) Some libraries have an issue with increasing the amount of outstanding financial obligations from patrons on the books; $10 seems to be the workable compromise. 3) The four CCS libraries set at $5 are all amenable to $10; in fact, Des Plaines has already changed back. Two of those libraries indicated Board approval would be required.)
6. Overdues: a minimum of 40 allowed is recommended.
(Notes: 1) This increase recognizes the trend toward self-service. 2) Some libraries pointed out that families can be abusive by maxing out several cards, but those cards can be blocked and are exceptions.
7. Maximum charges at one time: 150 allowed for the standard public User Profile for CCS libraries’ resident patrons is recommended.
(Notes: 1) Teachers can be given a separate Profile and thresholds.) 2) We ran a report on April 18 to see what the consequences of going from 75 to 150 would be; that chart is also attached. Only 59 “civilians” had between 75 and 150 items charged. That’s less than 2½ per library, so the impact of this change should be minimal. 3) Raising the threshold allows for the “lag factor” if a patron returns items that have not been checked in before the patron checks out more. At least two libraries factor this in already.)
8. Hold limit: As has been true in the past, the Task Force did not find grounds for a consensus.
9. The thresholds for Profile PUBLIC (users from outside of CCS who do not purchase cards or reside in Chicago) should follow the above recommendations where applicable.
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Thur., 6/5, 2:00, CCS: Enterprise Marketing Task Force
Fri., 6/6, 10-1 and 2-5, Niles: Enterprise Rooms Management Training (you must be registered)
MAY 30, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
We are working closely with SirsiDynix on implementing a proposed working solution to the SMS notifications. We hope to have some resolution after our conference call on June 19th, so we can start implementing this method of
notification.
EQUITABLE ACCESS TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS:
On May 28 the Governing Board approved the recommendations below related to consistency of practice. We will change thresholds accordingly for everyone on July 9 unless we hear otherwise from a library.
1. Processing fee terminology: “Processing fee” should be used for normal pre-collections charges. Referral should be used for items sent to collection; Collection should not be used.
(Notes: 1) Only two libraries now use “Collection.” 2) If a report run by CCS restricts a library to only certain terminology, that is an allowable exception to this recommendation.)
2. It is the prerogative of the owning library to charge the processing fee for an item. Other libraries should honor that prerogative when processing payments. The Processing fee (as defined in number 1 above) should be standardized at $5 per item if any is charged. [Added cautionary note: if you use Mark Item Lost to process your item which incurred loss or damage due to circulation at another library, the circulating library's processing fee will be added. This should not be a problem because the fee should be standardized per this recommendation, but unless/until a library has set its fee in compliance with the recommendation, discrepancies should be noted and corrected.]
(Notes: 1) Some libraries have stratified fees depending on the type of material. The Task Force feels that this difference is reflected in the price; the labor involved in replacement is relatively equivalent. 2) If this recommendation is adopted, it should only apply from this point forward; no library is expected to make retroactive adjustments.)
3. The processing fee should not be included in the cost of the item. It should be added separately so that there is no confusion about whether to add it at the time of payment or not.
4. At its option, a library may accept replacements for its own items. However, replacements for another library’s item should not be accepted unless there is mutual agreement between the libraries involved.
(Notes: 1) Libraries may wish to articulate their policy via wording on bills, a sign, bookmarks, etc., so patrons won’t be proactive and bring in a replacement without prior approval. 2) The next update of the Processing Fee chart will have an added column with the library’s practice regarding replacements.)
The following recommendations apply to the delinquency thresholds set by CCS libraries.
5. Bills: $10 minimum threshold. This should be revisited six months from implementation of these recommendations to consider if too many blocks are resulting because of the recommended increase in allowable overdues; if so, $20 should be considered.
(Notes: 1) There was some support for $20 because we are recommending a higher threshold for overdues (#6 below), but based on feedback from the Circ and ILL Technical Groups at their most recent meetings, support seems to be well short of Critical Mass at present. 2) Some libraries have an issue with increasing the amount of outstanding financial obligations from patrons on the books; $10 seems to be the workable compromise. 3) The four CCS libraries set at $5 are all amenable to $10; in fact, Des Plaines has already changed back. Two of those libraries indicated Board approval would be required.)
6. Overdues: a minimum of 40 allowed is recommended.
(Notes: 1) This increase recognizes the trend toward self-service. 2) Some libraries pointed out that families can be abusive by maxing out several cards, but those cards can be blocked and are exceptions.
7. Maximum charges at one time: 150 allowed for the standard public User Profile for CCS libraries’ resident patrons is recommended.
(Notes: 1) Teachers can be given a separate Profile and thresholds.) 2) We ran a report on April 18 to see what the consequences of going from 75 to 150 would be; that chart is also attached. Only 59 “civilians” had between 75 and 150 items charged. That’s less than 2½ per library, so the impact of this change should be minimal. 3) Raising the threshold allows for the “lag factor” if a patron returns items that have not been checked in before the patron checks out more. At least two libraries factor this in already.)
8. Hold limit: As has been true in the past, the Task Force did not find grounds for a consensus.
9. The thresholds for Profile PUBLIC (users from outside of CCS who do not purchase cards or reside in Chicago) should follow the above recommendations where applicable.
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Thur., 6/5, 2:00, CCS: Enterprise Marketing Task Force
Fri., 6/6, 10-1 and 2-5, Niles: Enterprise Rooms Management Training (you must be registered)
Thursday, May 22, 2014
CCS News May 23, 2014
CCS News
MAY 23, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
CCS Closed Monday, May 26:
We will be staffed as normal for Sat. & Sun., but CCS will be closed on Memorial Day.
SP4 Upgrade Postponed:
The SP4 upgrade has been postponed due to reported bugs. While at the COSUGI Conference, we were advised by a library cohort and straight from the horses mouth, SirsiDynix, to NOT proceed with the upgrade and stand by for SP5, due out in June. As always, we will let SP5 run its course for a couple of weeks prior to proceeding with the upgrade and keep an eye out for any issues with it. We will plan (very tentatively) to do the upgrade in mid July dependent on the actual release date of SP5.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused your libraries. We are eager to implement some new features and products, and to get this out of the way. We felt this was an appropriate measure to save everyone from an ever bigger inconvenience. We appreciate your understanding.
CONDOLENCES to CCS staff member JoAnne Holmes, whose father passed away May 20, and to the family and friends of our Sirsi migration project manager Muriel Lynne Bartholomae, who died unexpectedly from a heart attack after knee surgery on May 16.
HAPPY HOLIDAY WEEKEND TO ALL FROM THE CCS STAFF, AND OUR APPRECIATION TO ALL WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY.
CCS MEETING NEXT WEEK:
Wed., 5/28, 10:00, Fox River Valley/Dundee: Governing Board
MAY 23, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
CCS Closed Monday, May 26:
We will be staffed as normal for Sat. & Sun., but CCS will be closed on Memorial Day.
SP4 Upgrade Postponed:
The SP4 upgrade has been postponed due to reported bugs. While at the COSUGI Conference, we were advised by a library cohort and straight from the horses mouth, SirsiDynix, to NOT proceed with the upgrade and stand by for SP5, due out in June. As always, we will let SP5 run its course for a couple of weeks prior to proceeding with the upgrade and keep an eye out for any issues with it. We will plan (very tentatively) to do the upgrade in mid July dependent on the actual release date of SP5.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused your libraries. We are eager to implement some new features and products, and to get this out of the way. We felt this was an appropriate measure to save everyone from an ever bigger inconvenience. We appreciate your understanding.
CONDOLENCES to CCS staff member JoAnne Holmes, whose father passed away May 20, and to the family and friends of our Sirsi migration project manager Muriel Lynne Bartholomae, who died unexpectedly from a heart attack after knee surgery on May 16.
HAPPY HOLIDAY WEEKEND TO ALL FROM THE CCS STAFF, AND OUR APPRECIATION TO ALL WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY.
CCS MEETING NEXT WEEK:
Wed., 5/28, 10:00, Fox River Valley/Dundee: Governing Board
Thursday, May 15, 2014
CCS News May 16, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
COSUGI Meeting - Richard, Jonathan, Bob and Joel are away at the SirsiDynix national users' meeting and will return on Monday, May 19.
Symphony Upgrade Postponed
Sirsi has advised us not to upgrade to SP4 but to wait for SP5 which will correct some problems. SP5 is due out in June; we'll watch the early feedback and look toward a possible July upgrade. More to come, of course, but for now just note that next week we'll maintain the status quo instead of breaking anything.
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Mon., 5/19, 2:00, Ela: Enterprise PR/Marketing Task Force
Tues., 5/20, 10, CCS: Bylaws & Policy Committee
Wed., 5/21, 9:30, CCS: SCRAP
Thurs., 5/22, 9:30, Glenview: PAS
Fri., 5/23, 10, Ela: Enterprise Implementation Task Force
COSUGI Meeting - Richard, Jonathan, Bob and Joel are away at the SirsiDynix national users' meeting and will return on Monday, May 19.
Symphony Upgrade Postponed
Sirsi has advised us not to upgrade to SP4 but to wait for SP5 which will correct some problems. SP5 is due out in June; we'll watch the early feedback and look toward a possible July upgrade. More to come, of course, but for now just note that next week we'll maintain the status quo instead of breaking anything.
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Mon., 5/19, 2:00, Ela: Enterprise PR/Marketing Task Force
Tues., 5/20, 10, CCS: Bylaws & Policy Committee
Wed., 5/21, 9:30, CCS: SCRAP
Thurs., 5/22, 9:30, Glenview: PAS
Fri., 5/23, 10, Ela: Enterprise Implementation Task Force
Thursday, May 8, 2014
CCS News May 9, 2014
FROM THE COMPUTER ROOM:
Next week we will be short staffed due to some of the staff attending the COSUGI Conference. So as a reminder, if you are working with us on a ticket you may get a delayed response. The best way to avoid this is to enter a Help Desk ticket so that other CCS staff can review the issues and help to resolve them.
We are happy to announce that there is movement in the AT&T ASE Fiber install. There is still much ground work to be done but we are optimistic that it will move in a timely manner. We look forward to this installation as it will give us the opportunity to evaluate our network topology and make improvements to the integrity and security of our infrastructure.
AUTHORITIES NEWS:
Two files from Marcive were loaded into our system this week. One contained 3,058 updated authority records and the other contained 332 new authority records that were needed in our database, but were not available before this time.
Virginia Seward
Authorities Librarian
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Tues., 5/13, 10:00 A.M., CCS: Executive Committee
Wed., 5/14, 9:30 A.M., Niles: Catalogers (RDA Workshop, you must be registered)
Next week we will be short staffed due to some of the staff attending the COSUGI Conference. So as a reminder, if you are working with us on a ticket you may get a delayed response. The best way to avoid this is to enter a Help Desk ticket so that other CCS staff can review the issues and help to resolve them.
We are happy to announce that there is movement in the AT&T ASE Fiber install. There is still much ground work to be done but we are optimistic that it will move in a timely manner. We look forward to this installation as it will give us the opportunity to evaluate our network topology and make improvements to the integrity and security of our infrastructure.
AUTHORITIES NEWS:
Two files from Marcive were loaded into our system this week. One contained 3,058 updated authority records and the other contained 332 new authority records that were needed in our database, but were not available before this time.
Virginia Seward
Authorities Librarian
CCS MEETINGS NEXT WEEK:
Tues., 5/13, 10:00 A.M., CCS: Executive Committee
Wed., 5/14, 9:30 A.M., Niles: Catalogers (RDA Workshop, you must be registered)
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