LINKcat News

Reporting Bibliovation Response Time Problems

SCLS staff are working with LibLime to determine areas of Bibliovation where intermittent and short-term slowdowns are a problem and we are looking for your help. If you experience response time problems with Bibliovation, please open a ticket using the SCLS Help Desk Portal or send an email to [email protected].

In order to provide the most specific information possible to LibLime about response time, please report any problems at the time that they occur, and with as many details as possible. For example, if there is a problem when checking out to a patron, please provide the patron’s barcode number, as well as information about whether the patron has a large number of items already checked out or is checking out a large number of items. If there is a problem when viewing a bibliographic and/or item record, please provide the bibliographic number and/or item barcode number and the specifics of the problem. It’s also important to provide the date and approximate time when the problem occurred.

If Bibliovation is unusable or seems to be having major problems, please contact the Help Desk immediately (use the After Hours Support Number during evenings and weekends).

Bibliovation Staff URL Change May 31, 2022

The Bibliovation staff URL will be changing from scls.kohalibrary.com to scls.bibliovation.com during the day on May 31, 2022. LibLime will be doing a redirect from the old URL to the new URL until September 1, 2022. Because of the redirect, the change will happen behind the scenes and should not impact existing URLs right away. However, any links to the “old” URL will need to be updated to the “new” URL sometime between June 1, 2022 and September 1, 2022. Unfortunately, this is not something that can be done automatically by SCLS staff. No URL updates should be done prior to June 1, 2022.

Where are the staff URLs saved?
Please take some time between now and June 1 to think about where your library may have saved URLs to Bibliovation. Some places where URLs might be stored are:

• Bookmarks in browsers on staff computers
• Shortcuts on staff computers
• Internal library websites that are only used by library staff
• Documentation and instructions that your library created for staff
• Receipt printer shortcuts on staff PCs
• Spine label shortcuts on staff PCs

How do I update the URLs?
For browser bookmarks and shortcuts, you can edit the existing bookmark/shortcut and replace the old URL with the new URL. You can also delete the existing bookmark/shortcut and create a new bookmark/shortcut with the new URL. For internal documentation or websites, you can do a find and replace to update the URLs.

How do I update the URL in the receipt and/or spine label printer Firefox profile shortcuts?
There are special procedures for updating the receipt and spine label printer shortcuts. Instructions are posted on the ILS Support Manuals page.

Can I use my library's unique Bibliovation URL?
Yes! In Bibliovation, each library can use a unique URL for staff as well as for patrons. Your library's unique URL is <agency code>.scls.bibliovation.com. (For example, the URL for SCA will be sca.scls.bibliovation.com.) If you use your library's unique URL, then your library's items will display first on the "Detail" screen of the bib record, the "Edit items" screen of the bib record, and on the "Item status" screen of the bib record.

What about the LINKcat URL?
The generic URL for LINKcat is www.linkcat.info. The www.linkcat.info URL is not changing. Each library also has a unique LINKcat URL, which can be used for patrons. Your library's unique LINKcat URL is <agency code>.linkcat.info. (For example, the unique URL for SCLS is sca.linkcat.info.) Always use <agency code>.linkcat.info for any patron-facing information. Please do not use the scls.bibliovation.com URL for any patron materials or websites. If you are copying and pasting URLs into websites or other patron materials, be sure that you are using <agency code>.linkcat.info instead of scls.bibliovation.com.

What does this mean for patrons?
Patrons should not notice a change. Patrons will still be able to use www.linkcat.info to access LINKcat. Patron PCs in the library will continue to take patrons into the library's custom-branded LINKcat instance.

I need more help with this
If you need help with updating bookmarks, shortcuts, or anything else, you can contact the Help Desk. See the Get Help page for information on contacting the Help Desk.

Special note about GetIt Acquisitions
Libraries who are using GetIt Acquisitions must continue to use their library's unique URL in order to use GetIt. The library's unique URL is <agency code>.scls.bibliovation.com.

7.00.19 Bibliovation Upgrade, Wednesday, Feb. 9

We are pleased to announce that there will be an update to Bibliovation after 9pm on Wednesday, February 9. The upgrade does not require system downtime. This release (7.00.19 and 7.00.20) includes fixes to Circulation, Cataloging, and GetIt Acquisitions. See the Release Notes for a full list of issues addressed in this upgrade.

This upgrade includes fixes that have been tested by SCLS staff. To the best of everyone’s assessment, the fixes are working well and any bugs identified during testing have been fixed. However, as we learned with past upgrades and patches, we may experience unexpected results following the upgrade. We may also discover new problems. We will use the Known Problems page to document any post upgrade problems. After the upgrade, please clear your browser cache before using Bibliovation.

Bibliovation 7.00.15 Upgrade: Monday, January 10, 2022 after 9pm

Bibliovation Upgrade

We are pleased to announce that there will be an update to Bibliovation starting at 9pm on Monday, January 10, 2022. The upgrade will require system downtime from approximately 9pm to midnight. This release (7.00.15) includes fixes to most modules of Bibliovation; however, most of the fixes are in Circulation. See the Release Notes for a full list of issues addressed in this upgrade. Some, but not all, of the fixes, changes, and new features are listed below.

This upgrade includes fixes that have been tested by SCLS staff and at some libraries. To the best of everyone’s assessment, the fixes are working well and any bugs identified during testing have been fixed. However, as we learned with past upgrades and patches, we may experience unexpected results following the upgrade. We may also discover new problems. We will use the Known Problems page to document any post upgrade problems. After the upgrade, please clear your browser cache before using Bibliovation.

High Priority Fixes

This release includes fixes for the following high-priority problems (these problems are also listed in the Release Notes):

• Reduced Transportation Holds not working
• Advanced search option "Only items currently available for loan or reference" includes items not available for loan
• In transit holds not counted as "active" holds on Patron Dashboard page
• Hold requests on Holds Queue report blocking walk-in check out on self check unit
• Patron data in left sidebar not cleared when using Clear screen button

Changes and New Features

This release also includes the following changes and new features (these changes are also listed in the Release Notes):

• Patron Group: (This feature will not be enabled until after the upgrade.) A new feature allows staff to link family members together. One patron record is designated as the Leader of the Group, and other family members are linked to it. (Please note that this does NOT work in conjunction with the linked accounts functionality in the Solus Mobile App.)
• Delete Patron functionality moved: Delete Patron functionality used to be located in the “More” button located on many of the Patron record screens. In Bibliovation this functionality was moved to the left screen menu list and an internal permission was added to designate which staff had the ability to delete patron records.
• Sort options now customizable: We now have the ability to customize the sort options that are displayed on the search results page.

Bibliovation upgrade (release 6.02.13) August 10, 2021 before 7am

We are pleased to announce that there will be an update to Bibliovation that will take place before 7am on Tuesday, August 10, 2021. The upgrade does not require system downtime, but there may be a brief interruption when services are restarted. If possible, please delay Bibliovation work until after 7am on Tuesday, August 10. This release (6.02.13) includes fixes to Circulation and Reports. See the Release Notes for a full list of issues addressed in this upgrade. 

This upgrade includes fixes that have been tested by SCLS staff. To the best of everyone’s assessment, the fixes are working well and any bugs identified during testing have been fixed. However, as we learned with past upgrades and patches, we may experience unexpected results following the upgrade. We may also discover new problems. We will use the Known Problems page to document any post upgrade problems. After the upgrade, please clear your browser cache before using Bibliovation on Tuesday morning (August 10).

NEW INFORMATION: Platform upgrade rescheduled for 7/27/2021.

As you know, LibLime had to abort the platform upgrade this week.  The date has been changed to the night of Tuesday, July 27.  

 

In the morning of Wednesday, July 28,  check your email and the SCLS status wiki to confirm the platform move was completed before accessing Bibliovation and before self-check/sorter libraries make the changes as previously instructed.

 

Best case scenario:

 

The move will begin at 9 pm CDT and complete by 7 am on Wednesday, July 28. Indexing will start. Libraries will have access to the system and may begin regular functions. Libraries can adjust their self-check and sorter settings and the other IP setting work will be completed by SCLS and the database vendors. Searching may be unreliable for much of the day until the re-indexing is complete.

 

Worst case scenario:

 

The move will begin at 9 pm CDT and allowed to continue until completed.  Libraries will not have access to the system and may not begin regular functions until we notify you. If the move is not complete by the time libraries start to open, they will need to use Offline Circulation or an alternative method to check out materials until the move is complete.  

• If your library uses Offline Circulation, confirm that each of your staff Check Out stations has the Firefox extension installed before 7/27.  The step-by-step instructions for installation and use of Offline Circulation is in the Circulation Manual, Section XV Offline Circulation.

Once the move is complete, Indexing will start. Libraries can adjust their self-check settings and other IP setting work will be completed by SCLS and the database vendors. Libraries will be able to access patron records, check out item to patrons and check in materials but searching may be unreliable for much of the day until the re-indexing is complete.

 

SCLS staff will provide ongoing communication via the SCLS status wiki and emails.

 

Thank you for your attention.

New date for Bibliovation server move

LibLime has rescheduled the Bibliovation server move. The move will now occur after 9 pm on Tuesday, July 27 and it will be “live” on the morning of Wednesday, July 28. The following services will be affected by this change: self-checks, sorters and security gate software, MyPC, e-Commerce, Talkingtech (Harriet), iBoss (internet filtering), SIP authenticated databases (OverDrive, Hoopla, etc.), SIP authenticated services (Capira), SCLS authentication script (other databases) and some reports. SCLS will work to make sure that services transition as smoothly as possible. There will be no change in functionality as a result of this transition.

On the morning of July 28, libraries using self-checks and sorters will need to make some setting changes in order for them to work on the new platform. Before making any changes, check the Status Wiki http://sclsstatus.pbworks.com/

Instructions on how to make these changes are available on the LINKcat ILS Support page for Selfchecks and RFID at https://www.scls.info/ils/circulation/Self%20check%20and%20RFID. Libraries should make sure that there is someone on staff who is able to make changes to self checks and sorters on the morning of July 28. All LINK libraries should be aware that this is a major change and may want to have staff on hand to handle any unexpected problems. The SCLS Help Desk Team will be fully staffed and ready to assist.

Special note about GetIt Acquisitions: GetIt will be unavailable all day on Wednesday, July 28.

The Bibliovation server move will take place overnight on July 27, but the GetIt databases will not be moved until overnight on July 28. Therefore, while Bibliovation itself will be available on July 28, GetIt will not be available on July 28.

Library staff should be able to use GetIt as usual on Thursday, July 29. However, please check the SCLS Status Wiki on July 29 before resuming normal GetIt work. If there are any problems with GetIt after the move, they will be posted on the Status Wiki.

 

LibLime has rescheduled the Bibliovation server move. The move will now occur after 9 pm on Tuesday, July 27 and it will be “live” on the morning of Wednesday, July 28. The following services will be affected by this change: self-checks, sorters and security gate software, MyPC, e-Commerce, Talkingtech (Harriet), iBoss (internet filtering), SIP authenticated databases (OverDrive, Hoopla, etc.), SIP authenticated services (Capira), SCLS authentication script (other databases) and some reports. SCLS will work to make sure that services transition as smoothly as possible. There will be no change in functionality as a result of this transition.

On the morning of July 28, libraries using self-checks and sorters will need to make some setting changes in order for them to work on the new platform. Before making any changes, check the Status Wiki http://sclsstatus.pbworks.com/

Instructions on how to make these changes are available on the LINKcat ILS Support page for Selfchecks and RFID at https://www.scls.info/ils/circulation/Self%20check%20and%20RFID. Libraries should make sure that there is someone on staff who is able to make changes to self checks and sorters on the morning of July 28. All LINK libraries should be aware that this is a major change and may want to have staff on hand to handle any unexpected problems. The SCLS Help Desk Team will be fully staffed and ready to assist.

Special note about GetIt Acquisitions: GetIt will be unavailable all day on Wednesday, July 28.

The Bibliovation server move will take place overnight on July 27, but the GetIt databases will not be moved until overnight on July 28. Therefore, while Bibliovation itself will be available on July 28, GetIt will not be available on July 28.

Library staff should be able to use GetIt as usual on Thursday, July 29. However, please check the SCLS Status Wiki on July 29 before resuming normal GetIt work. If there are any problems with GetIt after the move, they will be posted on the Status Wiki.

 

Bibliovation Upgrade April 22, 2021 (release 6.02.12)

We are pleased to announce that there will be an update to Bibliovation starting at 9pm on Thursday, April 22. The upgrade does not require system downtime. This release (6.02.12) includes fixes to Circulation, Cataloging, and the Discovery Layer. See the Release Notes for a full list of issues addressed in this upgrade. 

This upgrade includes fixes that have been tested by SCLS staff. To the best of everyone’s assessment, the fixes are working well and any bugs identified during testing have been fixed. However, as we learned with past upgrades and patches, we may experience unexpected results following the upgrade. We may also discover new problems. We will use the Known Problems page to document any post upgrade problems. After the upgrade, please clear your browser cache before using Bibliovation on Friday morning (April 23).

Bibliovation upgrade December 7, 9 pm

Bibliovation Upgrade

We are pleased to announce that there will be an update to Bibliovation starting at 9 pm on Monday, December 7. The upgrade does not require system downtime. This release (6.02.04) includes fixes to all modules of Bibliovation. See the Release Notes for a full list of issues addressed in this upgrade. Some, but not all, of the fixes, changes, and new features are listed below.

This upgrade includes fixes that have been tested by SCLS staff and at some libraries. To the best of everyone’s assessment, the fixes are working well and any bugs identified during testing have been fixed. However, as we learned with past upgrades and patches, we may experience unexpected results following the upgrade. We may also discover new problems. We will use the Known Problems page to document any post upgrade problems. After the upgrade, please clear your browser cache before using Bibliovation.

High Priority Fixes

This release includes fixes for the following high-priority problems (these problems are also listed in the Release Notes):

• Add Author field to the Title column in the Holds Queue report
• Add Copy number to the Holds Queue report
• Fast BIB Add default library
• Patrons with large volume of transactions have slow response times: Please note that our testing in the sandbox showed an increase in the response time speed. However, we will not close this ticket with LibLime until this fix is implemented and tested in the Bibliovation production database.

Changes and New Features

This release also includes the following changes and new features (these changes are also listed in the Release Notes):

• Normal tab now called Detail tab: The “Normal” tab on a bibliographic record is now labeled as “Detail.” The change will be reflected in manuals and training materials.
• Page navigation (pager) added to resolve response time problems for bibs with many items: In order to address response time problems on bibliographic records with many items, "pagers" of 20 items have been added in multiple places if a bib record has more than 30 items attached. This means that after the first 20 items on the record, the user will have to page through to the next set of 20 items. You can still search for individual items by item barcode and you can sort the entire list of items by clicking on the column headers. The pagers have been added in the following places:
  • If an individual library has more than 30 items on a bib record, then there is a pager on the Details and Edit Items pages. This would most likely occur only on the library's GENERIC records.
  • If there are more than 30 items on the entire bib record, then there is a pager on the Item Statuses page.
  • If there are more than 30 items on the entire bib record, then a pager appears on the title's details page in the LINKcat Discovery Layer. 
  • Please note that you can see your library's items first by using your library's custom Bibliovation URL. To use your library's custom URL, enter your agency code at the beginning of the URL. For example, a staff URL would be sca.scls.kohalibrary.com and a patron URL would be sca.linkcat.info.
• Page navigation (pager) added to resolve response time problems for bibs with many holds: In order to address response time problems on bibliographic records with many holds, "pagers" of 10 holds have been added to the list of holds on the bib record. To search the entire list of Holds, click the “Show All” button and enter your search parameter in the "Existing holds" Search field, or sort by the column headers. 
• Page navigation (pager) added to resolve response time problems for patrons with large volume of transactions: If a patron has more than 30 items checked out, then the patron record displays only the 30 most recent checkouts by default. There is a "View all" link that will display the full list of checkouts. This does not affect the checkouts display in the LINKcat patron dashboard. It only affects the staff display.
• Advanced Patron Search page: LibLime has added an additional “Search Patrons” button at the top of field list in the Advanced Patron Search page.
• OPAC/Staff notes in subscriptions now visible outside of Serials module in staff client: OPAC and Staff notes can now be seen while viewing a bibliographic record associated with a serials record in the staff view only.
• Renewals for serials subscriptions: There is now a section in the Serials module called Renewals. It will show subscriptions at a library that are close to their expiration date and gives options to extend and change the dates.

SURVEY: One more round of patron record expiration date extensions

At the 8/25 Circulation Services Subcommittee meeting members had an extended conversation about the enormous number of patron records that are due to expire on October 1, 2020 and how to handle them.  As of today, there are 54,626 patron records with an expiration date of 10/1/2020.

 

These records originally had expiration dates set between 3/17/2020 and 9/30/2020.

 

The CSS proposed the following schedule of events to help libraries deal with this large number of expiring patron records:

 

Send out a survey to LINKcat libraries offering to extend the patron expiration dates one more time.

The two dates to be offered will be November 1, 2020 and February 1, 2021.

Responses to the survey are due by noon on September 7, 2020, in order to submit the work requests to LibLime staff in a timely manner.

 

Here is the link to the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1-FS_uMmk9cZpdaXGCmYXoPhsrh5bt_646DYdPjMbhY1DoQ/viewform?usp=pp_url

 

Once the expiration dates have been extended, we will follow this schedule for delivering "pre-expiration" notices to patrons that have email addresses:

 

Send a "pre-expiration" notice to patrons with an expiration date of November 1, 2020 (only) on October 1, 2020.  This will give them 4 weeks to contact their library and renew their record.

 

Send a "pre-expiration" notice to patrons with an expiration date between November 2, 2020 to November 30 to the patrons on October 12, 2020. This will give them 2+ weeks to contact their library and renew their record.

 

Send a "pre-expiration" notice to patrons with an expiration date between December 1, 2020 to December 31 to the patrons on November 16, 2020. This will give them 2+ weeks to contact their library and renew their record.

 

Send a "pre-expiration" notice to patrons with an expiration date between January 1, 2021 to January 31, 2021 to the patrons on December 14, 2021. This will give them 2+ weeks to contact their library and renew their record.

 

Send a "pre-expiration" notice to patrons with an expiration date of February 1, 2021 (only) on January 4, 2021.  This will give them 4 weeks to contact their library and renew their record.

 

Send a "pre-expiration" notice to patrons with an expiration date between February 2, 2021 to February 28, 2021 to the patrons on January 18, 2021.  This will give them 2+ weeks to contact their library and renew their record.