LINKcat News

Talpa search available for LINKcat

Talpa is an experimental, AI-powered, "plain language" search that allows you to search LINKcat in ways that are different from traditional searching. We have access to Talpa through our enhanced content provider, Syndetics Unbound (enhanced content includes cover art, series information, reviews, about the author, etc.). Here are some examples of Talpa searches:

• astronaut stranded on mars
• time travel novel with blue cover

We are able to try out Talpa for one year but we don't know what will happen after the year is done. During this time, the vendor will be gathering information about how well Talpa is working, and may or may not continue the service.

The Talpa search link is available on the LINKcat Help page. From here, either patrons or staff can use Talpa. For more information on how the Talpa search works, go to https://www.talpa.ai/.

Bibliovation Upgrade, May 16, 8pm

We are pleased to announce that there will be an update to Bibliovation starting at 8pm on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. This update will require system downtime of about one hour. This release, 7.02.34, includes fixes to all areas of Bibliovation (except Serials). 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):

• Check in: message about Item barcode not in system (API error)
• Offline Circulation timestamp off by 5 hours
• Caching/retaining search parameters
• Staff View of patron Reading Record - incomplete displays
• Selfcheck renewals by scanning item in checkout mode do not work
• Checkouts made from selfchecks have a timestamp 6 hours ahead
• Editing Item from Item Statuses page
• Bibliovation not retaining text of deleted Lost items
• Items with a Lost status (Lost, Trace, Missing) must be checked in before allowing checkout
• Account Receipt will not generate if certain charges are in the record

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 functionality
• Proxy Borrowing
• Patron Merge
• Patron Delete

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.

New LINKcat Mobile App available now

The new LINKcat Mobile App is now available for both staff and patrons as of June 1, 2021. For more details on how to access the app, check the LINKcat Mobile FAQ for staff page. For questions about using the app, see LINKcat Help.

Bibliovation upgrade January 11, 2021

We are pleased to announce that there will be an update to Bibliovation after 9 pm on Monday, January 11. The upgrade does not require system downtime. This release (6.02.07) includes a couple of Circulation fixes. See the Release Notes for more information on the fixes.

IMPORTANT: After the upgrade, on Tuesday, January 12, please clear your browser cache before using Bibliovation.

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. 

The LINKcat launcher script is going away!

You read that right - the LINKcat launcher script will be discontinued when we upgrade to Bibliovation starting at 9pm on December 6, 2019. After many, many years of service, the time has come to put the launcher script to rest.

Why are we discontinuing the launcher script?

Due to changes in technology and access to computers and mobile devices, the launcher script has outlived its original purpose. At the time the script was developed, the only computers available at the library for patrons were patron PCs on the SCLS network. SCLS staff developed the script to look at the computer's IP address, determine which library the patron was located in, and then place the patron into the correct library-branded LINKcat instance. As time went on, access to computers became more open, and patrons began bringing their own laptops and mobile devices to the library. These machines were not on the SCLS network, so the launcher script did not know that the patrons were physically in the library, and those patrons were not placed into the correct library-branded LINKcat instance. Instead, they were treated as "remote" patrons, meaning that they were placed into the "generic" LINKcat instance and they did not see the library's custom branding in LINKcat.

What does this mean for library staff?

The discontinuation of the LINKcat launcher script means that library staff will not be required to use the launcher script URL when adding links to LINKcat on library web sites. For many years, library staff have been required to use the "URL Scrubber" to make all LINKcat links launcher script URL-friendly. The URL Scrubber will be retired at the same time as the LINKcat launcher script, because there won't be a need to "scrub" the links.

Instead of using the "URL Scrubber" to generate LINKcat links, library staff will be able to copy and paste links from LINKcat. Library staff will have the option to use www.linkcat.info (which will continue to be the "generic" non-branded version of LINKcat) OR library staff can use their library's custom URL, which will be agy.linkcat.info, where "agy" is your library's three-letter code (for example, the URL for SUN will be sun.linkcat.info). 

Will LINKcat still show my library's name and logo?

Yes! Library staff will be able to use their library's custom URL of agy.linkcat.info, which will display the library's name and logo. The library's custom URL will also display the library’s items first in the list of items for each title. Please note that currently these are the only two things that are different when using the library's custom URL. The patron's home library, default pickup location, or ability to place holds will not be affected in any way by using the library's custom URL.

Will the existing LINKcat links using the launcher script still work?

Yes! SCLS staff have developed a process that will automatically redirect launcher script links into LINKcat. This redirect will work for the vast majority of existing launcher script links (testing showed that less than one percent of launcher script links failed with the redirect).

What does this mean for patrons?

Most patrons will not notice a change. Patrons who have existing links saved that happened to be using the launcher script will still be able to use those links. Patrons will still be able to use www.linkcat.info to access LINKcat. Library staff are free to tell patrons about the custom library's URL if they choose, and patrons could use that custom URL either in the library or at home. Patron PCs in the library will continue to take patrons into the library's custom-branded LINKcat instance.

What do I do if I have questions or problems?

You can call the SCLS Help Desk or use the SCLS Help Desk Portal to report any LINKcat-related problems or ask questions.

Save the date for Bibliovation demos!

On October 31, SCLS ILS staff will do demonstrations of Bibliovation for member library staff. We guarantee it will be "treats", not "tricks"! The demos will be at SCLS Headquarters, with sessions in the morning that are repeated in the afternoon. Demonstrated will be Circulation, Technical Services and the Discovery Layer. 

New: Libraries able to modify check out rules for EQUIP item type.

During the March 14, 2017 meeting, the Circulation Services subcommittee (CSC) proposed that the EQUIP item type (walk-in checkout only) become a "wild card" and allow each library to modify all of the circulation issuing rule (CIR) parameters for that item type. The ILS Committee approved this recommendation at the April 5, 2017 meeting.  Libraries can change the CIR parameters to use as needed for circulations requiring exceptions outside of the current standards.  However, this item type will still not allow renewals as that is a setting of the item type itself, instead of a CIR parameter.

For example, Library A could use this item type for their SEEDs, with no holds and 180 loan period, and Library B could use this item type for their hotspots, with 28 day loan period and holds allowed only for patrons with the Library B Home library. 

Please read the March 14 CSC meeting minutes and feel free to contact any of the Committee members if you have any questions.  To submit changes for your library's circulation rules for your EQUIP item type, please use the Circulation Issuing Rules Change request form and add additional parameter changes (loan period, hold policy) to the "Additional Instructions/Information" box.

Putting a Cost Savings calculator on your Check Out receipt

Holly at Belleville wanted a way to express to patrons how much money they saved by checking out items at the library, instead of purchasing the items themselves.

She found a Cost Savings calculator, through the Koha support community, that provides a total of the replacement charges for the items checked out and displays it on the Check Out receipt.  They are using it at Belleville for their Quick Slip and are now sharing it with you.

NOTE!  The best way to insert this into your Check Out receipt template is to copy this text and PASTE IT INTO NOTEPAD and THEN copy it from Notepad and paste it into your template.  Notepad removes any extraneous characters or formatting.

Most libraries must use their admin login to access the Receipt Template Manager in the Koha Tools (also see the manual). I recommend testing this in the Sandbox FIRST and then applying to your receipts in Production.  If you have any questions submit a ticket, send me an email or give me a call.  If you don't have anyone on staff able to change the receipt templates we can do it for you.  Heidi O.

</p>
<span class="price" style="display: none;"><<items.replacementprice>></span>
<<EndTodaysIssuesList>>
<p style="text-align:center;">Cost of buying these items:<br/>
$<span id="price"></span><br/>
Cost of using the library:<br/>
Priceless!<br/></p>
<script type="text/javascript">
var x = document.getElementsByClassName("price");
var i;
var total = 0;
for (i = 0; i < x.length; i++) {
   var cost = parseFloat( x[i].innerHTML );
   if ( ! isNaN( cost ) ) {total += cost;}}
document.getElementById("price").innerHTML = total.toFixed(2);
</script>

LINKcat and HTTPS

On Wednesday, June 3, LINKcat will be converted to HTTPS. The change will be done by 9 am. This will not affect LINKcat connectivity. Patrons and staff can continue to use LINKcat as normal during this time.

Why are we doing this?

LINKcat is converting to HTTPS to increase Internet security. HTTPS is a secure version of the same protocol that is used for communication between the browser on your computer and the web server of the website that you are visiting. When you use a banking or online shopping website, you do not want the information that you type into the browser (such as your username/password and credit card info) to be intercepted when you type it into the browser and send it to the web server. In the same way, we want to lower the possibility that information could be intercepted when people are using LINKcat. NOTE: The LINKcat e-commerce feature has been HTTPS-compliant since its inception.

How will this affect LINKcat use and access?

The majority of people will not notice any changes. Some people may notice that the browser bar now has a lock. In some browsers, the HTTPS-compliance will be more apparent than others, so if you don't see a lock, it is probably because your browser does not make it obvious. People who are using very old browsers may have problems using LINKcat. Any users who report problems with accessing and using LINKcat should upgrade their browser and/or try using another browser. See the Accessing LINKcat help page for more information. If you encounter problems with using LINKcat after the HTTPS conversion that are not solved by upgrading the browser and/or using a different browser, please report the problems to SCLS.