LINKcat News

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.

Directions for updating selfchecks and sorters--Rescheduled to July 28th

The server move was reschduled and the libraries will need to do the selfcheck and sorter updates on the morning of July 28th.

In case you missed it, we announced there was a major change coming for Bibliovation on July 21st 28th.  LibLime will be moving a number of our services to a new hardware platform. This does mean that on the morning of July 21st 28th, libraries using selfchecks and sorters will have to make changes to the setup so that their equipment connects to the new URLs.

The directions for updating the server information for selfchecks and sorters are now posted on the LINKcat ILS Support page for Selfchecks and RFID at https://www.scls.info/ils/circulation/Self%20check%20and%20RFID

Library staff will need to follow these directions to update the SIP server URL on their selfchecks and sorters on July 21st 28th. SCLS staff will be available to help if there are problems but our staff can only remote into one selfcheck at a time so we are not able to do everyone’s update for them in a reasonable time frame. Libraries need to have a staff member available to do the update that morning.

We will be posting any updates on the move to the SCLS Status Wiki on July 21st 28th. http://sclsstatus.pbworks.com/ Please check the wiki before proceeding.

Save the date!--major change to LibLime platform

LibLime will be moving some Bibliovation services to a new platform. This will 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 21, libraries using self-checks and sorters will need to make some setting changes in order for them to work on the new platform. Instructions on how to make these changes will be sent out prior to the update. 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 21. 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. 

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).

Reporting intermittent response time problems and short-term slowdowns in Bibliovation

To address ongoing reports of intermittent response time problems in Bibliovation, we have created a form so that libraries can log the problems they experience on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

In order to provide the most specific information possible to LibLime about these response time problems, we need libraries to report them when they occur, and with as many details as possible. We are asking libraries to fill out this form to record dates, times, modules, etc. that are experiencing intermittent response time problems and short-term slowdowns.

Please do not use this form to report urgent problems with Bibliovation. 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). 

You can find a link to both the Response time form and information about contacting the Help Desk on the ILS Support home page. 

Bibliovation upgrade February 10, 2021

We are pleased to announce that there will be an update to Bibliovation after 9 pm on Wednesday, February 10. The upgrade does not require system downtime. This release (6.02.09) includes a couple of Circulation fixes. See the Release Notes for more information on the fixes.

IMPORTANT: After the upgrade, on Thursday, February 11, please clear your browser cache before using Bibliovation.

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.

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. 

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.

Updates to GetIt Acquisitions Manual

Some updates to the GetIt Acquisitions Manual are available.

Section VI: Orders

• Added instructions to Part G (Searching and Linking PO Lines) for using the Fill-in Search button in the PO Line to search and link PO Lines to bib records in Bibliovation. 
• https://www.scls.info/sites/www.scls.info/files/svi-orders.pdf

Section VIII: Invoices and Credit Memos

• Added more detail and screenshots to entire section.
• https://www.scls.info/sites/www.scls.info/files/sviii-invoices-creditmemos.pdf

Bibliovation staff URL redirect expires May 15, 2020

When we migrated from Koha to Bibliovation, the staff URL changed from scls-staff.kohalibary.com to scls.kohalibrary.com. LibLime has been redirecting the old URL to the new URL, but this will expire on May 15, 2020. Therefore, any links to the "old" URL will need to be updated to the "new" URL. Unfortunately, this is not something that can be done automatically by SCLS staff. This change only affects library staff links to Bibliovation - it does not affect links to LINKcat for patrons.

Where are the staff URLs saved?

Please take some time between now and May 15 to think about where your library may have saved URLs to the Koha staff client (now 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

Of course, due to current library closures it may not be possible to update bookmarks and shortcuts on staff PCs right now. It's fine if you cannot update these saved URLs before May 15! You can make the updates when you return to your library.

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 at: https://www.scls.info/sites/www.scls.info/files/changing-the-url-in-printerprofiles.pdf.

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.kohalibrary.com. (For example, the URL for SCLS is sca.scls.kohalibrary.com.) If you use your library's unique URL, then your library's items will display first on the "Normal" 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. 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 *.linkcat.info for any patron-facing information. Please do not use the scls.kohalibrary.com URL for anything that patrons will see.

I need 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

The URLs for GetIt Acquisitions were not redirected from Koha to Bibliovation. Libraries who are using GetIt Acquisitions must use their library's unique URL in order to use GetIt. The library's unique URL is <agency code>.scls.kohalibrary.com.