Computer Updates

From Robert Bliss 7/9/13:

I started the Update this past Saturday.

It does not have an expiration date, so whenever you can do this, it will start the update.

I am going to be using this system to update all the public computers, I know everyone will not be able to do it the same day of the week, but if we can do this within the same week, that would work. This is a much better program to use since all the computers are not on at the same time. I will let each of you know, when and what updates I will be pushing out to them.

Also a heads up, the new public reservation computers will have Deep Freeze on them, so you will be leaving them on at night when you leave, and after updates to windows and the anti-virus completes it will turn them off some nights. So please leave all public and staff computers on at night. The staff ones do not need to be logged in, just left on.

Again thanks for your help with this.

I know we will be getting fewer complaints from the public, when we get all the computers up to date.

Pedro

Staff Lockers

Hello everyone,

Pedro found some locks in his office that are intended to be used by staff at each location on the lockers.  If you would like to use one, please email Pedro.  You’ll be given a key, and he’ll have the spare.

Thanks,

Carol

Offline Update

From Syma 7/5:

Any items that you receive in Delivery to fill holds should be held until we go live in Symphony next week.  Until that time, we have no way to update the system with their status or notify customers that they are ready to pick up.  So please keep them in your work area for the next week.  Once we are live on Symphony, you can scan them in so that a hold slip will print and the notices to the customers will be generated.  Thank you for your cooperation.

The Print Shop is working on signs as well as handouts that highlight our change in circulation periods.  You should receive these by July 11, our “go-live” date.  In the meantime, the information has been posted on the Library’s public blog.  You may want to print out some copies of page 2 of the blog (according to the print preview on my computer, the blog runs 20 pages) and refer customers there, if there are any questions.

I have also heard that staff would like a sign indicating we are not accepting fines while we are offline.  I am sorry but I did not think to request that ahead of time and, with the holiday, you would probably not receive it until we were ready to start accepting fines again.  If a customer asks, please explain that we do not have access to their accounts.  We certainly do not want to accept their money and not have the ability to actually clear the fines from their accounts. 

I hope everyone made it through the first day of offline circulation with relatively few problems.  Have a wonderful 4^th of July holiday. 

Pedro

SirsiDynix User Names and Passwords

From Syma Zerkow, 7/1:

You will soon be receiving an email from Erin Cody that will have your new SirsiDynix user name and password.  Please do not lose this information.  Starting July 11, you will need it to log in to the live Symphony Workflows system.

If you have not received an email with this information by Friday, July 5, please contact Erin at erin.cody@houstontx.gov

Pedro

ILL Holds

ILL holds can be checked in while offline but you must contact the customer to let them know that it is here for them to pick up.

Pedro

SirsiDynix Symphony Offline Circulation Procedures

From Fred 7/2/13:

Greetings everyone.

Tomorrow is the day we begin conducting all circulation transactions (check outs, check ins, registrations) in the Sirsidynix Symphony Offline Circulation.  Instructions for opening and setting up the Symphony Offline Circulation module is:

https://cohowa.houstontx.gov/owa/attachment.ashx?attach=1&id=RgAAAADMoulUvUHRSoH4N56aqb17BwCHKRnWc1dvTKFzlflnjTfyAABonAO0AACf4OBHoJWARpbT7dX1QPBlAh2%2fLqgKAAAJ&attid0=EACduf9isDpbQbwY7A%2bgGOhN&attcnt=1 

You will need to follow the procedures in the attachment for each computer on which you conduct offline circulation transactions from 07/03/13 through 07/10/13.  

The following are the due dates to set for “Default due date” in step 6 d:

on 07/03/13, set the default due date to 07/24/13

on 07/04/13, we’re closed for the holiday.  Do not set a default due date.

on 07/05/13, set the default due date to 07/26/13

on 07/06/13, set the default due date to 07/27/13

on 07/07/13, set the default due date to 07/28/13

on 07/08/13, set the default due date to 07/29/13

on 07/09/13, set the default due date to 07/30/13

on 07/10/13, set the default due date to 07/31/13

For sites with Self Check and Materials Sorters, you need to also do the following:

Self Checks – leave the self check units turned on, but put Out Of Order signs on them and direct customers to Symphony Offline Circulation stations for service.

Materials Sorters – turn them off at the close of business today (07/02/13).

Thank you for your assistance with this.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Circulation Administration Department.  We will be delighted to help in any way that we are able.

Pedro

Limited Patron Database Access

From Fred 7/2/13:

Hello everyone.

We have some good news to share with you regarding patron database access during the offline migration period – 07/03/13 through 07/10/13.  Along with our colleagues in HALAN, we have figured out a way to make a stripped down version of the III database available to you during the time we will be circulating in Symphony Offline Circulation. 

Between on 07/03/13 and 07/10/13 (inclusive), you will login to Symphony Offline Circulation to provide basic circulation services to customers – Registration, Check Out and Check In.  You will not conduct any financial transactions with customers during this period.  Since the Symphony system will be operating in Offline Mode, you will not be connected to the Symphony server and will be unable to search the user database for customer accounts.  While the III system will no longer be available for circulation services, however, it will still be available to search to determine whether a registering customer already has an HPL account, to see whether a customer has fines owed and, if so, how much is owed.  This will also provide a means by which you can look up a customer’s library card barcode number,  which will be required to circulate to the customer in Symphony.  Keep in mind, though, the III system will not be available for conducting circulation transactions of any type during this period.  It will ONLY be available for informational purposes until the Symphony system becomes fully operational on 07/11/13.

We are delighted to be able to offer this limited access to the III patron database from 07/03/13 through 07/10/13.  I hope this additional tool alleviates some of the frustration and inconvenience of the offline migration period for you and your customers.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Circulation Administration Department at 832-393-2222 (option 3) or email us at circinfo@hpl.lib.tx.us.  We will be happy to assist you in any way we are able.

Pedro