Check In/Out Update for Symphony. There have been some reports on items not checking in or out...
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Check In/Out Update for Symphony
Check In/Out Update for Symphony. There have been some reports on items not checking in or out properly. Reports consist of the check-in/check-out process,
There have been some reports on items not checking in or out
properly. Reports consist of the check-in/check-out process, where
books are randomly not being recorded as checked-in or checked-out.
We have analyzed the issue from two main perspectives;
Connectivity, and Software and Use.
Slide 3
Connectivity Because the program is an online program; local
network, wide area network, and Internet congestion or failure does
affect the operations. So we analyzed connectivity to determine if
it could be affecting the check-in and check-out activity failure
(books not recorded as scanned).
Slide 4
Connectivity Actions We contracted with an independent
programmer and consultant to analyze the connectivity and to set up
a custom designed terminal connection solution that bypassed the
client software on the computers entirely and also any reliance on
the network being constantly available. This solution seemed to
work better when network disruptions did occur.
Slide 5
Connectivity Findings What we found was, operations were
interrupted when networks were interrupted, error messages were
produced, and librarians had to log backin, but books didnt appear
to be skipped.
Slide 6
Connectivity - Solution If sites have connectivity problems, we
can implement the terminal software and connection solution to
minimize the connectivity problems caused by network and
connectivity problems.
Slide 7
Software and Use To analyze the software functions we sent
consultants to sites to observe the processes. We gathered as much
information from logs and the librarians as we could. Worked the
issues through with SIRSI several times and worked through their
suggestions.
Slide 8
Software and Use - Findings When a book is scanned and a pop-up
message appears on the screen to inform the librarian that a book
has a hold on it, a fine is due, etc., the librarian would normally
address the issue on the screen and press Enter before checking
in/checking out the next item. If the librarian does not address
the issue on the screen and just scans the next item, then the
process of scanning the next item acts as an input to the on-screen
message rather than scanning the item. The transaction for the
second item is then ignored and thus the second item is NOT checked
in or out, but rather skipped. If the pop-up requires multiple
clicks to address the pop-up then multiple books may be
skipped.
Slide 9
Software and Use - Actions We addressed this finding with
SIRSI. Sirsi states that this is indeed the case and it is a part
of the basic design of the program. Sirsi states that librarians do
need to address any pop-up messages before continuing. This has
been included as part of the instructions included in both SIRSI
and ESC training sessions.
Slide 10
Software and Use In checking further with districts using other
library programs, this appears to be a common behavior for several
library automation systems, including Athena, the system used by
librarians before migrating to Sirsi/Dynixs Symphony.
Slide 11
Software and Use - Actions None-the-less we have asked SIRSI to
address this issue further. Their response is that they will
consult with product development to see if there can be any
programming changes in a future version. That would not happen
though in the near future. It would have to be programmed and then
release in an annual update.
Slide 12
Software and Use - Solutions Librarians need to address pop-up
messages before continuing to scan the next item. In WorkFlows
Check In, a different sound can be associated with the message box
alerting the person scanning items to look at the screen and
respond to the message box before scanning the next item. This
option is customizable site-by- site. In WorkFlows, many of the
message boxes can be turned off by the system administrator and is
customizable site-by- site. The information that would have
appeared in the message box, is retained and can be accessed at a
later time.
Slide 13
Software and Use - Solutions In WorkFlows, there is another
option for checking items in called Checkin Bookdrop. Checkin
Bookdrop allows for multiple item check in with fewer pop-up
message boxes appearing during the scanning process. All items
checked in will appear in the Discharge List for the librarian to
review after the scanning process for overdues, holds, etc. There
are NO sounds to alert the librarian during the scanning process
are available with this option. We have tested this with one test
site and the librarian indicates that it is MUCH, MUCH
better.)
Slide 14
Software and Use - Solutions In StaffWeb Client, the Quick
Checkin feature allows the person to rapidly scan all items without
responding to any pop-up messages. Any items requiring additional
processing will appear in the Exception column on the screen
allowing the librarian to take care of these if necessary after all
items are checked in.
Slide 15
Software and Use Solutions *PLEASE NOTE* There is no way to
eliminate the item not found in catalog pop up with either wizard.
(This applies to the Checkin Wizard and the Checkin Bookdrop
Wizard.) Also, there is no way to completely eliminate the bill pop
up in the Discharge/Checkin wizard. (This applies to the Checkin
Wizard.) There is no way to eliminate the lost item alert (a pop
up) with either wizard. (This applies to the Checkin Wizard and the
Checkin Bookdrop Wizard.)
Slide 16
Summary - Connectivity Connectivity: If sites have connectivity
problems, we can implement the terminal software and connection
solution to minimize the connectivity problems caused by network
and connectivity problems. Software and Use: Librarians need to
address pop-up messages before continuing to scan the next item.
Different Sounds can be programmed by site to alert librarians to
address pop-ups. Most Pop-ups can be turned off. Librarians can use
the Check-in Bookdrop. Librarians can use StaffWeb Client Quick
Checkin feature.
Slide 17
Summary Software and Use Software and Use: Librarians need to
address pop-up messages before continuing to scan the next item.
Different Sounds can be programmed by site to alert librarians to
address pop-ups. Most Pop-ups can be turned off. Librarians can use
the Check-in Bookdrop. Librarians can use StaffWeb Client Quick
Checkin feature.
Slide 18
Causes of a popup at Check In Item has special routing
instructions, such as return to reserve desk. Item needs to be
transited. Item is trapped for a hold. Item is not charged. Item
not found in catalog. * User who had item is Delinquent, Blocked,
or Barred. Discharge of item results in an overdue bill. ** Item is
claimed or assumed lost. *** * There is no way to eliminate the
item not found in catalog popup with either Checkin or Checkin
Bookdrop wizard. ** There is no way to completely eliminate the
bill popup in the Checkin wizard. *** There is no way to eliminate
the lost item alert with either either Checkin or Checkin Bookdrop
wizard.
Slide 19
Sound Alerts in WorkFlows With the Checkin wizard, a sound
alert can accompany the following pop ups: Item needs to be
transited. Item is trapped for a hold. Item is not charged. Item
not found in catalog. User who had item is Delinquent, Blocked, or
Barred. Sound Alerts are NOT available with the Checkin Bookdrop
Items wizard or in Staff Web Client.
Slide 20
Staff Web Client In the Staff Web client, there is a Quick
Check In option that eliminates the popup messages. The popup
information is available in the Exception column of the discharge
list.
Slide 21
Checkin Wizard Properties Warning if user delinquent Checked:
popup appears if user delinquent, blocked or barred. Cleared: no
indication Display item not checked out error in a separate window
Checked: popup appears if item not checked out Cleared: message in
discharge list Display bill warning for every item Checked: popup
appears if overdue fine being billed Cleared: popup appears for the
first of a users check ins with overdue fine being billed Display
instructions Checked: popup with routing information Cleared:
location in Route/Transit To column Display hold instructions
Checked: popup with trap hold information Cleared: HOLDS in
Route/Transit To column of discharge list Display in transit
instructions Checked: popup appears with transit information
Cleared: to library appears in Route/Transit To column
Slide 22
Checkin Bookdrop Items Wizard Properties Display instructions
Checked: popup with routing information Cleared: location in
Route/Transit To column Display hold instructions Checked: popup
with trap hold information Cleared: HOLDS in Route/Transit To
column Display in transit instructions Checked: popup appears with
transit information Cleared: to library appears in Route/Transit To
column Display item not checked out error in a separate window
Checked: pop-up appears if item not checked out Cleared: message in
discharge list Warning if user billed Checked: popup appears if
overdue fine being billed Cleared: bill amount appears in Amount
Billed column