Please feel free to post your comments on the answers below or for any of the features listed to the right. We're hoping that if we can get you, the people who use the online catalog, to speak up and say what features you'd like to have available, we can get a system that the majority of our customers will be happy with.
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38 comments:
I realize the problem of where you are in the hold line but I would still like to see it. Also when I request from VirCat and dont get the item I would like to know why. I get a lot of films and have been getting a lot of refusals weeks later but only receive 'unavailable' or something like that. Would like a reason. If you allow the request and the film exists why is it rejected. I'm sure there others with the same problem.
You're right about other people wanting to know why they aren't able to get an item through the Virtcat. I left out virtcat comments from this blog because we don't have control over the software and realize it's very limited in what it can do.
The other networks have their own lending policies and many won't loan multimedia items. SAILS is a net borrower - we always borrow much more than we lend, so we tend to not bother the other networks about their policies, plus they have limits to what they lend between their own member libraries. It would be great to be able to get the reason for the unfillable notice, but more often than not, it's because of their lending policies. Follow this link for a list of the policies.
Hello, SAILS --
Not being from the SAILS area, I would to see, at the hit list, member libraries listed by town, then (if desired) by that library's name. i.e. at the hit list, I see copies at Boyden Library. Where is that? An out-of-towner doesn't know ... Minuteman lists its libraries by town, because one can't assume an outsider knows Goodnow is really Sudbury.
Other than that, SAILS is a wonderful network ...
Thank you for your comment. Each library decides how they want their name to appear. Some have chosen to put their town with their name, others not. We'll be sure our libraries read this observation and take it into consideration.
It would be nice to be able to have an option to view only items that are currently available (checked in) instead of all.
I would like to be able to search a 'personal group' of libraries. Right now I can search either 1 library or all libraries.
It would be nice to be able to do my search in a group of libraries that I create. For instance, I would create a group of libraries that are within driving distance to me.
That's an interesting idea. We currently have groups of libraries to search. These are grouped by a main library and the branches or sometimes by geographic location. These are available on the advanced search page, but nothing that you can configure yourself and save.
It would be a benefit if digital audio books could be returned, rather than having to keep them checked out until they expire.
I agree with a previous poster, regarding the comment on "if you liked this book try this one". When looking for a book, I will often do this exact thing on Amazon.com, then look for that suggested book on Sails. This feature would save me this step, AND have the benefit of recommending only books that are in the library system.
This is a service that used to be available, but the publishers didn't like the idea, thinking that people would be making copies of the books, rather than realize that they just don't like the book they checked out or finished it. We've never really understood it, nor has Overdrive, but this is not allowed.
We will ask again, seeing how the whole downloadable books service and allowing people to view parts of books online for free (Amazon & publisher sites) has become so mainstream. If that's not an option, we can think about increasing the number of titles we allow out at one time. The problem is that our collection isn't that big and I think most people want the more popular titles and this would hold them up longer for others.
Any other thoughts on this?
Is this project going to be open source? I am seeking a new solution for my library network
We're not discounting the idea of open source. We did a quick overview of the different products out there, including the Koha Zoom Browser, and didn't find one solution that gave us everything we are looking for. We still need to get more information on those products and are setting up a demo for III's Encore. I'll be at Computers in Libraries and plan to see a lot of new options. Another network is planning on beta testing a new product by Aquabrowser, so we'll see how that works.
There are a few options out there and it's really too early in the process to tell. But if we end up developing something new, we will turn it over to the open source community.
I would find it helpful if in the hold section under My Account if the title of an item I've placed on hold was a link back to the item's listing. That way I could see what the location status was (transit, on hold, etc) without having to type the title each time I'm impatiently waiting for my hold. :)
Others have requested this feature but more as a way to refresh their memory about a title. I have a feeling if you were using this to monitor your hold status, you wouldn't get accurate information. We have items that may be intransit for much longer than other items depending on the delivery frequency for the library. Other times there are multiple copies in the system that could fill your request. If you could clarify, that would be helpful.
I guess my main request was that it was a link back to the book. I tend to use the location status to try and gauge when my book will arrive but realize it's not a fail-proof system when there are multiple libraries with the same item and/or it's popular. Most times I can tell though and it makes me feel good to know my book is on its way.
There is a open source library system that I am trying to use in my library system called evergreen it is a ILS you can find it at http://www.open-ils.org The name of the project is called open ils. The Georgia Public Library System is currently using this system.
I have a few requests and would be happy to talk to someone about these if it would make things easier.
I would like to have the library lookup project enabled http://weblog.infoworld.com/udell/stories/2002/12/11/librarylookup.html
This is a wonderful feature that I have not been able to get working with the current system. I used to use it constantly, since most websites that reference books, link those books to amazon, this not only provides the link to the title in question, but also to similar titles in amazon that may be of interest.
We recently moved here from NY and our town had a very nice library, as is our current library.
http://www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/index.asp
I like the way that system works. When you search for titles, and want to place a hold, you log in and the system remembers that you are logged in as long as there is activity within a certain time period, perhaps 2-3 minutes. If not it logs you out and sends you back to the main search page. With the system here, the way it works here is a bit frustrating. If I do a search without logging in, and the request a hold, I have to log in. But, if I want to request another hold, it makes me log in again. Only if I log in before i do a search am I not required to log in before every hold placed. Why doesn't the system remember the login from the first hold?
Why are check my account and renew on two different screens? Can you put a renew button on the same screen? I wouldn't mind two tabs, one for books checked out, with renew, and one for holds.
In the library on the catalog terminals, there is no way for me to check my account or to log in to my account at the terminal. This requires me to enter my account info for every hold placed in the library. Perhaps I am missing something, but I have looked on numerous occasions and haven't found it. It is just easier for me to go home and look up on the catalog rather than do it in the library.
I agree with another comment about being able to link back to the book listing in my account, both for books checked out and on hold. Sometimes you would like to review the catalog record and search for additional titles that relate to a current record. Now you need to research for the title instead of just clicking on the link.
Is there a way to browse new items in the system?
Note that these comments apply to the bistro catalog only and not the virtual catalog.
I have a number of issues with digital books, and I know that most of these are driven by the publishers. I don't think we should spend the money on these unless they are available to be used in a variety of players. Digital restrictions discriminates against many of us with either ipods, or in our case, linux. (I have to use windows at work, but we use linux at home on multiple computers).
Finally, I find the main bistro page very cluttered and difficult to read and navigate. If the catalog were separate from the databases, etc., then it would be easier to navigate.
I'm sure that as we get more familiar with the system, things will get easier.
I do appreciate our library systems and know that a lot of time and hard work goes into keeping them running as smoothly as possible.
Thanks
In response to Evergreen, open source ILS - The Georgia Pines network is very different from the SAILS network. Their system is only used for their smaller libraries in the state and they all use the same codes, etc. Our libraries are more independent and need their own codes, loan rules, etc. There is also the question of continued support and maintenance. The Evergreen group seems rather unstable and I personally am not confident they would be reliable for future enhancements and changes. One thing to remember about open source is that the code is free, but there needs to be a programmer available to make configuration changes and customizations. That obviously costs money.
If you would like to talk more about this, please email us at support@sailsinc.org. What is your library system?
Reply to question about library lookup project - We actually put something together for SAILS a while back. Follow the steps at:
http://sailsinc.org/librarylookup.htm
It's actually changed a bit and a SAILS icon appears that you click on the pass your search along to iBistro.
If you have any questions, please email support@sailsinc.org.
Response to: Only if I log in before i do a search am I not required to log in before every hold placed.
The ability to store a login is something many people would like to see in a new system and a feature we would like as well.
Why are check my account and renew on two different screens?
This has been on the enhancements list for a long time. iBistro is no longer being enhanced, mostly just little fixes, which is one reason why we're wanting a new search interface.
In the library you need to enter my account info for every hold placed in the library.
The reason we did it this way is because if people don't log off, their account remains open for all to see and modify. This was done for security reasons. It's similar to a person using the library computers to do online banking, but since this is only the library catalog, people don't consider the issues of keeping their account open. This is something we needed to change network-wide.
The way to get around this is to use one of the library's Internet stations, not their catalog terminals, then log in as you do at home.
When looking at a new system, maybe we'll hear of other ways to deal with this. If holds couldn't be cancelled by mistake, we wouldn't be so strict.
Is there a way to browse new items in the system?
There is a link in iBistro under "Library Info" for new books - both children's and adult.
If the catalog were separate from the databases, etc., then it would be easier to navigate.
Could you give more detail on this? I'm not sure what you mean by catalog vs. databases.
I do appreciate our library systems and know that a lot of time and hard work goes into keeping them running as smoothly as possible.
And we appreciate your comments and your taking the time to voice your opinion. We also realize who our customers are and want to present a system that addresses their needs, not only ours.
I would like to be able to BROWSE dvds/videos as well as SEARCH. It would be great to be able to see an alphabetical list of all titles, either for one particular library or system-wide.
This is possible if you use the DVD/Video search and can narrow your results to < 500. Then you can sort by title, which is the default for this search type. We currently have a sort limit of 500.
One way to do this is to limit by pub year and only DVDs. You can narrow by DVDs if you type this into the keyword field:
videodisc or videodiscs
Is there a way for patrons to check out books themselves if not I think this would be a nice new feature to sails users like me.
There are a couple of libraries who offer self-checkout service. This is usually a fairly expensive project so not many libraries are able to offer this option. This would also be a local library undertaking and not something involving the network.
I know my library has computers that we can use so why not make them caable of searching the catalog and also self check out.
The self-check isn't done on a personal computer, but at a self-check station that is equipt with a scanner, security deactivation, and the special self-check software.
The software is licensed per station, so even if the interface were easy to switch to from a regular browser window or other software program, this would be very costly to put it on all the public computers.
The other issue is security. When you check out a book at a self-check station, it usually deactivates the security tag. Another expense and space issue as well.
I'm sure there are other reasons why this hasn't been implemented at each computer station, but these are the quick reasons I can see right away.
Wouldn't you think that if the SAILS system had a way to tell you which copy of a book you were getting your hold placed on, or if you could select your own copy to place a hold on, it would be quicker, or at least easier to estimate when you'd get a copy? Like if there's 17 copies of a book, 4 are in transit, 2 are on shelves, and the rest are checked out, wouldn't it be easier for them to put your hold on the item on the shelves even if it's not at your local library?
The curent sysytem if find, and quite satisfatory, but there are those like me who don't like to constantly ponder which copy of a book they'll get and when.
In reply to the person asking about placing a hold on a specific copy. Our system defaults to the holds being placed on a title, not a specific copy. If there are 10 copies attached to one title, and you place a hold, the first of the 10 copies available goes to fill the hold. The only exception is that your library's copy will go to fill your hold first, assuming no other copy is sooner available. It's really set up to get holds filled as quickly as possible.
One place where you have control over which copy/volume you want to place a hold on is if there is a certain magazine issue or maybe a DVD from a series, like the first season of a TV show. That is where you should see a list to choose which specific season or volume you want.
I usually put magazines on hold, but if I put several months of the same magazine on hold (exp. Jan, Feb, March), I'm not able to tell which months I've requested when I go under the 'review my account' feature. Is there a way to have each month listed along with the title in case I decide to cancel a month I might have acquired somewhere else?
I have a question about searches. After I select a book after the main search, if I then click on more by that author or one of the other choices, the system selects the search terms. Is there an easy way to edit this search? Often there are terms included that I would like to change or omit.I haven't found an easy way to do this.
As a second item, is it possible to search by publisher? Specifically, I would like to be able to find titles by the Teaching Company?
Thanks.
Thanks Jeff. If you click the "more by this author", the system is doing an author search for all the words in the author field. For The Appeal by John Grisham, the search passed along is "Grisham, John". At this point, you can't modify the search terms. You would need to redo the search.
One thing you can do is view the cataloging record tab on an item and click the various subject terms found in the record.
To search by a publisher, such as the "Teaching Company", the easiest thing to do is type in the terms as a keyword search using the author button.
I love Sails and I have a few questions or suggestions. I have found that when there is a series that you don't always have the first title in the series. For example Author Debbie Macomber and the Cedar Cove series you have 3,4and 8, but not 1 or 2. Also you don't have alot of young peoples books such as Harry Potter series, Cornelia Funke where summer is coming and young people have Ipods or MP3 players and maybe if you get them listening that might want to read some of these authors.
The problem with searching by series is that what most people would consider a series, the publishers may not, so it isn't entered into the catalog as a series, and not searchable using the "series" search.
I'd love to get more of the real popular YA books in MP3 format, but again, I'll blame the publishers because those titles aren't yet available as MP3's. This is the same thing that happened when we started with the downloadable book service from Overdrive - the popular titles took quite a while to become available. But with patience they did!
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