NExpress Shared Catalog

Hi! We are trying to use the NEWS feature in Koha more to report on known issues and catalog problems that are being investigated. One such issue, the problem of  old notices being delivered to patrons when a valid e-mail address is added to their borrower account, was recently added as a NEWS item. And just as quickly disappeared. Twice.

We think that someone is clicking the Delete link under the news story. Unfortunately, that deletes the NEWS item, permanently.

We’ve adjusted the permissions a bit to stop that from happening. NEKLS would like to have control of how long the message remains visible to users (on some occasions, we may have NEWS items on the OPAC as well as in the Staff Interface).  Any attempt to delete a NEWS item should now result in an “Unauthorized User” message, but we would also ask that you do not click on the Edit or Delete or New links at the bottom of the News item. Thanks for your cooperation.

On Thu, May 28, 2009 at 12:30 PM, Mickey Coalwell <mcoalwell@nekls.org> wrote:
Hello everybody.

It was reported this morning that when items are removed from the holds shelf, the pop-up prompt that tells you where to send the item (usually to its home library) is not appearing. Unless the item is on hold for another patron, it does not trigger this pop up box. Checking an item in just results in a “not checked out” message. This situation may also occur when a patron has removed their own hold after an item is in transit. This has been reported to LibLime as a high importance support request. We will keep you updated.

Thank you.
Mickey @ NEKLS

Support Request:

Hello. This was received this morning from one of our member libraries,
Bonner Springs. I have tested it, and get the same results. There is no
transfer prompt for items that need to be sent “home.” Please give this
request immediate attention and importance. Thanks.
Mickey

When removing an item from our hold shelf……
We normally remove the hold and then check the item back in which triggers a pop up that tells us where to send the item.
Now, unless the item is on hold for another patron, it does not trigger this pop up box.
We tried checking items in several times and it simply states it is “not checked out.”
We found this also happens when a patron has removed their own hold after an item is in transit.
Kathleen found that if we check the item out to another card then check it in it will then trigger the pop up box that tells us where to send the item.

Items removed from hold shelf that do not belong to Bonner Springs – no pop up box saying where to send the item.

Reply received 5/29/09:

Hi Mickey,

Ryan and I did some research and testing yesterday to figure out the problem.  This seems to be caused when a hold is canceled, and there is bug #2941 filed back in Feb. 2009, which addresses this but has not been worked on.  Ryan is going to create a new bug (I believe) and combine number 2941 plus some others he thinks are related) into it and give it a higher priority.  This will help us to get a patch for the problem sooner.

Follow-up received 5/29/09:

Mickey,

Ryan did create a new bug for this – #3270 – with a severity of ‘major’ – just wanted to let you know.
**********************************

Please continue to report instances of transfer prompts failing to appear on-screen. A screen capture  would be extremely helpful. Thank you, and sorry about the continued inconvenience.  MC

On Tue, Jun 2, 2009 at 5:59 PM, Mickey Coalwell <mcoalwell@nekls.org> wrote:

> 1. The location displayed in the ACTION column when canceling a 'hold over'
> item is the item's home library; but often, there is a hold on the item for
> another library (not the home library). It is the next library in the holds
> queue that should display in this column, rather than the item home
> location.

Right, the script currently makes an unjustified assumption that the
item should always be transferred back to its home library.  While it
would be possible for the script to figure out the next request in the
queue, holds queue are dynamic enough that it is possible for the next
request to fill to change between generating the report and the
operator canceling a request.  Consequently, a simple message of
'Cancel hold' or 'Cancel hold and transfer' may be better.  Please
file a bug for this.
[Done. See Bug #3287, Severity MAJOR, 6/3/09 reported by MC]

> 2. Canceling the 'hold over' from waitingreserves.pl should trigger a
> transit prompt, instructing the staff person to send the item on to the hold
> library, if a hold exists on the item. This doesn't happen. Nothing happens
> when the 'hold over' is canceled. A staff person, seeing the information
> displayed in the ACTION column, would naturally assume that the item is to
> return to its home library. So, regardless of whether a hold exists, the
> 'hold over' canceled item is being returned home. We have found that a hold
> transit prompt will trigger if the canceled hold item is checked in after it
> is canceled. But this is a two-step process that we have not trained any of
> our libraries to perform. We are seeing lots of problems associated with
> this, since many hold items are being sent back to their home locations,
> instead of their next hold location

The script does appear to have nascent but incomplete functionality to
generate a transfer message.  I recommend filing a bug for this one.
[Done. See Bug #3288, Severity MAJOR, 6/3/09 reported by MC]

Regards,

Galen

From a patron’s Detail page (illustration from my account below), there appears to be a way to return a mass of items without using the barcode scanner – you check the box and hit the “Return checked items” button.  This would be great…IF IT WORKED properly.

Unfortunately, if one of those items you’ve returned without using the scanner happens to be on hold for another patron or belongs at a different library, Koha DOES NOT tell you that.  You have to scan the barcode in the Check In module to activate or trigger a hold or transfer/transit from one library to another.

So, for now…please don’t use this feature.  We are reporting this bug to LibLime today.

-Sharon

NEW: Liz added a webchat widget to this site, right up there…see it?

All you have to do to get a hold of NExpress staff (and techie staff from Iola, Independence and Salina if they’re on that day) to ask Koha questions is click on that and give yourself a nickname!   This is open to anyone, from front line staff to Director. Even patrons are welcome, should they so desire.

Ask, comment, complain – this is an open forum for all things Koha (in Kansas).  Yesterday, we discussed reports.  Today, Chris joined us from New Zealand and talked about uber techie stuff with Liz (it was all WAY above me, but that’s OK).

-Sharon

This just in from Bugzilla:

Galen says: Enabling the XSLT bib display option for the staff client has been sponsored.
When this is implemented, the default staff bib display stylesheet will include
the 245 $n and $p.

Translation: The Title: Subtitle, Number and Part information that displays correctly in the online catalog (OPAC), will SOON display in the Staff Client, too!

Titles to test this on: Go, Diego Go! and Naruto.  If you are looking for specific titles, search the patron catalog first, then the staff client.

-Sharon

UPDATE Nov 2009 – This patch has not been added to our catalog yet. Below are illustrations show the different search results you will get in the Public Catalog versus the Staff Client.

Sub-title displays in OPAC searches

Subtitle information does NOT appear in the Staff Client

Reports Training – Monday, June 15 at NEKLS

Agenda (and Reports Fest Presentation (.ppt)):

• Reports module overview
• Statistical reports – the Wizards
• Editing a Saved Report
• Creating a new report
  • Pose the question
  • Determine where the data is stored
  • Determine what to show
  • Add limitations and filters

Other Helps:

NExpresslibrary.org > Training > Reports Training

Useful Koha Database Tables (.doc) or the Full List of Koha Tables

Useful NExpress CCodes and Item Types (.pdf)

NExpress Library Branch Codes:

• ATCHISON
• BALDWIN
• BASEHOR
• BONNERSPGS  (note abbreviated spelling)
• EFFINGHAM
• HIAWATHA
• LINWOOD
• LYNDON
• MCLOUTH
• MERIDEN
• NEKLS
• NORTONVLLE  (note the abbreviated spelling)
• OTTAWA
• OVERBROOK
• SILVERLAKE
• TONGANOXIE
• VALLEYFALL  (note the missing “s”)
• WELLSVILLE
• WETMORE
• WILLIAMSBG  (note the abbreviated spelling)
• WINCHESTER

Nicole’s presentation on MySQL from KohaCon:

UPDATE: Galen at LibLime has submitted a patch to fix this. The patch will be included in our next update.

Mickey posted the following bug today, along with a support request to LibLime: Bug 3299

It has been brought to our attention that we cannot specify a special due date on a patron’s account (say when renewing an item).  Instead, the system renews using the standard due dates specified in the circulation rules.  Hopefully this is something that can be fixed easily and quickly.  You CAN still override the renewal limit.

Here is the text from the State Library’s web site concerning the ILL Materials Replacement Fund. It seems very clear that unreturned/lost materials between NExpress libraries qualify for the program. A good faith effort to recover the lost material is required. Note that borrowing libraries are responsible for filing the reimbursement claim. For NExpress libraries, the cardholder’s home library is considered the borrowing library.
-Mickey

Materials Replacement Fund

How to use the Materials Replacement Fund

Imagine your library borrows an item on interlibrary loan (ILL) from another Kansas library. After your client returns it, you package the item carefully and ship it back to the lending library. But it never arrives. What happens then?

In Kansas, we have a program to assist you in cases like this. It is the Materials Replacement Fund, which has been in operation since 1984. The MRF responds to the question would-be ILL participants often ask: “What happens if we lend an item through interlibrary loan and it’s never returned?

By protecting libraries from losses, the Materials Replacement Fund encourages participation in resource sharing activities such as ILL.

How does the MRF work?

If a Kansas library lends an item through ILL, and if that item is lost or not returned, Statewide Resource Sharing will reimburse the lending library for the actual cost of replacing the lost item. To request reimbursement for a lost item, submit an MRF form to the address listed on the form. Feel free to photocopy the form as needed.

How to use the MRF

Interlibrary loan codes stipulate that borrowing libraries are responsible for the safety of ILL items. So borrowing libraries are responsible for submitting MRF claims. If an item you borrow via ILL from another Kansas library is overdue, here are the steps to follow:

1. 1. Contact the lending library to let them know you’re trying to retrieve the lost item. Be sure to keep the lending library informed throughout the process.
2. As you try to recover the missing item, follow the steps outlined on the claims form. Give it your best shot. Most of the time, these steps will work.
3. Use your library’s policy to determine when the item is considered lost. If your efforts to retrieve the item are unsuccessful and you have written off the item as lost, submit the claim form. Please include the lending library’s Federal Employer Identification Number so we can send them a check.

Remember, before submitting a claim, do your best to get the item back. And to sustain your library’s good standing as a responsible ILL participant, keep the lender informed throughout the process.

The MRF is good insurance

Chances are, you’ll never need to use the Materials Replacement Fund. But just in case, keep this document and the MRF form in an accessible location. Then you’ll be ready to respond if you ever need to replace an item lost through ILL.

For more about Statewide Resource Sharing, contact Patti Butcher at the State Library of Kansas.

A few weeks ago I submitted my first patches to the Koha project… today I got a koha (gift, with strings) from Koha! I’m the proud owner of a Koha “git committed to koha” mug  (pictured above).

Do also note the presence of Tylenol, my library card, and jquery all harmoniously placed around my Mac. Yes, these things are all required when doing work on Koha!

Now with the new mug I’ll have the appropriate caffiene load to submit even more patches, and the incentive to do it!