NExpress Training for 2012

Welcome to NExpress

Welcome, Introduction and ‘What is NExpress?’

• NExpress Shared Catalog Overview (.pdf)
• Vision and Values Statement (.pdf)

Public Catalog Tour

An Introduction to the NExpress Patron Catalog (.pdf, Updated 4/18/11)

• Catalog Overview Tutorial (Updated 11/11/11)

About Your Account (.pdf w/ older illustrations)

• My Account Overview Tutorial (Updated 11/11/11)

Homework – Explore Additional Patron Training Tutorial Videos

Notes and Discussion

• Purchase Suggestions - Post and ByWater Tutorial
• Promotions on Go Live! page
• NExpress Patron Confidentiality Statement (.d0c) and other Orientation Packet Documents (post)

Questions and Answers so far…

Staff Client Tour

Landmarks of the Home Page and Circulation Page

Basic Circulation – Checking items in:

• Video – Checking Items In (11/11/11 in Koha 3.6)
• Video – Checking Items In with Holds (8/10 in Harley)

Basic Circulation – Checking items out:

• Video – Checking Items Out (8/10)
• Homework Video – Patron Account features in Staff Client, with Checking out demonstrated (11/09)

Patrons

• Searching for Patrons in NExpress Handout (NEW 4/11)
• Editing Patrons Handout (full color, updated 11/11)
• Creating New Library Cards Handout (step-by-step, updated 11/11)

Holds

• Managing Holds in NExpress (July 2011) (.pdf) – Complete instructions
• Run and Pull Holds Queue Report (Pick List) (video 9/10)
• Check in and Confirm Holds (9/10) – for more examples, see the Checking Items with Holds tutorial

Homework / Extra Credit – Searching

• Overview of the keyword and advanced search features of the Staff Client
• Keyword searching hints -
  • add “richmond” to improve results
  • Look for and use UNIQUE terms.  Is the author’s last name unusual, like “Evanovich”? Is there a term like “playaway” that will improve results?
  • As in Google, use a combination of keywords from the title, series and author name, including dates
  • Keyword searching looks at All fields of All attached items, even mis-cataloged ones
• Advanced searching hints
  • Non-keyword searches are EXACT, so spelling counts but you get faster results
  • Look for unique or unusual subject headings to help narrow your search – “cookery for two”
  • Koha can’t find what is NOT in the record.  If a series title isn’t in the record, no amount of searching will find the book.
• Use specialized external sites to find ISBNs and other unique identifiers AND correct spelling:
• Amazon
• What’s Next ™: Books in Series database
• Fantastic Fiction
• Internet Movie Database

Workflows, Troubleshooting and Questions

DONE!
Welcome and enjoy access to 850,000 items, including books, movies, videogames, audiobooks and cake pans.

Advanced Training and Homework Posts:

• Training Materials from September 2010 and May 2010 and November 2011
• Known Issues - Encountering a problem? See if it’s a known bug.
• Managing Suggestions for Purchase - overview video 9/10
  • Must be logged in as TECH or DIRECTOR
  • Step-by-step instructions post, with a video from Royce Kitts, formerly at Tonganoxie Public Library
  • Patrons are alerted the next time they log into their account of your decision
• Searching and Search Training and Search-related Bugs and Barcode Searching-  These (older) posts may be of interest.

• NOTE: Do not include the special characters ( ! ? & ) in searches, it may skew results.
• What to do with Agent Interlibrary Loans – Best practices
• How do we manage LOST items? – Best practices
• Tags and the Tag Cloud – Ideas from Susan at Hiawatha
• Handling Patron Accounts and Fines – Best practices
• NExpress Users Group Notes, meetings, etc.
• Kansas EZ Library and OneClick Digital Registration information