Browsing electronic books and other hidden collections in library catalogs has presented some challenges for libraries. Working to improve resource discovery, University of Dayton Libraries implemented a webpage menu, using custom PostgreSQL and PHP scripts, to help users browse new titles by classification, format, and collection. Learn about our step-by-step process and how to get started with SierraDNA and writing your own queries.

MARC on the Fly: Using MARCEdit for Ebook Loading (Sierra)

Julie Rabine, Bowling Green State University

Libby Hertenstein, Bowling Green State University

In this session, we will discuss how we completely overhauled our batch loading of e-books using MARCEdit. Before MARCEdit, staff used a highly customized translation table (m2pmap) to make any required local changes. This created a situation in which customizations had to be made to the translation table anytime a variance in an ebook record formatting occurred.

By using MARCEdit we have eliminated the translation table and can make any changes to the records we need on the fly. With MARCEdit we have also transitioned from using staff to using professional librarians to upload records, which has allowed for additional quality control measures. From this session, attendees will learn about the advantages and disadvantages of our previous and current workflows, including our use of regular expressions, lessons learned, and why we think it is important to keep people involved in technical services processes.

Shrinking Your Sierra System (Sierra)

Leigh Duncan, Wright State University

Although our Sierra system runs well, periodic maintenance helps us recognize trends that determine when to grow and when to shrink our system. Changes on campus and in our community indicated it was time to closely examine our coding structure and do some cleanup. This presentation will discuss ways to find and safely remove outdated patron types, item types, and other codes.

Discover the Polaris API (PAPI) and learn about CLC’s Custom email notice process (Polaris)

Wes Osborn and Mike Fields, Central Library Consortium

Wes will introduce the basic concepts and ideas of the Polaris API (PAPI). Then Mike will talk about how CLC used the API to build our own custom email notification service.

Ideas for Improving Holds Workflow - Roundtable Discussion (Polaris)

Wendy Vanscheetz, Columbus Metropolitan Library

Innovative is providing an opportunity to share ideas for improvements to the Polaris Hold Request workflow via Idealab in October 2019. During this roundtable you’ll brainstorm ideas that would improve the experience of working with Holds for both patrons and staff. Then when the idealab timed challenge opens in October, you’ll be ready to submit your proposals and vote and comment on your favorites. Consider bringing chocolate to bribe your peers so they’ll vote for your proposal in idealab! Limited space, so register soon if you’re interested.

2nd Morning Breakout Sessions (11:30am - 12:20pm)

Who is using Polaris Leap and Why? (Polaris)

Mary Kruse, Pataskala Public Library; Katie Puckett, Southwest Libraries; and Allison Sheuring, Old Worthington Library

You’ve heard about Polaris’ Web Client “Leap” for years, but you’ve said, “I’ll look into it next year”. Several “next years” have gone by and Leap’s features now generally match or exceed the traditional Polaris desktop client. Learn about Leap exclusive features and hear directly from libraries who are using Leap today about their experiences, both the positive and the negative. Maybe you’ll discover that 2019 is your “next year” for Leap.

Database Tips and Tricks (Sierra)

Karen Perone, Rodman Public Library

If you're as baffled with trying to formulate SQL queries as I am, I will show you how to do most database maintenance tasks with well-structured create lists queries, rapid update, and global update. The mantra to remember is "A clean database is a happy database."

Loan Rule Basics (Sierra)

Andrea Boehme, Bowling Green State University

Are you a newbie to Sierra (or Millennium) loan tables? Come learn how the system applies a loan rule, how different tables affect circulation, and how to do minor troubleshooting. This presentation will guide you through real examples to help you understand common circulation issues.

Library Use by College (Sierra)

Leigh Duncan, Wright State University

Using Sierra and other library systems, we prepared reports for each of the colleges at Wright State University to show how they are using library services. This presentation will demonstrate how to tie patron records to colleges and how to pull usage data based on college affiliation.

Lunch and Networking (12:20pm - 1:30pm)

A boxed lunch will be provided (make your selection during registration) along with a selection of sodas and bottled water. Take the lunch break as an opportunity to network with your peers in the main conference room or the hallway area.

1st Afternoon Breakout Sessions (1:30pm - 2:20pm)

Do It Yourself Search Tools: Practical Applications of Sierra DNA and REST API (Sierra)

Cameron Schrode, Cheryl Engel,

Interested in the new possibilities using Sierra's REST API and Sierra DNA? Akron-Summit County Public Library presents interesting examples of how we use them, including the ability to build business intelligence dashboards through the use of open-source software. Also included in this presentation, is a simple tool that corrects most e-mail address typos using a human-supervised machine learning tool written in PHP, simplified and able to give an idea of what's already possible.

*New features in the Polaris 6.x series (Polaris)

Dennis Todd, Innovative Interfaces, Inc.

Dennis will re-cap some of the new features already in general release for the Polaris 6.x series. : He’ll also give a sneak peek at what is planned for the next release (6.4) of Polaris.

Time in the Spotlight: A Workflow for Managing Numerous Displays (Sierra)

Jenny Donley, Ohio Northern University

To have engaging displays throughout a library, with circulating content and for staggered lengths of time, sounds great aesthetically. Many libraries also oversee other interesting temporary collections such as new and popular book areas. Unfortunately, it can be a nightmare to implement, maintain, and track several simultaneous temporary collections. Temporary collections create the need for reliable workflows that automate steps whenever possible and use ILS features to reduce human error. A fundamental principle of library organization requires that library items not currently checked out should be able to be found within the owning library. Temporary locations wreak havoc on circulating items that get checked out as part of a display and then returned after its conclusion. Utilizing fixed and variable fields, loan rules, and Create Lists, our medium-sized academic library designed workflows that allow for streamlined processing and statistical tracking of numerous temporary collections such as new, popular, and displays. Circulation statistics are gathered from Sierra’s Web Management Reports, and we developed a procedure for more nuanced statistics that is a mix of automated and manual steps. Google Suite’s free collaborative software is utilized to plan and organize themed displays, several of which are repeated annually. Display templates housed in Google Drive keep the planning straightforward and organized. Our workflows have been tweaked and refined over the years, and could be implemented by Sierra or Millennium libraries of any size even if display management is spread out across departments/floors or volunteers and students help change codes for temporary collections such as these.

Lightning Rounds:

See Sierra in a New Way with Tableau (Sierra)

Stephanie Church, Case Western Reserve University

For decades libraries have contributed a wealth of knowledge and data into Sierra. By connecting to Sierra’s back-end PostgreSQL server through Tableau, a data-visualization software, librarians will have access to analyze this data in a completely new and innovative way. This presentation will demonstrate how to unlock the potential of Sierra with Tableau by connecting the two softwares, showing how to access and connect multiple Sierra tables, and provide example visualizations of collection data.

Addressing Accessibility in WebPac (Sierra)

Chris Deems, Ohio Northern University

This lightening talk will focus on addressing accessibility issues located in the WebPAC at a small private university. As part of performing general maintenance, and in anticipation of a planned revamp of the university’s entire website later this year, I opted to begin work on updating the public view of our library catalog. I utilized a browser plug-in tool to identify accessibility issues that existed within our catalog’s webpages. I then created lists of the various issue types, tracked down the impacted lines of codes that needed to be fixed, and was able to re-upload the fixed files back into the WebPAC in a short amount of time. Had it not been for the browser tool, I would not have been able to identify the issues as quickly as I was, nor would I have been able to easily find and edit the necessary codes in the WebPAC files. This process also gave me the opportunity to create internal documentation for the library on editing the WebPAC, as no prior documentation existed. My lightning talk will cover the browser tool I used, various issues uncovered, and the successful documentation/resolution process that followed.

Developing a New MARC Load Profile and Process to Streamline Record Creation (Sierra)

Brandon Walker, Cleveland State University

Lauren Marshall, John Carroll University

John Carroll University, like many other institutions, has seen staffing reductions, concentrating more work on fewer individuals. We therefore sought ways to reduce the number of steps when cataloging new books and DVDs. The end result was a MARC record load profile that creates both order and item records when pulling the MARC files in from OCLC. We will discuss the evaluation of our cataloging workflow, designing a new load profile around streamlining that workflow, and troubleshooting the process before, during, and after. We will also address the collaborative process between technical services and systems.

2nd Afternoon Breakout Sessions (2:30pm - 3:20pm)

Acquisitions as a New MARC? A Case for Establishing Recommended Acquisitions Guidelines in an ILS (Sierra)

Rich Wisneski

Last year, the ALCTS Board of Directors endorsed the "Core Competencies for Acquisitions Professionals" created by The Education Committee of the ALCTS Acquisitions Section (AS). These core competencies, like those for Cataloging and Electronic Resources, detail the knowledge, skills, and professional qualities acquisitions librarians should have. As beneficial as this document is, and as beneficial as training, conferences, and workshops concerning acquisitions are (such as the ALCTS's Fundamentals of Acquisitions on line course and the annual Acquisitions Institute), what may be overlooked are standards in basic Acquisitions record structure management. Innovative's Acquisitions module has several robust features and an extensive dataset for fixed and variable fields, but without recommended guidelines or an understanding of Order Records and functionality in Sierra's Acquisitions module, efficient workflow management and financial and statistical data may be misrepresented, underutilized, or opaque. In this presentation, I'll discuss the order record infrastructure and data dictionaries that can assist in guiding acquisitions librarians in both understanding and taking more advantage of what the order record structure can offer. A case will be made to recommend standards for structuring order records and working consortially to establish recommended best practices. This presentation will also explore functionality in Sierra's Acquisitions module to streamline workflows and make financial reporting and statistical record keeping more robust and efficient.

Playing Well with Others: How Cooperative Cataloging Prepares Us for Linked Data (All)

Misty Alvaro,

Consortial standards, collaborations like WorldCat, and other shared projects provide experiences that are fundamental to linked data principles. This session explores how we can translate our current daily workflows -- in authorities, public documentation, and more -- to prepare for future cataloging philosophies and environments. Bring your questions and practice a new way of thinking about resource description.

SearchOhio PCIRC Forum (All)

Members or those interested in learning more information about Ohio’s Public Library INNReach consortium will have the opportunity to meet and share tips and tricks. A forum moderator will also pass along any questions about the central server to the Westerville Public Library.

A free registration option is available for those who would like to attend ONLY the SearchOhio PCIRC forum. Even if you’re only planning to attend the PCIRC forum, please register to help conference organizers plan for room sizes.