News from August, 2009

August 3, 2009, 9:40 AM -- The issues with Pharos have been resolved.  All libraries using Pharos will need to restart their signup servers to restore service.

August 3, 2009, 9:07 AM -- We are currently experiencing problems with our Pharos server here at SELCO.  We are working on resolving this matter and Pharos should be back up shortly.  We will send out more information as it becomes available.

The SELCO website has been migrated to a new platform, with the new page going live today.  The content, organization, and appearance of the page has changed very little.  Please see SELCO Goes Live With Confluence for more details, including a run-down of a few minor changes you might notice.

ILS Bulletin 2009-9, Modification of Staff Pac Holdings Display has been posted to the ILS Bulletins page.  Please follow the link for full details.

August 11, 2009 -- Due to overwhelming interest, SELCO will be hosting a second back-to-school Boot Camp session on Thursday, August 27, 9:30-4:30.  This session is for new school library media center personnel who need immediate knowledge of SELCO basic operations for the beginning of the school year.  Attendees will be introduced to members of the SELCO staff and learn pertinent information about basic circulation, the SELCO catalog, etc.  Please click here to view the session flyer.  To register, please visit http://tinyurl.com/selcobootcamp2009-2 or give us a call.  Hope to see you there!

8/14/2009 - 7:40AM – There was a problem and Day End did not run last night. We are working on resolving the issue and will let you know when Day End is done. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The changes desrcribed in ILS Bulletin 2009-09 had an unexpected, negative impact on the Status display in Staff Pac.  We have reversed this change and restored the original functionality.  We are working with AquaBrowser to assess the situation and find another way to achieve our objective.  Further information will be posted as it becomes available.  For backgound information, please see the original bulletin .

8/14/2009 - 1:05PM – Day End is complete for August 13th, and circulation reports, reset pull lists, and notices for review lists are now available.

If you haven’t already heard, Minitex renegotiated its ELM database contracts as of July 1, 2009. What does that mean for you? A total of 31 new databases available to your patrons!

SELCO will hold a special training session, What’s New in ELM, on September 8^th at 12:30 pm for our members to learn more about the changes. Jennifer Hootman, Reference Service Coordinator for Minitex, will present. This session is scheduled the afternoon of the User's Group Meeting, allowing time for an hour lunch break.

Register for this session through the training site: http://www.solutionwhere.com/selco/cw/showsession.asp?4115223478/18/20095:13:41+PM

SELCO staff have created an item status that will be useful for any library with display areas. This item status is On Display or ‘odis’ and can be used for items that are moved to a display area. Staff must manually change the items’ status to this code, and then both staffPAC and iPAC will read “On Display” in the status column. This should make it easier for Online Library staff and patrons to find items.

The full bulletin and other ILS Bulletins can be found here.

The Council of Regional Public Library System Administrators will be bringing Ann Goering to the Traverse de Sioux Library System Office in Mankato on Wednesday, September 23rd for a workshop called Personnel Management in the Public Library.  Ms. Goering is an attorney specializing in labor and employment law.  Workshop topics will include hiring, orientation and training, relevant statutes for employers, dealing with difficult employees, and employee rights.  The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is free to all members of the Minnesota Library Systems.  Lunch will be on your own.  Please register for the Mankato session by emailing Dayle Zelenka at dzelen@tds.lib.mn.us.  Include your name, library, and email address, and please indicate if you require special accommodations.  The deadline for registration is Thursday, September 10. 

SELCO has booked both vans for carpooling to this event.  If you would like to ride to Mankato with SELCO staff, please reserve your spot by Tuesday, September 8.  You may book your spot by clicking here .  Please keep in mind this is just for booking a spot in one of the SELCO vans---you will need to register for the workshop separately.  To view the workshop flyer, please click here .  Hope to see you there!
 

The agenda for the September 2009 SELCO Technology Users Group meeting has been announced.  Topics include an update on the AquaBrowser project, a demonstation of a printer your laptop-wielding patrons can use wirelessly, and a presentation on how library staff can use Google Docs as a free replacement for Microsoft Office:

1. Welcome
2. AquaBrowser Implementation Update
3. Ricoh HotSpot Printer Demo
4. Google Docs and Your Library
5. MnKnows
6. How Can Twitter Work For Me?

The meeting will be held in the Avila Room at the SELCO/SELS office on September 08 from 9:30 to 12:00.  An online meeting will be available for those who cannot attend in person.  We'll also record the meeting in it's entirety and post the video to the SELCO/SELS website within a few days.

Users Group attendees are encouraged to stick around after the meeting for an afternoon training session, What's New in ELM at 12:30.  Jennifer Hootman, Reference Service Coordinator for Minitex, will do a presentation exploring exciting changes to ELM.  A total of 31 new databases will be available to patrons; this is your chance to learn all about them.

Register for this session through the training site: http://www.solutionwhere.com/selco/cw/showsession.asp?4115223478/18/20095:13:41+PM

See you on the 8th!

9:30 AM

Pharos is down. We are currently working on a solution. Thanks for your patience.

10:00 AM

Pharos is up and running again. Thanks again for your patience. If you encounter any problems please call the helpdesk.