Offline Updates

Any items that you receive in Delivery to fill holds should be held until we go live in Symphony next week.  Until that time, we have no way to update the system with their status or notify customers that they are ready to pick up.  So please keep them in your work area for the next week.  Once we are live on Symphony, you can scan them in so that a hold slip will print and the notices to the customers will be generated.  Thank you for your cooperation.

The Print Shop is working on signs as well as handouts that highlight our change in circulation periods.  You should receive these by July 11, our “go-live” date.  In the meantime, the information has been posted on the Library’s public blog.  You may want to print out some copies of page 2 of the blog (according to the print preview on my computer, the blog runs 20 pages) and refer customers there, if there are any questions.

I have also heard that staff would like a sign indicating we are not accepting fines while we are offline.  I am sorry but I did not think to request that ahead of time and, with the holiday, you would probably not receive it until we were ready to start accepting fines again.  If a customer asks, please explain that we do not have access to their accounts.  We certainly do not want to accept their money and not have the ability to actually clear the fines from their accounts. 

I hope everyone made it through the first day of offline circulation with relatively few problems.  Have a wonderful 4^th of July holiday. 

Thanks,

Syma

Syma Zerkow

Chief of Library Materials Services

Off-line Circulation starts tomorrow - July 3

We begin using SirsiDynix Off-line Circulation tomorrow.  Fred e-mailed detailed instructions on off-line procedures this morning.  The information is also available on the Staff Training Portal as one of the Circulation Manual links.  The IT Helpdesk will be prepared to assist you with any problems you encounter.  And a lot of us will be backing them up.

It is both an exciting and frightening time.  We know customer service issues will arise and we have confidence that you will be able to handle them well.

If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to ask. 

Thanks,

Syma

Syma Zerkow

Chief of Library Materials Services

SirsiDynix Symphony Offline Circulation Procedures

Greetings everyone.

Tomorrow is the day we begin conducting all circulation transactions (check outs, check ins, registrations) in the Sirsidynix Symphony Offline Circulation.  Instructions for opening and setting up the Symphony Offline Circulation module are attached.  You will need to follow the procedures in the attachment for each computer on which you conduct offline circulation transactions from 07/03/13 through 07/10/13.  

The following are the due dates to set for “Default due date” in step 6 d:

• on 07/03/13, set the default due date to 07/24/13
• on 07/04/13, we’re closed for the holiday. Do not set a default due date.
• on 07/05/13, set the default due date to 07/26/13
• on 07/06/13, set the default due date to 07/27/13
• on 07/07/13, set the default due date to 07/28/13
• on 07/08/13, set the default due date to 07/29/13
• on 07/09/13, set the default due date to 07/30/13
• on 07/10/13, set the default due date to 07/31/13

For sites with Self Check and Materials Sorters, you need to also do the following:
Self Checks – leave the self check units turned on, but put Out Of Order signs on them and direct customers to Symphony Offline Circulation stations for service. Materials Sorters – turn them off at the close of business today (07/02/13).
Thank you for your assistance with this. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Circulation Administration Department. We will be delighted to help in any way that we are able.

Fred Schumacher

Limited Patron Database Access during offline migration period

Hello everyone.

We have some good news to share with you regarding patron database access during the offline migration period – 07/03/13 through 07/10/13.  Along with our colleagues in HALAN, we have figured out a way to make a stripped down version of the III database available to you during the time we will be circulating in Symphony Offline Circulation. 

Between on 07/03/13 and 07/10/13 (inclusive), you will login to Symphony Offline Circulation to provide basic circulation services to customers – Registration, Check Out and Check In.  You will not conduct any financial transactions with customers during this period.  Since the Symphony system will be operating in Offline Mode, you will not be connected to the Symphony server and will be unable to search the user database for customer accounts.  While the III system will no longer be available for circulation services, however, it will still be available to search to determine whether a registering customer already has an HPL account, to see whether a customer has fines owed and, if so, how much is owed.  This will also provide a means by which you can look up a customer’s library card barcode number,  which will be required to circulate to the customer in Symphony.  Keep in mind, though, the III system will not be available for conducting circulation transactions of any type during this period.  It will ONLY be available for informational purposes until the Symphony system becomes fully operational on 07/11/13.

We are delighted to be able to offer this limited access to the III patron database from 07/03/13 through 07/10/13.  I hope this additional tool alleviates some of the frustration and inconvenience of the offline migration period for you and your customers.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the Circulation Administration Department at 832-393-2222 (option 3) or email us at circinfo@hpl.lib.tx.us.  We will be happy to assist you in any way we are able.

Thanks,

 Fred Schumacher

Circulation Administration Manager

Computer Use Cards during offline migration period

Greetings all.

  Circulation Administration is sending pre-made Computer Use Only Cards to your location for use during the period of time that we are offline in both the III and Symphony systems.  The cards will arrive at your branch by Monday (07/01/13) in a 7 ½ “X10 ½” brown clasp envelop labeled “Computer Use Cards for use while Offline – do not use before 07/03/13.”  Please put the envelope aside until 07/03/13.  On 07/03/13, begin issuing these cards to customers who request Computer Use Only cards, and continue issuing the pre-made computer use cards until the close of business on 07/10/13.

  Each location will receive a supply of 100 cards to use during the seven days that we are offline.  Circulation Administration will have a limited supply of additional cards from which we will be able to replenish your supply, if you run low. 

Fred Schumacher

Circulation Administration Manager