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Position on Hold List Now Available - Finally!

   Tuesday, August 9th, 2011 - by: Brian Herzog, Head of Reference

Since launching with our new Evergreen catalog in May, the single biggest request from patrons has been this:

How do I see what number I am on the wait list for an item I have on request?

Previously, patrons had to contact the library and have staff look this up. But now this feature has been added to the My Account screen, so patrons can log in and see this information themselves.

To view this, use your barcode and PIN combination to log into your My Account. Next, click the "Items on Hold" tab, which will list everything you have on hold. And now, as seen in the image below, the "Status" column will tell you the number you are on the wait list, how long the wait list is total, and also the number of "potential items" that can fill this hold:

Catalog wait list position

There are a couple things to note with this listing:

  • The "potential items" means the number of copies of that item (at all MVLC libraries) that are available to fill the hold (this automatically ignores copies that are lost, missing, library-use only, or any other item that can't fill the hold)
  • Your number is your position in the whole holds queue, regardless of where other people in line are going to pick up their item. Your wait might actually be shorter than expected, because the only people who are really "ahead" of you in line are the people who are also picking up their item at the same library as you.

    So, if you're #42 on a list of 156, but only 3 other patrons want to pick up the item in the same library as you, then you're really only #4. And Evergreen will fill all holds at one library before moving on to the next, so if the item ends up at your pickup location, you'll get it before the other 155 people on the list

Filling holds can be complicated, so if you have any questions about what your Status column means, or the particulars of how the catalog works, please see a library staff person.

Also, this new feature marks another feature made possible by consortium developers. One main reason this catalog was chosen was that we can add to it - if you have any other suggestions, please contact Brian Herzog, Head of Reference, at bherzog@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x211.

   Posted in Computer, Library Information | No Comments »




Highlighted Features of the New Library Catalog

   Thursday, May 26th, 2011 - by: Brian Herzog, Head of Reference

Evergreen logoOne of the advantages of the new Evergreen catalog is that it is built on open source software - that is, software that we have the ability to modify and develop, according to our needs.

When the new catalog launches on Tuesday, May 31st, that won't be the end of the story. There will be some new features included in the new catalog that we're excited about, but there are even more features scheduled for development this summer.

And the best part is that additional improvements are always in development - so if there is something you'd like the catalog to do, please let us know by emailing askus@mvlc.org or calling the Reference Desk at 978-256-5521 x211.

New Catalog Features Available On Tuesday, May 31st

  • Expanded search tools, including the ability to limit to just fiction or non-fiction, by age range, and more
  • New "Did you mean...?" search suggestions, for searches with few or no results
  • Enhanced content for each book, including "if you liked this, you might also like" suggestions, series listings, similar author suggestions, reviews, excerpts, previews, and more (all from a variety of sources, conveniently gathered and presented in the catalog)
  • Customizable control of your account preferences, including saving which libraries you like to search, custom login passwords and usernames, options for hold notifications, and more
  • Ability to create multiple "bookbags" (previously called "My List"), and the ability to share your bookbags with others
  • RSS feeds for searches, so you can be notified when new items are added

"Coming Attractions" Launching Later This Year

  • Improvements to the overall design of the catalog
  • A version of the catalog that is mobile device-friendly
  • Ability to edit more of your contact information, including street and email addresses
  • An opt-in reading history, so you can track the books you've read and movies you've seen (or anything you've checked out)
  • Plus more!

If you have any questions about the new catalog, any of these features, or suggestions for additional new features, let us know!

   Posted in Library Information | No Comments »




The Chelmsford Public Library to Unveil New Catalog

   Tuesday, May 24th, 2011 - by: Brian Herzog, Head of Reference

Evergreen logoThis is our official press release for the catalog migration.

We'll be posting additional details this week, but the new catalog is almost here - just seven more days!

The Chelmsford Public Library, along with 34 other libraries from the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC), will be launching a new catalog over Memorial Day weekend.

The new catalog is part of a move to the Evergreen open source library system. While giving more control to MVLC libraries over the features offered in their catalog, this move is also expected to save money for the library, primarily in annual service fees and upgrade costs.

In order to launch the new catalog on May 31st, 2011, the current catalog will be taken offline at the end of the day on Friday, May 27, to allow the migration to happen over the Memorial Day weekend. Patrons will be able to check out and return materials at the library during our regular weekend hours, but the catalog will be unavailable for searching and placing holds. Since the catalog will be unavailable, patrons wishing to borrow library material on Saturday, May 28th, should bring their library cards with them to the library. Also, the library will have a delayed opening on Tuesday the 31st - our hours that day will be 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Answers to common questions about the new catalog and migration process are available at http://www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/newcatalog/ including concerns about existing holds and access to other library systems.

Any holds previously placed on materials should carry over to the new system. Patrons will find that their personally-created lists in the bookbags will be available in the "My Accounts" area of the new catalog.

Access to some online databases may be disrupted, and our connection to the state-wide Virtual Catalog will be shutdown Friday, May 20, and restored during the summer.

Library patrons will enjoy some new features with the Evergreen system, such as the ability to share their bookbags with others, more flexibility in creating user passwords, and the ability to update their street and e-mail addresses. Patrons will also have more flexibility and control over their catalog searches with the new system, including setting account preferences to search the Chelmsford Library only or MVLC as a whole. Coming attractions over the next few months include an improved catalog design, a feature allowing users to track their reading history and a version of the catalog usable on mobile devices.

The Merrimack Valley Library Consortium will be the first large library system in Massachusetts to use Evergreen. The move to Evergreen is part of a larger project that will see MVLC, along with two other Massachusetts' library consortia, NOBLE and C/W MARS, using Evergreen by early 2012. These three library networks encompass approximately half of the public libraries in the Commonwealth along with a number of academic libraries. The project includes locally-sponsored development funded with a Library Services and Technology Act grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and by participating libraries.

MVLC staff has already been active in developing enhancements to Evergreen. The staff has made changes to the software that have made it into the core Evergreen package. These changes include customizations to the patron registration form providing more flexibility to libraries operating in a consortium like MVLC; automatic staff client updates; an overhaul in the configuration of rules that control how long items circulate and improvements to staff client menus and toolbars. MVLC plans to continue contributing to the development of Evergreen in a way that will allow the software to best meet the needs of library users in Massachusetts.

For more information about the new Evergreen catalog please visit the Library's website at http://www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/newcatalog/ or contact Library Director Becky Herrmann at bherrmann@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521, ext 100.

   Posted in Library Information | No Comments »




Questions and Answers about the New Library Catalog

   Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 - by: Brian Herzog, Head of Reference

Evergreen logoThe new catalog we're getting at the library will look and act pretty differently from our current catalog - it'll still have the same basic features and functions (and then some), but the links, buttons, and information will be in different places.

We'll be posting how-to instructions for using the catalog soon, but we're still getting a lot of general question about the migration process. We've compiled a list of common questions and answers, but here are a few of the most significant:

  • Why change - can't we keep the old catalog?
    The Chelmsford Library is part of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium, and we share our catalog with the other 35 MVLC libraries. The catalog we had been using, Horizon, was discontinued by SirsiDynix. After evaluating many options, MVLC chose to migrate to Evergreen as the catalog for all MVLC libraries.
  • When is this change happening?
    Migration to the new system is planned for the Memorial Day weekend. The current system will be taken down at the end of business on Friday, May 27th, and the new system will go live on Tuesday, May 31.
  • Will Service be Disrupted?
    Yes, there will be some interruption in our normal services. Libraries will be able to check materials in and out, but we won't be able to search the catalog or place holds. Many databases and most electronic content, including Overdrive e-books and audiobooks, will also be unavailable. We will provide more specific information as the time draws closer.
  • What happens to all my holds and requests?
    MVLC staff have been working hard to make sure all patron data (names, contact info, requests, etc) is carried over to the new system. If you notice anything missing, please contact Brian Herzog, Head of Reference, at bherzog@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x211.

Check out the full list of questions and answers so far. If you have additional questions, please contact the Reference Desk at askus@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x211.

   Posted in Library Information | No Comments »




A New Catalog is Blooming at the Library!

   Monday, May 9th, 2011 - by: Brian Herzog, Head of Reference

Evergreen logoThe Chelmsford Library will be changing to a new catalog on May 31st, along with the rest of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium. The new catalog, called Evergreen, will still contain all the books, movies, music, and other items in the libraries of the Merrimack Valley, but will also include new features and conveniences.

Although the launch isn't until Memorial Day weekend, we'll be posting information about the new catalog - including answers to common questions - at http://www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/newcatalog

Some common questions so far are:

  • Why change - can't we keep the old catalog?
  • Will Service be Disrupted?
  • What happens to all my holds and requests?
  • Why did you spend money on a new catalog during these tough economic times?
  • Evergreen is "open source" - what does that mean?

Please check out the answers, and if you have any questions at all, please contact Brian Herzog, Head of Reference, at bherzog@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x211.

Although development on the new catalog is still progressing, a demo version - for testing purposes only! - is available. Give it a try, and let us know what you think.

This is a major change for us - we've had our existing catalog for over 10 years. The new catalog is designed to continually upgraded and improved, so we expect more new features to be added after the launch, too!

   Posted in Current News, Library Information | No Comments »




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