Author: Susan DiRenzo Ashby

Associate Professor and Coordinator, Library Systems

Sierra: 5.1 installed on 7/21/2020

The Sierra application and database servers were updated to Sierra 5.1 on 7/21/2020.  Included in 5.1 is the ability to disable the “Remember me on this computer” option, so you may have noticed it missing immediately after the upgrade. By default the option is disabled in 5.1. For now, the “Remember me” option has been re-enabled.

Please take a moment to review 5.1 new features and known issues reported and fixed on the Sierra Share Point.

Please send an email to library-systems@uakron.edu  for all Sierra requests, problem reports, or questions.

Categories
General Interest

UL Migration to SharePoint 365

IT migrated the UL SharePoint to SharePoint 365 in the cloud.  Migration started 10/9/2019 and was completed on 10/10/2019. The old SharePoint site will be read-only for 14 days.  After 14 days the old site will be locked.


Things to do and know regarding the UL SharePoint migration    

  • UL SharePoint to be migrated: https://sps.uakron.edu/sites/UL/
  • New UL SharePoint: https://uazips.sharepoint.com/sites/UL
  • The old UL SharePoint will be read only for 14 days
  • The old SharePoint will be locked and unavailable after 14 days (10/28/2019)
  • Access, edit, add, and upload documents to the new UL SharePoint
  • If you manage a subsite or a document library/libraries within the UL SharePoint please log in before 10/18/2019 and to make sure you are able to access, edit, add, and upload documents
  • If you use departmental documentation on SharePoint please log in before 10/18/2019 to make sure you can access the documents you regularly use
  • All UL personnel from the following units should test to make sure they have access to SharePoint 365 before the end of next week:
    • Access Services
    • Archives
    • Dean’s Office
    • Electronic Services
    • Research and Learning Services
    • Science and Technology Library
  • Update shortcuts or links to point to the new UL SharePoint on 365
  • E-mail Susan (ashby@uakron.edu) if you encounter any post-migration issues or problems or you have any questions.       

Central Catalog Encore Launch

OhioLINK will be launching the Encore interface for the Central Catalog in late December. Encore allows OhioLINK to provide several improvements to Central’s user interface, offering more options to patrons using the Central Catalog.

At this time the UA Libraries will continue to direct OhioLINK pass through searches from our library catalog to the original Central Catalog interface (Classic Central Catalog). However, I’ve updated our staging catalog (http://library.uakron.edu:2082/) to pass though searches to OhioLINK Encore.  This will allow you to see how it works (or works differently).

Josh will create a button to click on to Search OhioLINK Encore, but for now just click on the Search Encore for this title link.

In case you missed it, below is the 11/28/2018 announcement sent to the ohiolink, ics, diad, lead, pcirc, and er resources mailing lists.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if you are not subscribed to the general OhioLINK mailing and would like to be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You’ve been hearing about it from months, and at last, it’s almost here. Beginning December 19th  you’ll have access to Encore, a second, more modern search interface option for searching our Central Catalog.

We thought it might be helpful to present you with a brief FAQ and opportunity to increase familiarity with Encore ahead of its availability. You will continue to see reminders about Encore in the OhioLINK Weekly Update, and additional emails will go out as we get closer to December 19th.

 So, without further introduction, here’s what to know about Encore:

When will Encore be available for searching the Central Catalog?

Wednesday, December 19th. 

Is there a preview of Encore live now?

Yes. There is a “preview” of Encore live at https://catalog.ohiolink.edu. Though we        are referring to this site as a preview, patrons can use this site to request items          via Encore now, and Encore will continue to use this URL after the official live              date. 

Is there more information about Encore’s features available?

Yes. From earlier this year, there is a recorded webinar on Ostaff: https://www.ohiolink.edu/content/encore_preview_webinars 

The webinar includes more information on Encore’s features. 

What exactly will happen when Encore is live? 

On December 19th, the biggest change that you will notice is that the link to the Central Catalog on the OhioLINK homepage (https://www.ohiolink.edu) will be updated to link to the Encore version of the Central Catalog. That said, you can still access the Classic Catalog interface you currently use by clicking on the Classic Catalog link in Encore.

 Note that at any time after the launch, your library may decide to point the pass-through search from your local catalog to the Encore version of the Central Catalog, but this decision will remain a local one, based on what works best for your patrons.  

After Encore becomes available, will the older version of the Central Catalog still be available as well?

 YES. Encore is an alternative—not a replacement.  It provides an alternative version of the Central Catalog with newer features that your patrons are likely to find easier to use; it does not replace the version of Central that you currently use. OhioLINK will use the phrase, “Classic Catalog” to refer to the current interface for the Central Catalog and “Encore” will be the term used to refer to the new interface.

Which version should students use?

Both! The Classic and Encore interfaces are complimentary versions of the Central Catalog – it’s not an either/or choice.

For some searches, Encore’s single search and facets will be more intuitive for students; for more targeted searches, including OCLC number searches, the Classic Catalog will be the better choice, as it will allow patrons to search more granularly.

The important thing to remember is that you will be able to access BOTH versions from the new Encore interface. Simply click on the “Classic Catalog” link in the upper right corner of Encore to access the classic search interface.

Post Sierra Upgrade Update

Sierra was upgraded to the latest release (4.1) on November 7, 2018.  This upgrade includes all new features, updates, and fixes included in both Sierra 4.0 and 4.1. I encourage all Sierra users to review the New Features portion of the Release Notes for both 4.0 and 4.1.  Links can be found on the Sierra SharePoint

Please note that Sierra 4.1 requires that all Sierra passwords have an 8 character minimum. This is enforced immediately for new accounts and upon password change for previously existing accounts.

We did experience a few post-upgrade issues.  At this time all but one have been resolved.  You can view the list of post-upgrade issues on the Sierra Share Point. 

Please submit a Footprints ticket for all Sierra requests, problem reports, or questions.

Categories
General Interest

Sierra: Update 4.1 to be installed 11/7/2018

The Sierra application and database servers will be updated to Sierra 4.1 sometime between the hours of midnight and 6:00 am on Wednesday November 7th. Sierra will be down for 45-60 minutes during the upgrade and reboot.  I’ll conduct basic post-event testing once I receive notification the update is complete.

To prepare for the update: Please shut down the Sierra Desktop App (SDA) before you leave for the evening or shut down on Tuesday November 6th.

  • This update includes all fixes, enhancements, and features included in Sierra 4.0 and 4.1
  • Please open a Footprints ticket if you are unable to launch Sierra or have any post-update problems or issues.
  • To view Sierra Release Notes and Known Issues , go to the Sierra SharePoint at: https://sps.uakron.edu/sites/UL/depts/es/ulsys/sierra/default.aspx.
Categories
General Interest

Migration to Sierra Hosted and Sierra Upgrade

Migration to Sierra Hosted has been approved and purchased. Details regarding the migration will be made available once the migration is scheduled.  The migration will require up to a full day of downtime.  We should have a scheduled date within the next 7-10 days.

Sierra will be upgraded to Sierra 4.0 after migration, provided OhioLINK is running Resource Sharing 3.1. Otherwise, Sierra 3.4 will be installed.

Information regarding the migration to hosted and Sierra upgrade will be posted on SharePoint at https://sps.uakron.edu/sites/UL/depts/es/ulsys/sierra/default.aspx? or click on the Sierra link from the main SharePoint Landing page.

Categories
General Interest

Recently posted Innovative Webinar Recordings

Recently posted  Innovative Webinar Recordings

  • “Q3 Innovative Corporate Update”, presented by Innovative CEO Jim Tallman.
  • “Do More With Your ILS Using the Sierra APIs”.

Links to these and other recorded Innovative webinars can be found in the Innovative Customer Supportal.  Information for accessing the Supportal and these recordings are posted on the Sierra SharePoint

Categories
Electronic Services General Interest

Sierra: Update 3.1 to be installed on 8/23/2017

The Sierra application and database servers will be updated to Sierra 3.1 at 2:00 pm on Wednesday August 23rd. Sierra will be down for 45-60 minutes during the upgrade and reboot.  Sierra should be back up and running by or before 3:00 pm.

  • This update includes all fixes, enhancements, and features included in Sierra 2.1 through 2.4. and 3.0.
  • Please open a Footprints ticket if you are unable to launch Sierra or have any post-update problems or issues.
  • To see what’s new in Sierra, and/or to access Sierra release notes, go to the Sierra SharePoint at: https://sps.uakron.edu/sites/UL/depts/es/ulsys/sierra/default.aspx.
  • eServices will be scheduling several What’s New in Sierra 3.0 Brown Bags in September and October.  More details coming soon.

Sierra: Spring Create Lists Training

I’ll be offering two general Sierra Create Lists training sessions this spring. Both sessions will be held in Bierce 274. You’re welcome to attend whether you are new to Create Lists and would like basic training or you’re familiar with Create Lists and would like a review.

10:00 am – 11:30 pm on Monday, 5/15/2017
2:00 pm –   3:30 pm on Wednesday, 5/24/2017 (rescheduled from 4/26)

Please e-mail me at ashby@uakron.edu if you plan to attend either session.

More Sierra training sessions will be scheduled this summer including Create Lists, exporting/importing data from Sierra to Excel, Statistics, and Using Sierra Help/CSDirect.  Stay tuned for details!

Susan

Categories
Electronic Services

Sierra Help Access Issue … updated

We’re experiencing issues accessing Sierra Help on our local Sierra Server.  When accessing Sierra Help via the Sierra Desktop App or through a saved bookmark, users are prompted twice for their Sierra login and password. After entering the login and password the second time, the login fails.  I’ll open a ticket with III.  In the mean time, you can still access Sierra Help through III CSDirect.

Usually I’d tell you to go to the Sierra SharePoint for the link to CSDirect and the CSDirect username and password.  However, this information is on a web page in SharePoint and if you read my previous post, you’ll know that I can’t because you won’t be able to see the information :(.

If you need to access Sierra Help, send me an e-mail or call me and I’ll send you the link to CSDirect and get you the username and password.

Update 8/2/2016 4:45 pm
III is aware of the issue and is working to resolve it. You can access Sierra Help via CSDirect.  From the CSDirect home page, click on Sierra and then click on SIerra Web  Help.

For CSDirect access and login information go to: https://sps.uakron.edu/sites/UL/depts/es/ulsys/sierra/default.aspx.