E-mail from Damone Virgilio to all staff, Friday, June 15:
I have to say that I'm proud to be a part of such a wonderful staff! In our travels yesterday, Kevin and I saw extremely calm, patient and persistent staff members working closely together as teams to work through the first day of Sirsi Unicorn. Everyone I encountered really seemed to be enjoying the day, were communicating very effectively with customers about the changes, and were providing excellent feedback about problems/concerns encountered.
We have been taking careful notes of our observations and any questions you have. It is our goal to make all of this information available to you so that we can begin to share best practices, tips, and troubleshooting techniques. So, in the meantime, please feel free to contact either Kevin or me and pass along any questions or information you have.
Thank you for your commitment and hard work. Know that it is truly appreciated!
Damone Virgilio
Staff Development Manager
Monday, June 18, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
What to expect on Thursday morning
To all MPLIC staff:
Tonight, many of us will hit control-z, choose "Exit Circulation," type QUIT, and say goodbye to DRA Classic for the last time. (Not all of us, as Acquisitions will continue to use the DRA system alongside Unicorn until all orders placed for the current fiscal year have been received and paid for.) What should staff expect when they arrive at work on June 14?
New logins specific to their agencies have been communicated to the managers, circulation, and reference staff in each public service agency. Staff will verify that they are logged into Workflows on the production (i.e., the "real," as opposed to training) system when they see the familiar MPLIC logo in the upper right hand corner of the screen, where they've been seeing a red TEST SYSTEM badge.
DRA Classic Bridge circulation information collected for the last week will have been loaded into the Unicorn system overnight. Each agency should log in as staff arrives, and can immediately begin updating TEMP accounts with customer information for accounts signed up during Classic Bridge. However, staff should not begin begin discharging, checking out or receiving items In Transit until Paul Gahn sends the "all clear" e-mail message, expected between 8:00 and 9:00 AM on Thursday. (At that point, staff can begin processing materials that were held in Route status during the week of Classic Bridge. New materials will not be sent prior to Monday, June 18, to allow staff time to work through this backlog.)
All circulation PCs and some reference desk, manager, and workroom PCs have received memory upgrades; those who haven't received upgrades yet may experience slower than optimal performance, and should bear in mind the advice shared earlier about maximizing performance by closing other programs before starting Workflows, and so on. (Memory upgrades for the remaining staff PCs will resume next week.)
The public web site will still be at http://www.memphislibrary.org, though the familiar "stack o' books" will have been replaced by a new design. Virtually all of the current library web pages will continue to exist and reside at the same URLs, just with a different look. Catalog links will take customers to the new OPAC at http://eps.memphislibrary.org; in addition, a search box at the top of every web page will give access to the catalog as well. Every web page will also feature a login dialog box to give customers quick access to their library accounts, with familiar services like online renewals -- and new services like Holds. The new Holds service will be available from the time we go live, but it's expected that it will take most customers a few days to discover it and start using it (though no one can know for sure, of course). The first hold pick list report will be generated and emailed at approximately 2pm on the day of Go Live.
On public machines, the PCs that have been designated as Catalog or Catalog/Express PCs will open on the Rooms/EPS home page. Printing of catalog pages (which may also include Rooms web pages or listings of database or web citations) will remain free. However, until we become more familiar with the new OPAC configurations, these PCs will not be technically blocked from accessing other sites on the Internet. Managers at each location will have the discretion to decide whether or not to enforce the "catalog use only" policy for these PCs until the technical solution can be put in place.
PCs designated for other special uses besides the catalog will continue to be designated for that use, and should come up to the appropriate "start" page. On general-use public PCs, Internet Explorer will open to the new home page at the same old URL. On staff PCs, the browser will continue to open to the Intranet home page, which is not changing at all. Links to catalog records in blog postings and BookLetters are being changed today or tonight; some remaining web catalog links, such as those for the Teen Book Lists, will not be available for a few days.
Throughout Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, lead circulation trainer Becky Graham will be available at OPX 2747 to assist circulation staff who aren't sure how to perform a function in Workflows. Also on Thursday and Friday, Damone Virgilio and Kevin Dixon will be on the road visiting locations around the system to offer in-person Workflows assistance to reference staff, and will also be available by phone via their cell numbers (e-mailed previously). Paul Gahn, joined onsite by our SirsiDynix SureStart Consultant Pam Tejes, will be available at OPX 2805 to troubleshoot problems when staff are confident they are performing a task just how they were trained, but it’s still not working (password doesn’t work, receipts aren’t printing, etc.).
For questions about the public catalog or web site, please contact yours truly at OPX 2801.
At this time, all our staff have received the essential training they need to do their jobs. We have the knowledge and the skills we need. Mistakes will almost certainly be made -- but they won't be fatal ones. We will all learn from each others' mistakes and improve our understanding, and our service to customers, as we proceed on this journey together. On behalf of the entire Sirsi Implementation Management Team, I would like to thank all of you for your positive attitude and team spirit throughout this 18-month implementation process.
Have a great Go Live!
-- Alan
Tonight, many of us will hit control-z, choose "Exit Circulation," type QUIT, and say goodbye to DRA Classic for the last time. (Not all of us, as Acquisitions will continue to use the DRA system alongside Unicorn until all orders placed for the current fiscal year have been received and paid for.) What should staff expect when they arrive at work on June 14?
New logins specific to their agencies have been communicated to the managers, circulation, and reference staff in each public service agency. Staff will verify that they are logged into Workflows on the production (i.e., the "real," as opposed to training) system when they see the familiar MPLIC logo in the upper right hand corner of the screen, where they've been seeing a red TEST SYSTEM badge.
DRA Classic Bridge circulation information collected for the last week will have been loaded into the Unicorn system overnight. Each agency should log in as staff arrives, and can immediately begin updating TEMP accounts with customer information for accounts signed up during Classic Bridge. However, staff should not begin begin discharging, checking out or receiving items In Transit until Paul Gahn sends the "all clear" e-mail message, expected between 8:00 and 9:00 AM on Thursday. (At that point, staff can begin processing materials that were held in Route status during the week of Classic Bridge. New materials will not be sent prior to Monday, June 18, to allow staff time to work through this backlog.)
All circulation PCs and some reference desk, manager, and workroom PCs have received memory upgrades; those who haven't received upgrades yet may experience slower than optimal performance, and should bear in mind the advice shared earlier about maximizing performance by closing other programs before starting Workflows, and so on. (Memory upgrades for the remaining staff PCs will resume next week.)
The public web site will still be at http://www.memphislibrary.org, though the familiar "stack o' books" will have been replaced by a new design. Virtually all of the current library web pages will continue to exist and reside at the same URLs, just with a different look. Catalog links will take customers to the new OPAC at http://eps.memphislibrary.org; in addition, a search box at the top of every web page will give access to the catalog as well. Every web page will also feature a login dialog box to give customers quick access to their library accounts, with familiar services like online renewals -- and new services like Holds. The new Holds service will be available from the time we go live, but it's expected that it will take most customers a few days to discover it and start using it (though no one can know for sure, of course). The first hold pick list report will be generated and emailed at approximately 2pm on the day of Go Live.
On public machines, the PCs that have been designated as Catalog or Catalog/Express PCs will open on the Rooms/EPS home page. Printing of catalog pages (which may also include Rooms web pages or listings of database or web citations) will remain free. However, until we become more familiar with the new OPAC configurations, these PCs will not be technically blocked from accessing other sites on the Internet. Managers at each location will have the discretion to decide whether or not to enforce the "catalog use only" policy for these PCs until the technical solution can be put in place.
PCs designated for other special uses besides the catalog will continue to be designated for that use, and should come up to the appropriate "start" page. On general-use public PCs, Internet Explorer will open to the new home page at the same old URL. On staff PCs, the browser will continue to open to the Intranet home page, which is not changing at all. Links to catalog records in blog postings and BookLetters are being changed today or tonight; some remaining web catalog links, such as those for the Teen Book Lists, will not be available for a few days.
Throughout Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, lead circulation trainer Becky Graham will be available at OPX 2747 to assist circulation staff who aren't sure how to perform a function in Workflows. Also on Thursday and Friday, Damone Virgilio and Kevin Dixon will be on the road visiting locations around the system to offer in-person Workflows assistance to reference staff, and will also be available by phone via their cell numbers (e-mailed previously). Paul Gahn, joined onsite by our SirsiDynix SureStart Consultant Pam Tejes, will be available at OPX 2805 to troubleshoot problems when staff are confident they are performing a task just how they were trained, but it’s still not working (password doesn’t work, receipts aren’t printing, etc.).
For questions about the public catalog or web site, please contact yours truly at OPX 2801.
At this time, all our staff have received the essential training they need to do their jobs. We have the knowledge and the skills we need. Mistakes will almost certainly be made -- but they won't be fatal ones. We will all learn from each others' mistakes and improve our understanding, and our service to customers, as we proceed on this journey together. On behalf of the entire Sirsi Implementation Management Team, I would like to thank all of you for your positive attitude and team spirit throughout this 18-month implementation process.
Have a great Go Live!
-- Alan
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
SirsiDynix Project Manager's Weekly Status Report #58
Unicorn Project Status Report
Status Report Date: 6/12/07
Site Name: Memphis Public Library (24 libraries)
Client Contact: Alan Stewart
Go-Live Date: 6/14/07
Software Release: GL 3.1
Go-Live: Yes
SureStart: 9 months
Project Manager: Jeannie Peters
Implementation Team: Damon Hunter (CS), Jenny Hendrickson (DC), Patty Suessen (TR), Pam Tejes (SC)
Sales Representative: Zuanarda Causey
Major Activities/ Meetings Completed
• This status reports covers May 21- June 11
• Damon applied the Solaris daylight savings time patch to the production server.
• Through Paul’s efforts with Damon, the configuration is now complete on the IBM Infoprint system printer.
• The EPS/Rooms auto backup script has been tested and is working correctly.
• Memphis decided to have SirsiDynix upgrade their EPS/Rooms to 2.2 prior to their go live. Both the test and production instances were upgraded on 5/24. Several issues were discovered by Memphis and SirsiDynix worked with them to resolve those issues among which were problems with the Reading Lists Content Module, Kids’ Library picture-based search, Find it Fast! picture-based Search, Content Module manager, Most Popular List Content Module, and integration of Central Search and Article Linker into EPS/Rooms.
• Alan and Alex Feng are actively working on remaining EPS/Rooms issues.
• Alan reported that the upgrade to 2.2 resolved the chronic problem with the dynamic menu arrows.
• Jeannie Peters was out of the office May 25-June 1. Jane Ervin worked with Memphis in her absence.
• Jennifer Hendrickson began the final data load on schedule on May 14. Items loaded with no errors. Bibs loaded with no errors. Authority records loaded with 2278 errors. This is being investigated. Vendors and Serials were loaded. There are serials control issues that are being investigated.
• 6/7 was to have been when patrons/circ data were extracted. Due to internal issues at SirsiDynix, the extract did not take place as scheduled the evening of 6/6. Instead, patrons were extracted during the morning of 6/7 and charges and fines (bills) data was extracted the evening of 6/7. The patron load was completed early 6/8 and circ data was begun. Circ load was completed on schedule 6/11. Bills were loaded 6/11. Memphis began using Classic Bridge for circulation June 7 and will this will continue through June 13 when the Classic Bridge transactions will be extracted from the Classic system and then loaded into Unicorn. Throughout the final dataload Jennifer has provided Memphis with frequent status reports and final load reports. She has also
• SureStart Consultant Pam Tejes will arrive onsite at Memphis on Tuesday, June 12 and will remain onsite through Saturday June 16 to assist Memphis with their go live.
• The Classic Bridge extract will take place sometime after the close of business (9:00 p.m.) on Wednesday June 13. Classic Bridge data will be loaded June 13-14 and Memphis will go live on June 14.
Activities/ Meetings Scheduled for Next Week
• Weekly Call on Tuesday at 2:00 Central time. The conference number will be used for all future calls.
Outstanding Issues
None.
Project Status:
No change.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Approaching Go Live - please verify that Workflows is ready to go
E-mail message from Paul Gahn to all circulation and reference staff, June 11, 2007:
Reference and Circulation Staff,
Workflows should now be installed on all Information/Reference desk, Circulation desk and Bookdrop discharge PCs throughout the system.
Additional receipt printers have also been added for bookdrop discharge PCs and Central departments (except LINC).
Workflows will be added to other staff PCs as time permits.
Please verify that each PC with the Worfkflows3.1J icon can logon to the Test Server.
Please logon to Workflows with your agency CIRC or REF logins (Example: BARCIRC, BARREF etc.)
Also, there has been one report of Workflows wizards prompting for an Override, when you are simply trying to click on a wizard, even before you’ve identified a customer or started an item search. Please logon to Workflows with your agency CIRC or REF accounts on respective PCs and verify that this is NOT occurring.
If experience either of the above issues, please email the helpdesk. Please test all circulation desk, reference desk and bookdrop discharge PCs and only send one email for your whole agency detailing which PCs have issues.
Finally, for those with new receipt printers verify you have receipt paper installed.
Your immediate testing of the above issues will give us a chance to correct as many issues as possible before Thursday’s Go Live.
Thanks,
Paul
Reference and Circulation Staff,
Workflows should now be installed on all Information/Reference desk, Circulation desk and Bookdrop discharge PCs throughout the system.
Additional receipt printers have also been added for bookdrop discharge PCs and Central departments (except LINC).
Workflows will be added to other staff PCs as time permits.
Please verify that each PC with the Worfkflows3.1J icon can logon to the Test Server.
Please logon to Workflows with your agency CIRC or REF logins (Example: BARCIRC, BARREF etc.)
Also, there has been one report of Workflows wizards prompting for an Override, when you are simply trying to click on a wizard, even before you’ve identified a customer or started an item search. Please logon to Workflows with your agency CIRC or REF accounts on respective PCs and verify that this is NOT occurring.
If experience either of the above issues, please email the helpdesk. Please test all circulation desk, reference desk and bookdrop discharge PCs and only send one email for your whole agency detailing which PCs have issues.
Finally, for those with new receipt printers verify you have receipt paper installed.
Your immediate testing of the above issues will give us a chance to correct as many issues as possible before Thursday’s Go Live.
Thanks,
Paul
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
SirsiDynix Project Manager's Weekly Status Report #57
Unicorn Project Status Report
Status Report Date: 5/18/07
Site Name: Memphis Public Library (24 libraries)
Client Contact: Alan Stewart
Go-Live Date: 6/14/07
Software Release: GL 3.1
Go-Live: Yes
SureStart: 9 months
Project Manager: Jeannie Peters
Implementation Team: Damon Hunter (CS), Jenny Hendrickson (DC), Patty Suessen (TR), Pam Tejes (SC)
Sales Representative: Zuanarda Causey
Major Activities/ Meetings Completed
• SirsiDynix expects to have EPS/Rooms 2.2 available for Memphis to upgrade to next week, should Memphis decide to do the upgrade prior to their go live.
• Damon will apply the Solaris daylight savings time patch to the production server on Friday.
• Jennifer began loading item records on Friday and this will run through the weekend.
Activities/ Meetings Scheduled for Next Week
• Weekly Call on Tuesday at 2:00 Central time. The conference number will be used for all future calls.
• Continuing internal training and preparation for go live.
• Jennifer will begin to load the bib and authority records on Monday May 21.
• May 25 – final extract of vendors
Outstanding Issues
• Alex Feng and Alan continue to discuss EPS/Rooms issues.
• Testing continues on the EPS/Rooms auto backup script with Wayne Coop.
• Paul is continuing work with Damon on getting the IBM Infoprint configured as the system printer.
• Steve Foster is continuing working with Pam LaPier on determining maintenance for years 2 – 5 for hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and subscription fees associated with the contract between SirsiDynix and the City of Memphis. Pam sent what she has completed up to now to Steve. Steve will review the document and will get back to Pam with questions.
Project Status:
No change.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Serials check-in procedures during transition to Unicorn
E-mail message from Wang-Ying Glasgow, Serials/Government Publications Manager, to all branch managers, Circulation Services User Group, Serials/Government Publications staff, Serials Liasion Committee, Regional Managers, etc.:
This Friday, May 25th will be the last day for serials check-in on the Classic system.
After Friday, please keep a manual record of issues received. This will continue for sometime after Go Live. Please use index cards for Serials Check-in. These are the green index cards we used to do manual check-in before Serials Online Check-in. Serials will distribute these cards to you in the interoffice mail today. At the top of each index card, please record the serial title, frequency, and whether it is Reference or Circulating. There are two types of these check-in cards – daily and monthly. Please check in daily and weekly on the daily cards, and monthly and quarterly on the monthly cards. File these cards in an alphabetical order.
Then for each issue received: find the correct index card, record the volume/ issue number, date of publication and date received. Please write legibly. You can use the attached for a list of current received titles, simply use the drop down arrow in cell A1 to limit to your agency.
Before Go Live you can continue to shelve and make available to customers any reference copies and newspapers. Please continue to hold circulating magazines until Go Live (June 14), when you can begin creating brief title records for circulation.
Serials data will be migrated to Unicorn, however each library’s serial control record for each title will have to be manually edited to set-up Unicorn parameters and create predictions. Central Serials staff will be using Central to refine procedures before getting branches setup and trained for serials check-in.
Your patience during this transition is appreciated. If you have questions, please contact me.
Thanks!
Wang-Ying Glasgow
Serials/Government Publications Manager
(901)-415-2709
This Friday, May 25th will be the last day for serials check-in on the Classic system.
After Friday, please keep a manual record of issues received. This will continue for sometime after Go Live. Please use index cards for Serials Check-in. These are the green index cards we used to do manual check-in before Serials Online Check-in. Serials will distribute these cards to you in the interoffice mail today. At the top of each index card, please record the serial title, frequency, and whether it is Reference or Circulating. There are two types of these check-in cards – daily and monthly. Please check in daily and weekly on the daily cards, and monthly and quarterly on the monthly cards. File these cards in an alphabetical order.
Then for each issue received: find the correct index card, record the volume/ issue number, date of publication and date received. Please write legibly. You can use the attached for a list of current received titles, simply use the drop down arrow in cell A1 to limit to your agency.
Before Go Live you can continue to shelve and make available to customers any reference copies and newspapers. Please continue to hold circulating magazines until Go Live (June 14), when you can begin creating brief title records for circulation.
Serials data will be migrated to Unicorn, however each library’s serial control record for each title will have to be manually edited to set-up Unicorn parameters and create predictions. Central Serials staff will be using Central to refine procedures before getting branches setup and trained for serials check-in.
Your patience during this transition is appreciated. If you have questions, please contact me.
Thanks!
Wang-Ying Glasgow
Serials/Government Publications Manager
(901)-415-2709
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Upcoming cutoffs (May 12th) in preparation for Unicorn Go Live! Update-2
E-mail message from Paul Gahn to all reference and circulation staff and branch managers, May 14, 2007:
Using the RI command to change the Item ID (item barcode) on items where the barcode has or is falling off needs to be discontinued. This change won’t migrate to Unicorn.
If discovered during discharge, bill the customer per usual, then route out the item to your agency’s 6 digit code and hold in-house until Go Live. At Go Live you can change the item ID.
If the item is presented for checkout, please mark the item Withdrawn and do an on the fly record for the new barcode.
Security records for Classic logins will be edited to prevent this activity. Beginning tomorrow or earlier, if you try to RI in Bib Services you will see:
>>RI
Not authorized to perform this function ( to continue)
Paul Gahn
Using the RI command to change the Item ID (item barcode) on items where the barcode has or is falling off needs to be discontinued. This change won’t migrate to Unicorn.
If discovered during discharge, bill the customer per usual, then route out the item to your agency’s 6 digit code and hold in-house until Go Live. At Go Live you can change the item ID.
If the item is presented for checkout, please mark the item Withdrawn and do an on the fly record for the new barcode.
Security records for Classic logins will be edited to prevent this activity. Beginning tomorrow or earlier, if you try to RI in Bib Services you will see:
>>RI
Not authorized to perform this function (
Paul Gahn
Large print rotating procedures continue per normal
E-mail message from Paul Gahn to all circulation and reference staff and branch managers, May 14, 2007:
You can continue to return and get large print rotating books from the collection at Cherokee. This includes using the LL (Library loan function in Circulation Services). Although the temporary hold location from Classic doesn’t migrate to Unicorn, as part of Go Live activities, agencies will checkout large print rotating items on display in their agency to their agency large print account (BARLPR, CORLPR etc.) to reflect current location. This will explained further at the June 6th CSUG meeting and another email closer to Go Live.
Only the following libraries are currently authorized to have large print rotating collections in Sirsi Unicorn.
BARTLETT
CORDOVA
EASTSHELBY
FRAYSER
HIGHALND
PKYVILLAGE
POPWHITE
RALEIGH
RANDOLPH
WHITEHAVEN
If an agency believes they should be authorized to receive and display large print rotating, please have the agency manager make a request to the regional manager who will consult with Collection Development.
Thanks,
Paul
You can continue to return and get large print rotating books from the collection at Cherokee. This includes using the LL (Library loan function in Circulation Services). Although the temporary hold location from Classic doesn’t migrate to Unicorn, as part of Go Live activities, agencies will checkout large print rotating items on display in their agency to their agency large print account (BARLPR, CORLPR etc.) to reflect current location. This will explained further at the June 6th CSUG meeting and another email closer to Go Live.
Only the following libraries are currently authorized to have large print rotating collections in Sirsi Unicorn.
BARTLETT
CORDOVA
EASTSHELBY
FRAYSER
HIGHALND
PKYVILLAGE
POPWHITE
RALEIGH
RANDOLPH
WHITEHAVEN
If an agency believes they should be authorized to receive and display large print rotating, please have the agency manager make a request to the regional manager who will consult with Collection Development.
Thanks,
Paul
Monday, May 14, 2007
Upcoming cutoffs (May 12th) in preparation for Unicorn Go Live! Update-1
E-mail message from Paul Gahn to all reference staff, circulation staff, branch managers, and Item Control staff, May 14, 2007:
One additional instruction:
Please do not send requests to Item Control to have items changed from 7-day popular to 21-day checkout. This requires changing the material code and would have to be redone later in Unicorn. So please keep 7-day popular as such until Go Live and then make your request at that time.
If you are withdrawing the item you can continue to mark the item Withdrawn in Circle and follow normal procedures.
Continue to contact Item Control to have them make things available for checkout as needed.
Thanks,
Paul
One additional instruction:
Please do not send requests to Item Control to have items changed from 7-day popular to 21-day checkout. This requires changing the material code and would have to be redone later in Unicorn. So please keep 7-day popular as such until Go Live and then make your request at that time.
If you are withdrawing the item you can continue to mark the item Withdrawn in Circle and follow normal procedures.
Continue to contact Item Control to have them make things available for checkout as needed.
Thanks,
Paul
SirsiDynix Project Manager's Weekly Status Report #56
Unicorn Project Status Report
Status Report Date: 5/11/07
Site Name: Memphis Public Library (24 libraries)
Client Contact: Alan Stewart
Go-Live Date: 6/14/07
Software Release: GL 3.1
Go-Live: Yes
SureStart: 9 months
Project Manager: Jeannie Peters
Implementation Team: Damon Hunter (CS), Jenny Hendrickson (DC), Patty Suessen (TR), Pam Tejes (SC)
Sales Representative: Zuanarda Causey
Major Activities/ Meetings Completed
Activities/ Meetings Scheduled for Next Week
• Weekly Call on Tuesday at 2:00 Central time. The conference number will be used for all future calls.
• Continuing internal training and preparation for go live.
• Final extract of bib, item and authority data Sunday, May 13.
• Work on the final data load begins on Monday, May 14
Outstanding Issues
• Alex Feng and Alan continue to discuss EPS/Rooms issues.
• Testing continues on the EPS/Rooms auto backup script.
• Damon will apply the Solaris daylight savings time patch to the production server.
• Paul is continuing work with Damon on getting the IBM Infoprint configured as the system printer.
• Steve Foster is continuing working with Pam LaPier on determining maintenance for years 2 – 5 for hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and subscription fees associated with the contract between SirsiDynix and the City of Memphis. She has all fees completed except for the Sun Equipment and is waiting on the final work on the V890 Gold support. Jeannie requested that Pam send what she has completed to Steve now and send the completed document when she has the final details.
Project Status:
Note: As this section has not changed for several months, it will not be included in future blog postings of these reports unless it is updated. -- Alan Stewart
Friday, May 11, 2007
Sirsi Workflows performance issues
To all current and future Sirsi Workflows users:
Several staff members who have attended system training on Workflows have noticed a marked difference in how the software performs on the PCs in their agencies compared to those in the Computer Training Room. Specifically, the software can take a long time to fully load when first opened (as long as 10 minutes), and then performs slowly afterwards.
Why is Workflows so slow? The simple truth is that Workflows demands more memory than most of our staff PCs have available. SirsiDynix has been actively developing Unicorn and Workflows over the course of our 18-month ILS migration project, and the requirements for desktop PCs to run the software have become more stringent. Currently, SirsiDynix recommends a minimum of 512 megabytes of RAM (random access memory) for PCs running Workflows. The majority of our staff PCs have 128 MB (256 MB in some cases). This includes the "newer" PCs that some agencies have received in the last few months in conjunction with the Gates public PC replacement project and the Workflows rollout. (The new Gates PCs do have 512 MB of RAM, but by the terms of the Gates Foundation grant, those PCs are designated for public use.)
Upgrading the memory on staff PCs will be a priority for the Library in the coming fiscal year. In the meantime, here are steps you can take to make Workflows perform as well as possible in your agencies:
I appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through these and other issues on our way to a better, more modern ILS, and enhanced services for our customers.
Thank you,
Alan Stewart
Electronic Services Manager
-----------------------------------
Update, May 15, 2007:
If you're interested in learning more about RAM and why it's important, Kevin Dixon has posted a great explanation over on his MPLIC Tech Train blog.
Several staff members who have attended system training on Workflows have noticed a marked difference in how the software performs on the PCs in their agencies compared to those in the Computer Training Room. Specifically, the software can take a long time to fully load when first opened (as long as 10 minutes), and then performs slowly afterwards.
Why is Workflows so slow? The simple truth is that Workflows demands more memory than most of our staff PCs have available. SirsiDynix has been actively developing Unicorn and Workflows over the course of our 18-month ILS migration project, and the requirements for desktop PCs to run the software have become more stringent. Currently, SirsiDynix recommends a minimum of 512 megabytes of RAM (random access memory) for PCs running Workflows. The majority of our staff PCs have 128 MB (256 MB in some cases). This includes the "newer" PCs that some agencies have received in the last few months in conjunction with the Gates public PC replacement project and the Workflows rollout. (The new Gates PCs do have 512 MB of RAM, but by the terms of the Gates Foundation grant, those PCs are designated for public use.)
Upgrading the memory on staff PCs will be a priority for the Library in the coming fiscal year. In the meantime, here are steps you can take to make Workflows perform as well as possible in your agencies:
- Allow adequate time for Workflows to load before you need to use it. (For public service agencies, this may require some adjustment of your opening procedures prior to Go Live.)
- Do not have other programs (Internet Explorer, Outlook, Word, etc.) running while you are opening and logging in to Workflows.
- To the extent possible, try not to have other programs running during the day on PCs running Workflows. Every program has its own memory requirements, and memory being used by Word or Outlook means less memory available for Workflows, causing the program to run slower. (Information staff who need to use both Workflows and Internet Explorer to answer customers' questions may want to designate one PC on their public service desk for Workflows and another for IE, though this will not be possible in all agencies.)
I appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through these and other issues on our way to a better, more modern ILS, and enhanced services for our customers.
Thank you,
Alan Stewart
Electronic Services Manager
-----------------------------------
Update, May 15, 2007:
If you're interested in learning more about RAM and why it's important, Kevin Dixon has posted a great explanation over on his MPLIC Tech Train blog.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Go Live Training - Update for Reference Staff
E-mail message from Damone Virgilio to all reference staff, May 9, 2007:
The Sirsi Go Live training is well underway, and thus far the reactions have been very positive. Reference staff are discovering that we are being provided tools that are more powerful, and in most cases, easier to use than DRA. When oriented to the Rooms/EPS public website, staff are seeing that there are many enhancements and functions being made available to our customers. And, the breadth of content included in Rooms is astounding. All in all, this is an exciting time for us!
To make your training experience more fruitful, I would encourage you take a little time and review the Go Live training wiki Kevin developed before your scheduled training session. This will help orient you to some of the language and features available in Unicorn Workflows. Then, when you come to training, you will have some familiarity with the environment, allowing you to be able to focus more on the content of the training.
The training wiki can be found here:
http://tempo.memphislibrary.org/mediawiki/index.php/Go_Live_Training
We look forward to seeing all of you in Go Live training.
Damone Virgilio
Staff Development Manager
The Sirsi Go Live training is well underway, and thus far the reactions have been very positive. Reference staff are discovering that we are being provided tools that are more powerful, and in most cases, easier to use than DRA. When oriented to the Rooms/EPS public website, staff are seeing that there are many enhancements and functions being made available to our customers. And, the breadth of content included in Rooms is astounding. All in all, this is an exciting time for us!
To make your training experience more fruitful, I would encourage you take a little time and review the Go Live training wiki Kevin developed before your scheduled training session. This will help orient you to some of the language and features available in Unicorn Workflows. Then, when you come to training, you will have some familiarity with the environment, allowing you to be able to focus more on the content of the training.
The training wiki can be found here:
http://tempo.memphislibrary.org/mediawiki/index.php/Go_Live_Training
We look forward to seeing all of you in Go Live training.
Damone Virgilio
Staff Development Manager
SirsiDynix Project Manager's Weekly Status Report #55
Unicorn Project Status Report
Status Report Date: 5/4/07
Site Name: Memphis Public Library (24 libraries)
Client Contact: Alan Stewart
Go-Live Date: 6/14/07
Software Release: GL 3.1
Go-Live: Yes
SureStart: 9 months
Project Manager: Jeannie Peters
Implementation Team: Damon Hunter (CS), Jenny Hendrickson (DC), Patty Suessen (TR), Pam Tejes (SC)
Sales Representative: Zuanarda Causey
Major Activities/ Meetings Completed
• Zuanarda Causey has replaced Gina Wilhite as the new Sales Representative for Memphis.
• Memphis has been doing internal training in preparation for go live.
• The auto backup script for EPS/Rooms was to have been tested this week. Alan is working with Norm Curl to reschedule.
• Memphis will proceed as though they will be going live on EPS/Rooms 2.1.3. If 2.2 is released between now and the go live date, Memphis will look at how much time there is between the release date and the go live date and determine at that time what version they will actually go live on. They would prefer to go live on 2.2.
• Alex Feng and Alan continue to discuss various EPS/Rooms issues.
• Paul stated that SVA has been tested and it performed as it should have.
Activities/ Meetings Scheduled for Next Week
• Weekly Call on Tuesday at 2:00 Central time. The conference number will be used for all future calls. This will be our final data call prior to the final load and Jennifer Hendrickson will be on the call.
• Continuing internal training and preparation for go live.
Outstanding Issues
• Per Norm Curl, a rewrite of the auto backup script was to have been put into place the week of 4/23 and tested the week of 4/30. Testing will be postponed to the week of May 14.
• Waiting on a response from Damon regarding why the Solaris daylight savings time patch had been applied to the test server but not production.
• Paul is continuing work with Damon on getting the IBM Infoprint configured as the system printer. IBM has put the ball backing our court on this issue saying that they do not have Solaris support on their side and they are saying that the problem Paul is experiencing is a Solaris issue.
• Steve Foster is continuing working with Pam LaPier on determining maintenance for years 2 – 5 for hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and subscription fees associated with the contract between SirsiDynix and the City of Memphis. She has all fees completed except for the Sun Equipment and is waiting on the final work on the V890 Gold support.
Project Status:
Note: As this section has not changed for several months, it will not be included in future blog postings of these reports unless it is updated. -- Alan Stewart
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Upcoming cutoffs (May 12th) in preparation for Unicorn Go Live!
E-mail message from Paul Gahn to all staff, May 9, 2007:
With Unicorn Go Live quickly approaching please read carefully…
Saturday, May 12th, 2007 is the last day to perform the following functions in DRA Classic:
1.) Adding on-the-fly/unlinked item records for circulating magazines.
2.) Editing, creating or deleting item notes:
a. Any changes to item notes made after May 12th will not be migrated to SIRSI Unicorn.
After May 12th you can continue to:
a. Even though these won’t migrate, don’t deny a customer to check out a MPLIC circulating item they found on the shelf.
b. For those items still checked-out as of 9pm on June 13th, they will be created and charged to the customer in Unicorn on Go Live (ILL items will be the first priority)
2.) Mark items Missing, Withdrawn, Claims returned and Claims Lost.
a. These statuses migrate because circulation extracts occur closer and immediately before Go Live
3.) Route items in and out per normal activities.
a. Even though Route status doesn’t migrate/translate to Unicorn, we need to continue to use that function in Classic to reflect the location as items are requested and put on the hold shelf or sent to another location.
4.) Contact Item Control to make items available for Checkout.
a. For items that are in Route status because it belongs to another location but was discharged at your location and a customer spots it and wants to check it out.
Note: Cataloging and Item Control will not be adding new items (including gifts, donations) after Saturday, May 12th.
Other approaching cutoffs:
May 25th Last day for Serials check-in in Classic
June 6th Last day to add or edit customer accounts in Classic
Details about each of these cutoffs will be explained in separate emails closer to the dates.
If you have questions, let me know.
Thanks,
Paul
With Unicorn Go Live quickly approaching please read carefully…
Saturday, May 12th, 2007 is the last day to perform the following functions in DRA Classic:
1.) Adding on-the-fly/unlinked item records for circulating magazines.
2.) Editing, creating or deleting item notes:
a. Any changes to item notes made after May 12th will not be migrated to SIRSI Unicorn.
After May 12th you can continue to:
a. Even though these won’t migrate, don’t deny a customer to check out a MPLIC circulating item they found on the shelf.
b. For those items still checked-out as of 9pm on June 13th, they will be created and charged to the customer in Unicorn on Go Live (ILL items will be the first priority)
2.) Mark items Missing, Withdrawn, Claims returned and Claims Lost.
a. These statuses migrate because circulation extracts occur closer and immediately before Go Live
3.) Route items in and out per normal activities.
a. Even though Route status doesn’t migrate/translate to Unicorn, we need to continue to use that function in Classic to reflect the location as items are requested and put on the hold shelf or sent to another location.
4.) Contact Item Control to make items available for Checkout.
a. For items that are in Route status because it belongs to another location but was discharged at your location and a customer spots it and wants to check it out.
Note: Cataloging and Item Control will not be adding new items (including gifts, donations) after Saturday, May 12th.
Other approaching cutoffs:
May 25th Last day for Serials check-in in Classic
June 6th Last day to add or edit customer accounts in Classic
Details about each of these cutoffs will be explained in separate emails closer to the dates.
If you have questions, let me know.
Thanks,
Paul
Friday, May 04, 2007
SirsiDynix Project Manager's Weekly Status Report #54
Unicorn Project Status Report
Status Report Date: 4/27/07
Site Name: Memphis Public Library (24 libraries)
Client Contact: Alan Stewart
Go-Live Date: 6/14/07
Software Release: GL 3.1
Go-Live: Yes
SureStart: 9 months
Project Manager: Jeannie Peters
Implementation Team: Damon Hunter (CS), Jenny Hendrickson (DC), Patty Suessen (TR), Pam Tejes (SC)
Sales Representative: Gena Wilhite
Major Activities/ Meetings Completed
• The auto backup script for EPS/Rooms will be tested this week.
• Jennifer will discuss the question about Juvenile authority on the final data all next week. She has questions about what Memphis is asking for.
• Memphis is waiting on what the library’s decision makers decide regarding what version of EPS/Rooms to go live on…2.1 or 2.2.
• Memphis has begun installing the Workflows client.
• Damon was in Provo this week in training and has not worked on the IBM printer issue. Jeannie contacted him and asked him to look into it next week.
Activities/ Meetings Scheduled for Next Week
• Weekly Call on Tuesday at 2:00 Central time. The conference number will be used for all future calls.
• Continuing data review on the production server
• Continuing work on EPS/Rooms
Outstanding Issues
• Per Norm Curl, a rewrite of the auto backup script was to have been put into place the week of 4/23 and tested the week of 4/30.
• Waiting on a response from Damon regarding why the Solaris daylight savings time patch had been applied to the test server but not production.
• Paul is continuing work with Damon on getting the IBM Infoprint configured as the system printer. IBM has put the ball backing our court on this issue saying that they do not have Solaris support on their side and they are saying that the problem Paul is experiencing is a Solaris issue.
• Steve Foster is continuing working with Pam LaPier on determining maintenance for years 2 – 5 for hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and subscription fees associated with the contract between SirsiDynix and the City of Memphis. Pam is waiting to hear from someone else in the company before responding to Steve.
Project Status:
| Event | Status | Completion Date | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Completed | 01/24/06 | |
Hardware Install | Completed | 04/18/06 | |
| Software | Completed | 06/02/06 | |
| Policies/Profiling | Completed | 05/25/06 | |
| Data | On Schedule | ||
| SirsiDynix Training | On Schedule | ||
| Go Live | On Schedule | Postponed to 6/14/07. |
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
"Go Live" Training Kicks Off Today
With just over six weeks left until "Go Live," we've reached another milestone in our ILS migration project. Training for all MPLIC public service staff on the new SirsiDynix Unicorn ILS begins today, May 1, with the first three-hour reference staff session held this morning. The first circulation staff training session follows this Thursday, May 3.
I encourage you to engage with the new system and the new staff and public interfaces as you attend training and then return to your agencies to practice. Your trainers (Kevin Dixon, Becky Graham, and others) will be happy to answer your questions about the concepts and processes introduced in training. If you have questions that go beyond the training, however -- questions about why things were set up one way rather than another, or why a feature doesn't work quite the way you expected -- your Sirsi Implementation Team leaders would like to hear about those, too.
Questions about Workflows are best directed to Paul Gahn, while yours truly will be happy to take your questions about EPS/Rooms and Central Search. Feel free to post a question here as a blog comment, or e-mail us directly.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
SirsiDynix Project Manager's Weekly Status Report #53
Unicorn Project Status Report
Status Report Date: 4/20/07
Site Name: Memphis Public Library (24 libraries)
Client Contact: Alan Stewart
Go-Live Date: 6/14/07
Software Release: GL 3.1
Go-Live: Yes
SureStart: 9 months
Project Manager: Jeannie Peters
Implementation Team: Damon Hunter (CS), Jenny Hendrickson (DC), Patty Suessen (TR), Pam Tejes (SC)
Sales Representative: Gena Wilhite
Major Activities/ Meetings Completed
• Per Norm Curl, a rewrite of the auto backup script will be put into place the week of 4/23. This script will be tested the week of 4/30.
• Pam LaPier has been contacted regarding her work with Steve Foster on the year 2 – 5 for hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and subscription fees associated with the contract between SirsiDynix and the City of Memphis. Pam is waiting to hear from someone else in the company before responding to Steve.
• Paul talked to IBM this week and they do not have Solaris support on their side and they are saying that the problem Paul is experiencing is a Solaris issue. Both Paul and Jeannie have contacted Damon about this.
Activities/ Meetings Scheduled for Next Week
• Weekly Call on Tuesday at 2:00 Central time. The conference number will be used for all future calls.
• Continuing data review on the production server
• Continuing work on EPS/Rooms
Outstanding Issues
• Memphis continues to work with Norm Curl on correcting the error with the custom automated backup script for their EPS/Rooms server.
• Waiting on a response from Damon regarding why the Solaris daylight savings time patch had been applied to the test server but not production.
• Paul is continuing work with Damon on getting the IBM Infoprint configured as the system printer.
• Steve Foster is continuing working with Pam LaPier on determining maintenance for years 2 – 5 for hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and subscription fees associated with the contract between SirsiDynix and the City of Memphis.
• Memphis needs to know no later than 4/24 when the release date for EPS/Rooms 2.2 will be. When the release date is will determine what version Memphis will decide to go live on. They need time to make changes to their EPS/Rooms after the upgrade and to train their staff on the differences in the software version.
Project Status:
| Event | Status | Completion Date | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Completed | 01/24/06 | |
Hardware Install | Completed | 04/18/06 | |
| Software | Completed | 06/02/06 | |
| Policies/Profiling | Completed | 05/25/06 | |
| Data | On Schedule | ||
| SirsiDynix Training | On Schedule | ||
| Go Live | On Schedule | Postponed to 6/14/07. |
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
SirsiDynix Project Manager's Weekly Status Report #52
Unicorn Project Status Report
Status Report Date: 4/13/07
Site Name: Memphis Public Library (24 libraries)
Client Contact: Alan Stewart
Go-Live Date: 6/14/07
Software Release: GL 3.1
Go-Live: Yes
SureStart: 9 months
Project Manager: Jeannie Peters
Implementation Team: Damon Hunter (CS), Jenny Hendrickson (DC), Patty Suessen (TR), Pam Tejes (SC)
Sales Representative: Gena Wilhite
Major Activities/ Meetings Completed
• Three data issues were submitted to Jenny Hendrickson and she responded to them.
• Alex Feng is continuing discussions with Alan regarding EPS/Rooms questions and issues.
Activities/ Meetings Scheduled for Next Week
• Weekly Call on Tuesday at 2:00 Central time. The conference number will be used for all future calls.
• Continuing data review on the production server
• Continuing work on EPS/Rooms
Outstanding Issues
• Memphis continues to work with Norm Curl on correcting the error with the custom automated backup script for their EPS/Rooms server.
• Waiting on a response from Damon regarding why the Solaris daylight savings time patch had been applied to the test server but not production.
• Paul is continuing work with Damon on getting the IBM Infoprint configured as the system printer.
• Steve Foster is continuing working with Pam LaPier on determining maintenance for years 2 – 5 for hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and subscription fees associated with the contract between SirsiDynix and the City of Memphis
Project Status:
| Event | Status | Completion Date | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Completed | 01/24/06 | |
Hardware Install | Completed | 04/18/06 | |
| Software | Completed | 06/02/06 | |
| Policies/Profiling | Completed | 05/25/06 | |
| Data | On Schedule | ||
| SirsiDynix Training | On Schedule | ||
| Go Live | On Schedule | Postponed to 6/14/07. |
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
"Go Live" Reference Training Dates Announced
From: Cynthia White, Staff Development
To: All Managers
Below are the ILS training dates for ALL part-time and full-time Reference staff. Please contact Cynthia White (email: whitec or phone: ext2722) to schedule your staff.
To: All Managers
Below are the ILS training dates for ALL part-time and full-time Reference staff. Please contact Cynthia White (email: whitec or phone: ext2722) to schedule your staff.
This training will cover:
- Workflows (Replaces Circle; covers Item Searching and Holds)
- EPS/Rooms (Online Library Catalog and other online content)
- Central Search (Federated searching tool that can search all library databases).
Please note that two evening sessions will be conducted for part-time staff who cannot attend daytime sessions.
Because of the number of staff to be trained, attendance is limited to one session. We can review Refresher training needs after Go Live/June 14, 2007.
Also, because of the number of staff to be trained, some staff will be trained well before Go Live. It is crucial for these staff to spend time at their agency refreshing their skills leading up to Go Live/June 14, 2007.
| Go Live SIRSI Reference Training Dates/Times Available | ||
| 1. Tues | May 1 | 9:30a-12:30p |
| 2. Wed | May 2 | 9:30a-12:30p |
| 3. Fri | May 4 | 9:30a-12:30p |
| 4. Tues | May 8 | 1-4p |
| 5. Wed | May 9 | 9:30a-12:30p |
| 6. Fri | May 11 | 9:30a-12:30p |
| 7. Mon | May 14 | 1-4p |
| 8. Wed | May 16 | 9:30a-12:30p |
| 9. Mon | May 21 | 1-4p |
| 10. Tues | May 22 | 9:30a-12:30p |
| 11. Wed | May 23 | 5-8p |
| 12. Fri | May 25 | 9:30a-12:30p |
| 13. Tues | May 29 | 1-4p |
| 14. Wed | May 30 | 5-8p |
| 15. Fri | June 1 | 9:30a-12:30p |
All sessions will be held in the Computer Training Lab-L50.
SirsiDynix Project Manager's Weekly Status Report #51
Unicorn Project Status Report
Status Report Date: 4/6/07
Site Name: Memphis Public Library (24 libraries)
Client Contact: Alan Stewart
Go-Live Date: 6/14/07
Software Release: GL 3.1
Go-Live: Yes
SureStart: 9 months
Project Manager: Jeannie Peters
Implementation Team: Damon Hunter (CS), Jenny Hendrickson (DC), Patty Suessen (TR), Pam Tejes (SC)
Sales Representative: Gena Wilhite
Major Activities/ Meetings Completed
• Steve Foster contacted Pam LaPier for assistance in determining years 2 – 5 for hardware maintenance, software maintenance, and subscription fees associated with the contract between SirsiDynix and the City of Memphis
• Alex Feng has been working with Alan this week on some EPS/Rooms questions
• Paul resumed work with Damon on getting the IBM Infoprint configured as the system printer
• Paul also questioned Damon as to why the Solaris daylight savings time patch had been applied to the test server but not production.
Activities/ Meetings Scheduled for Next Week
• Weekly Call on Tuesday at 2:00 Central time. The conference number will be used for all future calls.
• Continuing data review on the production server
• Continuing work on EPS/Rooms
Outstanding Issues
• Memphis continues to work with Norm Curl on correcting the error with the custom automated backup script for their EPS/Rooms server.
Project Status:
| Event | Status | Completion Date | Notes: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Completed | 01/24/06 | |
Hardware Install | Completed | 04/18/06 | |
| Software | Completed | 06/02/06 | |
| Policies/Profiling | Completed | 05/25/06 | |
| Data | On Schedule | ||
| SirsiDynix Training | On Schedule | ||
| Go Live | On Schedule | Postponed to 6/14/07. |
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