This is a reminder that libraries need to update their websites to use the iBorrow logo when they migrate from Alleycat to iBorrow. We recommend that the libraries listed above make this change on the evening of July 18th or early morning on the 19th.
The logos are available on the iBorrow staff website at http://www.tblc.org/iborrow-project/logos.shtml The link should point to www.iborrow.org.
The new URSA software can now handle patrons requesting individual volumes of a multi-volume title. The procedure for staff to handle processing of this type of request is now available on the iBorrow staff website at http://www.tblc.org/iborrow-project/policies.shtml.
We have fielded many questions about how staff will place requests in iBorrow for library patrons who are more comfortable with having library staff place their requests for them.
Instructions for Staff Placing Requests for Patrons are now available in the Policies and Procedures section of iBorrow staff website at http://www.tblc.org/iborrow-project/policies.shtml.
In order for staff to have the appropriate access in the iBorrow portal to access the Proxy Request for a Patron screen (clarified in the procedure) they must use a “staff login”. A staff login is a login used to log into the iBorrow client–the staff side interface.
Staff logins will be provided to library staff just prior to go-live. If your library would like to have a staff login created just for accessing the iBorrow portal to place requests for patrons please notify me at farmerb@tblc.org.
TBLC staff have been working with staff at SirsiDynix and in participating libraries to continue setup of iBorrow. Many thanks to everyone who has participated in this process. We appreciate all of your efforts and ask that you continue to bear with us as we work through this process.As we look at our progress to date, we find that a combination of software problems and software opportunities suggest that it would be best to push our launch date back a week.
Here is a brief summary.
We’ve been given the opportunity to move from the shared URSA server in Provo, Utah, to a server dedicated to TBLC. This is a very big change, because many of the improvements to the iBorrow portal we’ve suggested so far (Often these are your suggestions that we are passing along) have been denied, because they would affect SirsiDynix’s other URSA clients. If we have our own server, those objections go away and we will be able to customize the interface more. So, we have agreed to move to the new server.
However, that means the URSA client and the iBorrow portals will have a new address. And that raises some problems. First, that address needs to be “propagated through the DNS space” by SirsiDynix. That process can take up to 48 hours, which takes us right up to July 12. Once the address is propagated to all the DNS servers, each of you will have to download the URSA client again and bookmark the new iBorrow portal addresses. We know that some of you must work with your local IT staff to install or update the URSA client. And if it is not available until Wednesday, there is no realistic way you can get your IT staff to enable it on your local PC’s that same day.
We also need to give your Webmasters time to replace the current AlleyCat link on your catalog with the new iBorrow link with the new URL.
Finally, and this is not a software issue, some of you have experienced staffing problems that have kept you from getting your setup data to us, so some of you are still not completely set up in URSA’s master tables.
With all of these issues in mind, we feel that we can best serve you and your patrons by pushing the initial launch date back to Wednesday, July 19. We will be working with all of you between now and then to iron out the problems—and opportunities—we’ve run into. And we may be able to launch on July 19 with a larger group than we could have achieved on July 12.
Thank you for your patience with what we know is a lengthy and often frustrating process.
We will continue to keep you updated as we proceed. Expect to hear from us often throughout the coming week.
Please contact us if you have questions:
iBorrow Project and Training Coordination – Beth Farmer, Assistant Director, 813.622.8252 ex 228 / farmerb@tblc.org
iBorrow Technical Issues – Al Carlson, System Administrator, 813.622.8252 ex 223 / carlsoa@tblc.org ; and Matt Smith, Technical Assistant, 813.622.8252 ex 229 / smithmm@tblc.org
Administration – Charlie Parker, Executive Director, 813.622.8252 ex 222 / cparker@tblc.org
We encourage staff in iBorrow participating libraries to subscribe to the iborrow email list. We will use it, this blog and the iBorrow staff website to communicate with you. You can subscribe to the iBorrow email list at http://lists.tblc.org/mailman/listinfo/iborrow.
FYI–this list replaced the aal-talk mailing list.
The iBorrow staff website is now available. Check it out http://www.tblc.org/iborrow-project/index.shtml.