NuGen User Group Meeting

October 13, 2011

Minutes

Meeting called to order at 10:44

Old Business

Reports being worked on:
State aid compilation of statistics for ease in completing Annual Report (Started inviting input)
Renewal report to combine renewal numbers with check-out numbers to show activity (Finished)

Michele read Old Business notes from last meeting:
Working on Quick Marc. (Not sure what this refers to)
Working on Viewfind as IPAC
Batch run of Marc records is in progress (Will be in the new system. Retroconvert function)
Keyword patron search is in progress. (Will be in the new system. Address ???)
Putting circulation rules on one page is in progress.
Driver’s License field does not always allow all numbers – Al will look at it. (Works without dashes)
(Drupal is just one of many web content management systems that can be used to facilitate web site management)
Al suggests using the Forum at nugen.com to post information and questions that others can respond to. Must request login and password. (We will be trying to use this method to make all sorts of questions and answers more manageable)

Lunch was served 11:50-12:35.

New Business

New requests or problems:

In programming, when scanning ISBN #, it kicks out of the page. (will be in new version)
Check in “Overdue fine” will only show one transaction when clicking on “account” rather than showing total due in account. (will be in new version)
Need automated method for end-of-day or end-of-month counts. (If this is what Marjorie from Benzonia was talking about, it will be in new version)

A way to limit renewal options online to prevent monopolizing of books.
One idea: “Hot Title” shows on IPAC. MelCat can’t request. (This is already the case)

Help LibNet to work with MelCat so books don’t have to be checked in and out twice.
Al can do it, but not quite yet. He has to work with NCIP (interface to communicate with MelCat) and SOAP to make it work. (will be in new version)
“Weeded” doesn’t need to be also added to Mel anymore.
Al would like to use individual libraries to check on what is working. (What does this mean?)

Bob is working on inventory program that uses cordless scanner.
Bob will demo at requesting libraries.
Program will have one-time fee of about $500.

Al’s new programming project
Will work with Windows 7. (Windows 8, Mac and Linux and Ipad eventually)
Cost for upgraded program will be approximately $1000-2000.
Al did demo of new program in present state.
Benefits of new program:
Al will do all backups real time.
Won’t need server in individual library. Storage will be in “cloud.”
Updates will be done for everyone all at once.
If we lose internet service for a time, still will be able to check out books, etc. that will be updated when the system is back up.
Will have direct access to email for overdues.
The upgrade from present system will be instant.
There will not be much new learning for library workers.
CatEdit will do spine labels. It does now, but Al will revise the process.
Search catalog will have “find similar titles” button.
Automatic “Has Had” is possible, but discussion indicated that this is probably not legally desirable. Patron must have choice.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:25.
Next meeting is Thursday, January 26, 2012, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm

Respectfully submitted,
Dick Williams, Central Lake Director

Attending:

Beaver Island District Library - Phyllis and Joe
Benzonia Public Library - Marjory
Central Lake District Library - Dick
Elk Rapids District Library - Nannette and Tim
Glen Lake Community Library - David
Helena Township Library - Sue
Indian River Area Library - Cindy
Kalkaska County Library - James, Deb and Brad
Leelanau Township Library - Deb
Leland Township Library - Donna
Mancelona Township Library - Linda
Richfield Township Library - Sue
NuGen - Al
NuGen - Bob
NuGen - Michele

Not attending:

Bellaire Public Library
Benzie Shores District Library
Betsie Valley District Library
M Alice Chapin Memorial Library - Marion
Reed City Public Library
Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library