ODIN_ANNOUNCEMENTS
2009/07/20
Version 19 installation was completed on Sunday July 19, 2009. The system 'up' announcment went out at 11:11am.
2009/06/26
The upgrade of ODIN's ALEPH 500 installation is on track for the upgrade from version 18 to version 19 on the weekend of July 18-19.
Refresh of version 19 test database from production done in preparation for final testing of v19 upgrade.
Loaded seven ebook collections for Dickinson State University Library.
Completed testing functionality of all ALEPH version 19 modules.
New database vendor Learning Express has set up ODIN libraries at their end. ODIN has created linking data at our end.
Testing the setup for the Learning Express databases in underway.
Testing and course development is underway for version 19. It's anticipated eight different sessions (at multiple times) will be held including: Circulation Overview, Interlibrary Loan Overview, Acquisitions/Serials Overview, Cataloging Overview, Course Reserves, Permissions, Task Manager and Off-line Circulation Refresher. Sessions will be held via Wimba, and with the exception of Course Reserves and Permissions (which are expected to last 1-2 hours) will likely be approximately 30 minutes in duration.
ALEPH PC server reorganization in progress to reduce memory overhead and log file maintenance.
Reviewing of IP address and library subscription data for all libraries in North Dakota continues. This data supports the authorization of access to statewide database subscriptions for over 300 North Dakota libraries.
As the ALEPH Product Group Chair for ELUNA, Linda Allbee has been asked to attend an Ex Libris Product Group meeting being held in conjunction with the IGeLU (International Group of Ex Libris Users) conference in Helsinki, Finland September 6-9, 2009.
2009/06/15
Working with research database vendors to implement the addition of new databases that are part of the recently completed three state (ND, SD, MN) RFP. New contract takes effect on July 1, 2009.
ND State Library Vision 2015 “Think Tank?meeting, Friday, May 29, Minot and Friday June in Fargo.
NDUS Strategy Forum: Meeting the Needs of a Changing Student Body being held June 8 and 9 2009 at Bismarck State College
Installed service pack 2069 in production June 2.
Text and email functions now working in the VuFind alternative public interface for ODIN’s ALEPH library system. Library users can ‘text?records to their cell phone or email them to their email account using the new interface.
Loading of Congressional Information Records (CIS) completed for UND Law Library.
Walk through of the version 18 to version 19 upgrade express process has been done twice. Work in progress now on ODIN specific configuration files that require manual merge or update
Maintenance interface for library authentication and subscriptions completed.
2009/05/01
At the NDUS System Information Technology Services (SITS) staff meeting at UND. Ellen Kotrba was recognized for 30 years of service.
Successfully ‘moved?collections from remote locations to the newly opened Fargo Public Library main library on April 25, 2009.
Fargo Public Library Holds configuration completed. Sweep of tab_31, changes to tab_100, changes to items for holds.
Setup additional z39.50 configurations for SDLN, UofM, UofM Crookston, NDSU. Made significant changes to attributes in z39 config.
Global changes to ND State College of Science call number changes done. Changed more than 65,775 records needing call number normalization in more than 520 global change ‘runs?
Custom Services have been reordered in the client 'drop down' menu for easier readability and 'findability'.
Chester Fritz Library, UND, Circulation Department has email courtesy notices set up on production.
Preparation of version 19 training material is in progress.
Version 19 initial review of documentation done. Copy of ODIN’s customized environment from production to v19 test and required modifications week of May 4. Walk through of process and documentation of same to follow.
Staff support pages for the migration are being built for all modules.
The scrips to update the VuFind database from the ALEPH system have been modified and tested with success. The database is being updated daily.
2009/04/14
Ex Libris has installed the version 19 environment on an ODIN Test server on March 4 - 6.
Inventory training material has been added to training/circulation page on the staff site.
An extract of the full production database from ALEPH to the VuFind server has been done.The ALPEH version 18 Netlibrary loader is working well. Two libraries are configured and records have been loaded to Production. Waiting for review and approval on test loads from eight libraries.
The load process for records from Midwest Express is in progress. Acquired test records from vendor. Running testing with Fargo Public Library. They are the only library, at present, requiring this vendor.
Changed more than 65,775 records needing call number normalization in more than 520 global ‘runs?for ND State School of Science.
Working with Fargo Public staff to ‘move?collections from remote locations to the newly opening main library. On schedule for the library opening on April 25, 2009.
The merging of the ODIN staff support web site and the ‘public?library search menu is progressing. This will create a single entry point for ODIN web content.
Improvements are in progress regarding the licensed database authentication services provided for all North Dakota libraries by ODIN.
The database RFP project being run by the MINITEX organization in Minnesota is finishing its evaluation phase. This is the procurement process for many licensed research databases that are licensed state wide. Target for the new contract is July.
2009/03/09
Welcome to Hanjun Lee, ODIN's new web programmer, who started with ODIN the week of 2/16.
The "branding" of each library on the public catalog is making progress. ODIN is putting library logos in place on the headers of their web pages as they are provided/approved by each library.
A full review of the ALEPH indexing is in progress. When done this will be run in Test for review by libraries.
There is a new ODIN version 18 documentation for Acquisitions and Serials. These are on the ODIN staff web site in the respective module Training area.
Training sessions are being conducted for the version 18 inventory module. Three sessions have been done. One more is scheduled at this time. Posted inventory documentation, a recorded Wimba session and PERCON scanner instructions at http://www.odin.nodak.edu/staff/trn-circ.html
There is also new document on How to install a Test client on the Systems Librarian training page of the ODIN staff web site.The base install of the VuFind software is in place and is running with test data. Further ODIN specific configuration is underway. Extraction of 100,000 records from ODIN's ALEPH Test server has been done and went well. Libraries are providing information on links and logos for the installation. Still have to do essential interface 'presentation' work.
Testing was completed for loading of Netlibrary bibliographic records. Two libraries, Fargo Public and Chester Fritz, have now had records loaded into Production. Working with other libraries to set up required configuration files for loading.
Ex Libris has installed the version 19 environment on an ODIN Test server on March 4 - 6. ODIN staff have started initial configuration work on the version 19 server.
A test instance of a new ODIN web server has been created. This is to develope a merged ODIN public and staff support web site. ODIN is also for working on improvements to the database authentication services and related services.
2009/02/03
Installed SP1994 on Production this morning without incident. Post install issues reported seem to be limited to problems some libraries have experienced with with the version check of the ILL client exe file.
2009/01/21
Pleacement of library logo graphics and links back to library home pages are being put on ALEPH Test. The initial libraries include ND University System libraries and larger public libraries.
Added 856 links to the holdings page display. Added a link to the full record display to provide a display of all holdings on a single pages in the instance where the library has multiple copies.
2009/01/20
Netlibrary testing completed successfully. First loads to Production ALEPH system done today.2009/01/14
Service pack 1994 installed on Test ALPEH.2009/01/04
Computer center power outage scheduled for this day was completed without incident.2008/12/16
X-services fix applied by Ex Libris. The intermittant crashing of the x-services process should ceased due to this fix.2008/12/14
Service pack 1871 installed on Production ALEPH.2008/11/18
Fiber switch installed on 'shark' disk array in preparation to move ALPEH library data to new disk.2008/11/13
Service pack 1871 implementation done on version 18 ALEPH Test server.2008/11/07
Service pack 1871 installed on version 18 ALPEH Test server.2008/10/29
Initial testing of the loading Netlibrary records via version 18 loader done. Very successful but a problem remains in handling records that are owned by more than five libraries in the ODN01 database.2008/10/21
Version 18 Test server was brought up.2008/10/15
The patch to fix the ILL2 'locate' problem was installed by Ex Libris2008/09/11
The latest Aleph service pack (1737) was installed this morning.
Staff who use the client will be prompted to download new files. Please "accept all" when prompted to complete the version check process on your Aleph pc clients.
2008/09/09
ODIN will be installing the latest service pack (SP1737 details) starting at about 1:00a.m. on September 11. This SP install contains a significant number of ILL2 related fixes. On Thursday morning a message will announce the installation of the SP. The version check that occurs when you start your Aleph client in the morning should tell you that there are new files to download. Please "accept all" when prompted.
2008/08/06
Version 18 upgrade was completed at approximately 4:00am on Monday July 21.
2008/07/18
Version 18 Upgrade Underway
ODIN's version 16 Aleph production system was shutdown as advertised at 9:05pm last night. Your library should be using the Aleph version 18 client to do offline circulation as of this (Friday 7/18/2008) morning to conduct your circulation activities.
2008/07/11
Offline Circulation and Version 18
During the migration to version 18 next week, it will be necessary for you to use *Version 18* Offline Circulation to record circulation transactions. Offline Circulation in v.18 works the same way it currently does in v.16.
Two online Wimba sessions will be held Tuesday (7/15/08) and Wednesday (7/16/08) to present an Offline Circ refresher class. A document regarding Offline Circ has been created and is available on the Version 18 Circulation page Details sent to ODIN-CIRC list via email.
2008/07/07
ILL Training Sessions via Wimba
Two online Wimba sessions will be held Wednesday (7/9/08) and Thursday (7/10/08) to present the ALEPH version 18 Interlibrary Loan module. A recorded session covering the same material will also be available on the ODIN site Wednesday ?a notice with access information will be sent to the list once the recording is available. I anticipate the session will last approximately one hour. Details sent to ODIN-ILL list via email.
2008/07/03
Version 18 Go-live
The move to version 18 is on track for July 18. As stated in an earlier message to directors, we are estimating that the upgrade process will take four days. Some items to note:
Public Catalog Access: During the transition time the version 16 Public Catalog will be up and running with limited functionality (no renewals or ILL requests). This should allow library users to identify/find material in your library during the transition period.
Circulation: Circulation will have to use the off-line circulation procedures during the time we are making the transition. This process is no different than the one you use during any brief outages you may have encountered in the course of daily operations. Linda Allbee will conduct training sessions on off-line circulation prior to the go-live date.
Training / Familiarization: Most of you have seen that Linda Allbee has been sending out information to the circulation, acquisitions/serials and cataloging lists on training sessions that she will be holding in the coming weeks. The ILL2 session announcement will be coming soon. These training sessions will focus on things that have changed in version 18. All modules except ILL will look familiar to you. (Linda had previously sent out a document to the ILL list showing comparative screens between the current web ILL and the version 18 client based "ILL2").
2008/06/30
Wimba Open House Sessions Announced
In preparation for ALEPH version 18, the ODIN office will be offering online sessions to discuss new/changed functionality during the week of July 7. We will be conducting live sessions, and recorded sessions will be available on the ODIN webpage (specifics regarding these sessions will be sent to the list later this week).
The online sessions will be delivered via a Web training tool called Wimba. Similar to other tools you may have used, such as WebEx or Interwise, Wimba allows us to meet via the Internet. Additionally, Wimba uses voice-over IP ?and while a computer microphone and speakers could be utilized, it is highly recommended (if possible) to use a head-set with your computer for the audio portion of sessions. If neither is available to you, Wimba also provides a toll number that can be called in conjunction with the session to participate in the audio portion of meetings.
Information regarding Wimba and preparing your computer for sessions can be found at (Wimba Introduction). This brief step-by-step guide will walk you through the basics of Wimba, including how to access the meeting site. Additionally, I will be offering a “Wimba Open House?a few times this week (times listed below) where you are welcome to take a few minutes to connect to Wimba to be certain your set-up is complete. You are able to run the Wimba set-up wizard at any time and are not limited to the Open House times, although I would encourage you to “stop by?the room if possible for a few minutes during one of the sessions just to confirm your access
2008/06/17
New Reports Now Available in Circulation:
? Tab18 Cash Transactions within a Sublibrary by Date Range (cust-26) This service lists patrons who have tab18 cash transactions linked to their record within a particular date range. The report contains item barcode, patron status, patron name, tab18 cash type and amount. The report can be run either by Patron Status or Patron Name. NOTE: Most, if not all of ODIN patrons are registered at the ADM level (XXX50), and you will want to enter that code into the “ADM Library or Sublibrary?field. If your library registers patron by sublibrary, that code may be used in this field as well.
? Item Report by Collection (cust-33) This service lists items in a specified collection, sorted by author and secondarily by title, based on the open-date of the item record. The report includes item barcode, author and title. This service is not intended to pull multiple sublibrary information, therefore an individual sublibrary must be selected when submitting the service (“All?or selecting multiple sublibraries will not work).
? Count of Items Within a Sublibrary and Collection by Call Number Range (cust-404) This service counts the number of items within a particular call number range in a single collection within a sublibrary. The call number is pulled from the z30_call_no field. This service is not intended to pull multiple sublibrary information, therefore an individual sublibrary must be selected when submitting the service (“All?or selecting multiple sublibraries will not work). NOTE: The call number letters must be capitalized ?for example: use call number PN1995 instead of pn1995.
? Count of Items Within a Call Number Range (cust-405) This service counts the number of items within a particular call number range in an ADM, regardless of sublibrary. The call number is pulled from the z30_call_no field. NOTE: The call number letters must be capitalized ?for example: use call number PN1995 instead of pn1995.
2008/06/09
New Reports Now Available in Circulation:
? Weeding Report By Collection (cust-30) This service identifies items that have not circulated since a specified date. The report contains item barcode, call no., author, title, total circs, total in-house use, total not loan return, last use date, date added and processing status. This service is not intended to pull multiple sublibrary information, therefore an individual sublibrary must be selected when submitting the service (“All?or selected multiple sublibraries will not work).
? Loan Usage By Collection (cust-31) This service lists each item and the number of loans during a date range. The report includes item barcode, open date, total number of circs and rush. This service is not intended to pull multiple sublibrary information, therefore an individual sublibrary must be selected when submitting the service (“All?or selected multiple sublibraries will not work).
2008/06/04
To satisfy questions about the nature of the change in the ILL interface from version 16 to version 18 a document has been created to compare the two. The look and feel of the interface will be quite similar to the web-based module currently being used. A document highlighting the similarities (Screen Comparison of ALEPH version 16 and version 18 ILL Modules) of ILL in the two versions which is available. .
The database cloning of aleph16 from libserv5 to libserv3 was successfully completed. The completion of this process is the first part of the process of a test run for the upgrade of
2008/05/30
New Reports Now Available in Circulation:
? Patron Total Based on Expiration Date (cust-15) This service provides counts of patron records, sorted by patron status, within a particular date range based on the local patron record expiration date. The service can be run on the ADM level (XXX50) or the sublibrary level (XXXMA) depending on which level your local patrons are registered.
? Patron ID / Expiration Date (cust-16) This service lists patron ID's and their expiration date within a particular date range based on the local patron record expiration date. The service can be run on the ADM level (XXX50) or the sublibrary level (XXXMA) depending on which level your local patrons are registered.
? Total Patrons Using Open Date (cust-17) This service provides counts of patron records, sorted by patron status, within a particular date range based on the local patron record open date. The service can be run on the ADM level (XXX50) or the sublibrary level (XXXMA) depending on which level your local patrons are registered.
? Circulation Statistics - By Date/Hour (cust-27) This service provides counts of loans, renewals, holds and returns within a particular date range. The statistics are sorted by date and hour. This service is very similar to the Circulation Statistics By Hour (cust-28) service released earlier, however, this service includes a breakdown by date. This service is not intended to pull multiple sublibrary information, therefore an individual sublibrary must be selected when submitting the service ("All" or selected multiple sublibraries will not work).
? Circulation Statistics / Collection, Patron Status, Event Type (cust-29) This service provides counts for events (such as loans, renewals, etc.) within a particular date range. The statistics are broken down by collection code, patron status, borrower type and event type. Additionally, a key to the various event types appears at the beginning of the report. This service is not intended to pull multiple sublibrary information, therefore an individual sublibrary must be selected when submitting the service ("All" or selected multiple sublibraries will not work).
2008/03/31 - A full re-indexing of the production system was started today on Production. The indexing jobs are working in the background so you will be able to continue with your regular work practices and procedures. While the indexing jobs are running, any NEW or UPDATED records in ODN01 (PROD) are indexed, through the ue_01 and z07 mechanism, on the current indexes. When the indexing jobs complete all records that are new or edited since the indexing was started will go through the indexing process.
Word: p_manage_01 Direct: p_manage_05 update short bib records: p_manage_07, update the sort index: p_manage_27, Headings Indexes: p_manage_102 (pre-enrich the bib headings index), p_manage_02 (headings index), p_manage_17 (alphabetize long headings), p_manage_35 (brief records), p_manage_32 (builds counters). Changes to the Word, Direct, indexes and other changes which we will describe in a separate email. We will keep you posted during this progress!
2008/01/07 - On 12/20, 12/23, 12/26, 12/28, 12/30 and 1/6 early morning hours Oracle files were reorganized on the version 16 Production server. This work allows us to do space allocation planning for the move to version 18.
- A new re-indexing was completed 12/15/2007. Client response time problem has been resolved.
STAFF SITE CHANGES
The ODIN staff site has a new look. The tab structure should make it easier to find the information you are seeking. For those who were frequent users some note below regarding frequently needed links to help get you acclimated to the changes. Explore the top tabs to get a sense of how links are grouped.
- The links to create Remedy Help Desk Ticket or start a WebEx support can be found using the 'Help' link on the 'Home' tab.
- There is now a 'Download' link on the 'Home' tab for the Aleph Client and other software.
- The Ex Libris Documentation Center and selected documents are on the Documentation link.
- ODIN Systems Links has both Production and Test systems; ODIN public catalog, Web ILL and Docutek links.
- Advisory Council and library directory information is grouped under the 'About ODIN' tab.
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