Cosugi 2011 is the most exciting conference for me so far. The topics were more relevant to me as a systems administrator. It was also exciting to meet SirsiDynix staffs. I see their names on listserves and phone conferences all the time but this is the firt time that I had a chance to see how they look like. I am very thankful to Rochester Public Library for this conference. After this conference, I feel much more confident in SirsiDynix and its products as well because it shows me that this company is much more of an innovator than others. It puts money and resources into development and is constantly releasing updates.
While at the conference, I was also surprised to find out that our director, Audrey Betcher was a classmate or colleague of Sirsi's Anne Arthur at St. Louis? What a small world.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Cosugi 2011 Day 3-Session 5-Discover User Search Characteristics with Weblogs
Presenter: Tao You, Vanderbilt University
She analyzed SirsiDynix weblogs and system access logs and developed a tool to help provide reports and statistics about library visitor's search activities. She discussed where Symphony saves search queries, and how to read and transfer search logs to a database, which becomes the source data for future visual display and further statistical analyzis.
I did something similar to what the presenter did a while ago for RPL. I wrote a program to parse thru the Sirsi transaction logs and transfer these statistics to our SQL server and save it there for analysis. An advantage to doing this is that once transfered to SQL, it stays there long term. Staffs can go back to it years after the transaction happened.
She analyzed SirsiDynix weblogs and system access logs and developed a tool to help provide reports and statistics about library visitor's search activities. She discussed where Symphony saves search queries, and how to read and transfer search logs to a database, which becomes the source data for future visual display and further statistical analyzis.
I did something similar to what the presenter did a while ago for RPL. I wrote a program to parse thru the Sirsi transaction logs and transfer these statistics to our SQL server and save it there for analysis. An advantage to doing this is that once transfered to SQL, it stays there long term. Staffs can go back to it years after the transaction happened.
Cosugi 2011 Day 3: Session 4-Web Services : a light of tradition
Product Manager, Nathan Quinn discussed about Web Services: what they are, real life applications, current capabilities and what's up next. More like an advertisement for web services so I didn't pick up much information from this session. Nathan did give me his card just in case I have problems with web services though.
Cosugi 2011 Day 3: Session 3-Mapping your library with web services and google maps
Presenter: John Wohlers, Waubonsee Community College
The presenter uses the new web services API in combination with Google Maps to create an interactive library floor map that displays the locations of items directly in the OPAC
Technology Used:
*SirsiDynix Web Services API
*SirsiDynix E-Library
*PHP
*MySQL
*Google Maps API V3
*Google Earth
*QR Codes
*Adobe Photoshop / Fireworks
I think this is a very nice feature for patrons. Currently, a new patron would have no clue where in the library an item is located based on the call number that we provide. With this program, it would point to the shelf and patrons can just walk there to get it. As a programmer, I would love to implement this at RPL someday.
The presenter uses the new web services API in combination with Google Maps to create an interactive library floor map that displays the locations of items directly in the OPAC
Technology Used:
*SirsiDynix Web Services API
*SirsiDynix E-Library
*PHP
*MySQL
*Google Maps API V3
*Google Earth
*QR Codes
*Adobe Photoshop / Fireworks
I think this is a very nice feature for patrons. Currently, a new patron would have no clue where in the library an item is located based on the call number that we provide. With this program, it would point to the shelf and patrons can just walk there to get it. As a programmer, I would love to implement this at RPL someday.
Cosugi 2011 Day 3:Session 2-Got SaaS? Take Full Advantage of It!
What is SaaS?
It is a software development where an application is hosted as a service and provided to customers across the internet.
Advantages to using SaaS:
1. replace end of life hardware
2. maintain expensive maintenance contracts
3. Staff 24x7 monitoring of system
4. Focus employees on staff and patrons
5. Experience reduced implementation time
Library Still Controls:
1. Policies, gateways, etc
2. Circulation and collection management
3. Cataloging and technical services
4. Reports
5. Scheduling application upgrades with SaaS Solutions
Personally, I think it is an option that we should take into consideration in the future. Of course we would have to look at it's disadvantages too. For example,
* This is over the internet so it may not be as safe or reliable.
* Only 10 Sirsi staffs are currently running about 400+ Saas customers worldwide. If something happens at once there is no way they can help to get back quickly.
* It is costly to do this option. Ask for a quote. You will find out. We did!
* We have limited access to the production server.
It is a software development where an application is hosted as a service and provided to customers across the internet.
Advantages to using SaaS:
1. replace end of life hardware
2. maintain expensive maintenance contracts
3. Staff 24x7 monitoring of system
4. Focus employees on staff and patrons
5. Experience reduced implementation time
Library Still Controls:
1. Policies, gateways, etc
2. Circulation and collection management
3. Cataloging and technical services
4. Reports
5. Scheduling application upgrades with SaaS Solutions
Personally, I think it is an option that we should take into consideration in the future. Of course we would have to look at it's disadvantages too. For example,
* This is over the internet so it may not be as safe or reliable.
* Only 10 Sirsi staffs are currently running about 400+ Saas customers worldwide. If something happens at once there is no way they can help to get back quickly.
* It is costly to do this option. Ask for a quote. You will find out. We did!
* We have limited access to the production server.
Cosugi 2011 Day 3:Session 1-Symphony Now and the Future:3.4, 3.4.1 and Beyond
Symphony 3.4 has been released and libraries already know what features were added already so I am going to jump to 3.4.1 and 3.5
3.4.1 Updates
1. Bug fixes and minor enhancements
2. Usability enhancements for Workflows staff client:Tabbed windows for wizards, expandable boxes,etc.
3. Performance Improvements for Collection Exchange
4. Support for local requirements: danMARC2, Chinese call numbers, multilingual MARC holding records,...
5. Updated language files for Spanish, French, Chinese, and Arabic
6. Other fixes submitted by Client Care
3.5 Updates
1.Updates for RDA
2. Symphony Anywhere: Bookmobile and small library support
3. Enhancements to StaffWeb client: Reserve room support, K12 updates
3.4.1 Updates
1. Bug fixes and minor enhancements
2. Usability enhancements for Workflows staff client:Tabbed windows for wizards, expandable boxes,etc.
3. Performance Improvements for Collection Exchange
4. Support for local requirements: danMARC2, Chinese call numbers, multilingual MARC holding records,...
5. Updated language files for Spanish, French, Chinese, and Arabic
6. Other fixes submitted by Client Care
3.5 Updates
1.Updates for RDA
2. Symphony Anywhere: Bookmobile and small library support
3. Enhancements to StaffWeb client: Reserve room support, K12 updates
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:After the Sessions-Sirsi Organized a Party
After many long sessions on Wednesday, we attended a party organized by Sirsi. It was a buffet style. The steak was good if you are willing to wait for one hour. The drink line was much shorter. Maybe that's their intent? Get people to drink so they would dance? Even Anne Arthur and Berit Nelson danced! Too bad I was too busy dancing with them otherwise I would have taken a picture to post here.
Cosugi 2011:Day 2- After the Sessions-Phoenix Public Library
After the session on Day 2, Steve and I walked to Phoenix Public Library. That was a very long walk for 1.5 miles. I wouldn't want to do that again in a 90 degree desert weather. We were so glad to get into an air conditioned library when we got there. I was shocked to see how big the library was. The picture is at the right. It has 5 stories and the space was huge inside. The building was built as if it were a company instead of the library. Of course I did ask a librarian about that. Her answer was that it was built as an industrial complex because it costs less than it were to build a library. Maybe the builder's expertise was more industrial?
Steve is admiring how big the library is!
These are express internet stations. How many do we have at RPL? One?
Phoenix's DVD Collections
Instead of Walking Back to the Hotel, We Took the Lightrail
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:Session 5-Web Services 3.0
I was hoping to pick up something from this session because I am using web services for our catalog. However, I was kind of disappointed that I didn't pick up much from this session. The session lasted only 30 minutes. The presentor mainly explain how he used web services 3.0 to do display information for for library. I already knew the features so I didn't pick up much. I think Sirsi's web services is such a new thing that most people do not have a chance to do anything yet. In fact, we didn't get the licence until April 20th which is while I attended this session.
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:Session 4-API Sharing Session
The audiences were the ones driving this session. Joel Hahn from Niles Public Library was there to answer any questions that we may have relating to the tradtional API programming.I didn't have any question so I sat there the whole time listening to other people's issues. Didn't pick up much neither as they were not related to our issues. :(
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:Session 3-Introducing:Sirsi Customer Support-It's All About You
The director of ClientCare had a presentation on the new Customer Support(formerly Client Care). Satisfaction has been reportedly up since this new model was rolled out in February. The model is: Once a case is done, an email is sent with a few options. 1. Close, 2. Talk to the person who provide the resolution, 3. Leave the case open, 4. Provide comment on the case.
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:Session 2-Mobilize! On the Go Options in Horizon and Symphony
According to Sirsi, BookMyne and PocketCirc are just the start of the mobile applications. This is an exciting news because according to a new study, by the end of 2011, half our the users will be using smartphones while the other half uses the traditional feature phones. However, there isn't much library related applications available. Which way is Sirsi moving in the mobile area?
1. BookMyne for androids will be released at the end of August 2011
2. Analytics will be on the new web services that they will be releasing soon. Programmer can use this function to extract data.
3.On June 30, an application will come out for facebook. The app resides on the library's Facebook page for patron to use. It is similar to that of the MyAccount feature except that it is on Facebook.
4. Sirsi is moving away from PocketCirc to Ipad and phone devices.
5. Sirsi is developing an application for smart phones so that patrons can just checkout books on their phones instead of using the checkout stations.
1. BookMyne for androids will be released at the end of August 2011
2. Analytics will be on the new web services that they will be releasing soon. Programmer can use this function to extract data.
3.On June 30, an application will come out for facebook. The app resides on the library's Facebook page for patron to use. It is similar to that of the MyAccount feature except that it is on Facebook.
4. Sirsi is moving away from PocketCirc to Ipad and phone devices.
5. Sirsi is developing an application for smart phones so that patrons can just checkout books on their phones instead of using the checkout stations.
Cosugi 2011 Day 2:Session 1-How Far Can You Go?Tools to Extend Your Symphony System
Margaret Pelfrey and Nathan Quinn mainly talked about 3 tools in traditional APIs and Sirsi's web services. This session is mainly for programmers who are looking to see if there is anything new that can help them with developments.
1. SERFTools
2. Apiserver: Batch receive items in transit between libraries, batch edit call numbers, pay bills in batch.
3. Dataloading Tools:Insert a MARC tag into selected bib records, extract user data, and globally remove a MARC tag from bib records
4. Web services: Nathan Quinn talked about the functionalities of web services and costs:
Webservices:
*A web Services class is offered every other month with no cost to their customers.I am excited about this a I have been downloading and learning on my own to write the MyAccount feature for our library. I will for sure want to take this class soon.
*Costs $600 for big libraries or consortium
*Costs $250 for medium libraris
*Costs $199 for small libraries
*No cost to customers who have API Subscription. Yay, RPL falls into this group
*WS 3.1 will be released on June 30th,2011 to include more features.
1. SERFTools
2. Apiserver: Batch receive items in transit between libraries, batch edit call numbers, pay bills in batch.
3. Dataloading Tools:Insert a MARC tag into selected bib records, extract user data, and globally remove a MARC tag from bib records
4. Web services: Nathan Quinn talked about the functionalities of web services and costs:
Webservices:
*A web Services class is offered every other month with no cost to their customers.I am excited about this a I have been downloading and learning on my own to write the MyAccount feature for our library. I will for sure want to take this class soon.
*Costs $600 for big libraries or consortium
*Costs $250 for medium libraris
*Costs $199 for small libraries
*No cost to customers who have API Subscription. Yay, RPL falls into this group
*WS 3.1 will be released on June 30th,2011 to include more features.
Cosugi 2011:Session 3-Integrating Personal Services and Social Media into E-library
Margaret Pelfrey from Sirsi had a nice presentation on using API to email patron's PINs directly from Elibrary, allow patrons to edit their email in real time through an Elibrary interface and how to add Social Media links in elibrary.
We do not use Elibrary but I attended this session anyway mainly because there wasn't any other interesting session for this time slot. LOL. In my opinion, this is too much work. With the emergent of Sirsi's web services things could be done quicker and more efficient.
We do not use Elibrary but I attended this session anyway mainly because there wasn't any other interesting session for this time slot. LOL. In my opinion, this is too much work. With the emergent of Sirsi's web services things could be done quicker and more efficient.
Cosugi 2011 Day 1: A Vendor's booth
There was an interesting booth from Unique Integrated Communncations. Our library could use their services to off-load commom account questions and issues. They can help relieve time-pressured staffs. Incoming calls are rounted from the library to UIC, and their Patron Services Specialists answer as an extension of the library. UIC maintains real-time integration with our ILS.
They can handle:
•Account Verification
•Item Renewals
•Hold Placement
•Hold Cancellation
•Fine Payment
•Debt Collection Issues
•Library hours/locations/directions
•Event / Class information & registration
•Conduit for common inventory issues
•Switchboard
The service is invoiced solely on usage and we can choose to turn on this feature when ever we want. I can see our library turn on this feature only when staffs have their hands full at the desk. The cost is $1.25 per minutes. According to the sale representative, the average call is around 2 minutes. UIC's website is www.uniqueic.com
They can handle:
•Account Verification
•Item Renewals
•Hold Placement
•Hold Cancellation
•Fine Payment
•Debt Collection Issues
•Library hours/locations/directions
•Event / Class information & registration
•Conduit for common inventory issues
•Switchboard
The service is invoiced solely on usage and we can choose to turn on this feature when ever we want. I can see our library turn on this feature only when staffs have their hands full at the desk. The cost is $1.25 per minutes. According to the sale representative, the average call is around 2 minutes. UIC's website is www.uniqueic.com
Cosugi 2011 Day 1: Session 2-Executive Forum: Top Technology Trends and SirsiDynix
The road map of SirsiDynix's products will be published on the portal at the end of May 2011 but here is an overview. I am sure I didn't get all of them but a presentation is not posted on the Cosugi 2011 archive.
*Sirsi is working on Web services 4.0 to add functionalities to the existing 3.0 version.
*Web services and BookMyne 2.1 for horizon is now available.
*A new Symphony will be rolled out in the third quarter.
*A new Enterprise version was released and they are working on the next version. It has a lot of features similar to that of the Endeca search engine.
*A BookMyne version for androids is coming out soon.
*Sirsi is developing an application native to that of facebook to allow patrons to place holds, review checkouts, pay fines, ect.. Similar to MyAccount application.
* Sirsi is working on enhancements for Bookmyne, Pocketcirc on tablets, SMS&PDA push notifications
*Sirsi is working on importing ebooks from different vendors into the ILS. This is going to be a nice thing to have as most libraries are struggle with the ebook issue.
*Sirsi is working on Web services 4.0 to add functionalities to the existing 3.0 version.
*Web services and BookMyne 2.1 for horizon is now available.
*A new Symphony will be rolled out in the third quarter.
*A new Enterprise version was released and they are working on the next version. It has a lot of features similar to that of the Endeca search engine.
*A BookMyne version for androids is coming out soon.
*Sirsi is developing an application native to that of facebook to allow patrons to place holds, review checkouts, pay fines, ect.. Similar to MyAccount application.
* Sirsi is working on enhancements for Bookmyne, Pocketcirc on tablets, SMS&PDA push notifications
*Sirsi is working on importing ebooks from different vendors into the ILS. This is going to be a nice thing to have as most libraries are struggle with the ebook issue.
Cosugi 2011 Day 1: Session 1-Making Our Catalogue Usable
University of Manitoba Libraries did an extensive testing with the help of an outside consultant on the usability of their website, including the catalogue. They had Web2 and Unicorn GL 3.1. There wasn't much to learn from this session that could be applied to Rochester Public Library except learning the process for future referencens. Basically their patrons didn't like their catalogue search so they hired a consultant to improve it.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
COSUGI Conference 2011
The conference was held at Phoenix this year. Steve Mosing, my colleague and I attended. A picture of us is above. It was one of the most exciting conference for me so far. The topics were much more relevant to our library and my position than anything I have ever attended. It was also fun to meet the Sirsi staffs. I see their names on listserves or during phone conferences but had not met any of them before this event so it was fun and exciting. Now I can kind of imagine how they look like while talking to them on the phone or seeing their names. LOL. The most important thing about this trip was that I learned a lot and some of the ideas will probably get implemented at Rochester Public Library if approved. The conference lasted 3 days and I had the privilege to attend all. My next posts will be about the sessions that I attended.
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