Staying on Strategy in Difficult Economic Times

While not "technically" not a live blog post since this session was Thursday morning, I thought Kitty's message was to good not to share. Thanks Kitty! Ann Hutton

A year ago, On a + Note, popped up in my email box. Now my path and Kitty Pope’s cross regularly at conferences and most often at SirsiDynix functions as the Alliance Library System is a Symphony site and ours is a Horizon installation. Both SELCO and the Alliance are library consortia serving a diverse multitype library membership. So I read with interest my colleague’s comments and have come to appreciate her email message each week. As part of the COSUGI Executive Track sponsored by SirsiDynix, Kitty shared her thoughts about Staying on Strategy in Difficult Economic Times, as well as the impetus for On a + Note.

She started writing a year ago while trying to stay focused and as a way to, in Kitty’s words, “push back the fear.” Her first message focused on sticking to the facts and stressed:

• Communicate with folks more than ever
• Use your team
• Be patient and flexible
• Use your passion to sustain the dream.

Her staff suggested putting the article on the Alliance Library System website (and they are posted there) but Kitty opted for older technology and pushed her positive message via email so that it was in people’s mailboxes.

Each article has a candid photo and bits of personal information so that you feel an armchair familiarity with Kitty even if you’ve never met her. During the time she has been doing this weekly article there have been reoccurring themes and she’s tracked those that resonate with her readers in these trying times.

• Customer service
• Defining leadership
• Sustaining the dream
• Personal stories
• Humor
• Talking about the passion.

On the topic of fear, she has lead by example, taken advantage of distance learning, as well as assumed clerical tasks previously done by her administrative assistant prior to staffing reductions. Her advice for how to control fear includes:

• Surround your self with the + (positive energy)
• Rely on your team
• Be kind to yourself
• Build in laughter.

Kitty evaluates everything and strives to appreciate the new ways of doing things. Everything is linked to the mission. She recommends identifying 3-4 similar but stellar organizations and using them as organizational benchmarks. Keep track of what they are doing, what’s new, what’s being discontinued and how do your stats compare. When changes need to be made, accept the fact and proceed with grace while being honest with yourself and those involved. On a + Note, budget reductions are an opportunity to keep the best staff, right size a department, restructure or consolidate. Kitty defined three types of cuts:

• A strategic cuts
• A political statement
• The least visible cut.

With a passion for libraries and the work of regional library systems, she has a vision for the next three years, however hard they may be.

• Survive … for the next 6 months
• Strive … move forward for the next 12 -14 months
• Thrive … the ideal virture in 2-3 years.

And I am sure the Alliance Library System and central Illinois libraries will do just that with her leadership and On a + Note.

Cross posted to SELCO Librarian.

Advanced Training Technologies

In Tomorrow’s Training Technologies Today, Judith Tigner, SirsiDynix Implementations Director, gave the COSUGI Executive Track a preview of their new Learning Management System (LMS). This is the marriage of the best of onsite training and distance learning. From years of experience, onsite provides the trainer with context and a real connection to the site and the particulars of a specific installation but offers too much content in too short a period of time. The result - you simply cannot reach everyone. Distance learning allows students to take classes as many times as needed working around schedules and with less expense but without the personal touch.

SirsiDynix will continue to offer direct, onsite training and will expand their instruction packet for Symphony (and eventually to Horizon) customers to include a hands-on lab, self paced sessions with practice time and study halls all under the LMS umbrella.

The Hands-On Lab enables the participant hands-on use of the software while the instructor observes each student’s screen as a window on a large monitor. There is no web-cam interface for facial expressions, but the instructor can see who is doing what and who might be encountering difficulties.

Self-paced training is created using Captivate and allows for interactive online training, as well as assessment and even a final score or grade for the session. Currently there are 86 self-paced sessions in the SirsiDynix training library available 24/7.

Symphony customers can also signup for a Practice Session using their own ILS with a SirsiDynix instructor knowledgeable about a topic and letting participants “play” in their own environment with offsite support. The Study Hall approach lets a customer “rent” time on a test server for independent study but with technical support on stand by to assist with any questions or difficulties.

Pricing for any of these services varies depending on what is needed and ranges from one-off class prices to a subscription that allows for a smorgasbord selection based on a library’s or consortium’s training needs.

The SirsiDynix LMS will serve as the training hub offering a variety of training modes and is in beta testing at this time. LMS is self-paced and lets students stop and re-join where they left off. Students will be able to print certificate and even get a transcript. The Manager Console enables supervisors to work with staff to set training goals and monitor individual progress, even link dates and goals.

Cross posted to SELCO Librarian

Off to work we go...

Once again there is energy in the air for Horizon customers at COSUGI. (Think 7 Dwarfs – off to work we go, hi-ho, hi-ho…) Unlike the past few years when the mix of Horizon and COSUGI felt more like the being the step sister relegated to sweeping the hearth without any hope of attending the ball, I am feeling the workhorse that is Horizon is more appreciated. (Yes, I know I am mixing fairy tales – but I’m at Walt Disney World and the cartoon characters are all around.) While Symphony continues to be their primary software platform, SirsiDynix is responding with Horizon developments for a group that constitutes a significant client (and financial) base. A quick glance at COSUGI’s program offers a practical reflection with 65 of the 117 breakout sessions offering content for Horizon clients. When I head home tomorrow, I do so with a slightly lighter step. Hi-ho, hi-ho…

Cross posted to SELCO Librararian

What you don't know about your library operations, but could learn with Director's State and Web Reporter

Nathan Guinn, SD

How do we find out what our patrons are really doing? How do we justify the funding we are requesting? Using data from system can justify needs and personnel. Future plans. Library intelligence - who, how, when, why, where & what?

SD provides 3 sourses for reports to generate reports to provide this information
* Reports built into ILS
* Director's Station
* Web Reporter

Director's Station -- works with Unicorn and Symphony. Ease drag and drop, point and click

Web Reporter - web and desktop client narrowcast

why chose one over another - Director's station - results quick, full function with no client installation

why choose Web reporter - schedule to run, formatting flexibility, use prompts for data and filters.

Success is the smiles of those we serve

Need to increase success to dollar ration

Use reports to show value, need, success

Guinn showed screen shots of reporting tools with features of both tools.

Web Reporter can be used to simplify, personalize, calculations, etc.

Guinn asked for input on what people need for the next version


QUESTIONS:
Are the products are more silod, how can we cross domain - between modules like Circulation and Acquisitions? That has been heard this week. They are early enough in the design to that this to development. Maybe not the first release but next cycle

Looking to bring Web Reporter and Director's Station into one product.

Is there ability in the current software to combine modules? Not currently

Director's Station available for Horizon? No, reason for 5.0

Is there a preferred brower? posted on Client Care. IE 8 not supported; Firefox 3.0 dramatically better for one version that I missed. Firefox 3.5 has trouble with scroll bars so recomend Firefox 3.0

Can SD host the browsers for download? SD will put a link on their site so users don't have to go search for versions. Audience LOVED that idea.

With the next upgrade to Director's Station could templates be retained? Wouldn't that be nice. Sounds like that is recognized as an issue and they'll look into it to me. Continue to provide this as input. Perceived as a "migration" from one platform to another. Goal is not to make it painful for you.

Is Version 5.0 the same products? Looking to merge two products and create one that has the best of both and work on Horizon and Symphony.

Holds wrappers, e-Library, reports, and inventory demystified

Some highlights from the presentations:

• Holds pick list made up of routing slips: Jennifer Falkowski and David Paul showed how their Maryland library system streamlined handling of holds with software that prints holds wrappers on sticky-notes labels. Staff use the pages of labels to find onshelf holds, then apply the info-rich labels on items as they are found. Leftover labels have barcodes that can be scanned to mark those items as missing. Once the label is on the item, there's no need for printing transit slips or a holds slip. Result: They cut from printing for holds three times -- pick list, transit slips, holds slip -- to only once, and they cut the process from 12 steps to eight. Check out the presentation slides if you missed the session (Title: Improve Materials Handling Efficiencies By Producing Custom “Pull On-Shelf Hold”). Info is also available from exhibitors J. Huber and Associates and Rasmussen Software.
• e-Library and CSS: The pre-conference on customizing e-Library and a presentation by Jeremy Newville of SirsiDynix provided a much-needed bump in my understanding of these topics. One common mantra: Only do customizations in custom files, so you don't lose your work at the next upgrade. I've only used Firebug but I might give IE Web Developer Tools a try after seeing Jeremy demo it. It seems to be easier to use for someone who's at beginner or intermediate level.
• Standard Reports in SirsiDynix Symphony: This presentation proved that introductory-level session can be valuable to an old pro. Next week, I happen to be scheduled to train a new Tech Services specialist on running weeding lists, and I'll be able to borrow from Lisa Witteman's slides. When you've been immersed in reports for a few years, it can be hard to remember how to dial it back to the basics when training someone new. Thanks, Lisa.
• Inventory: It's complicated. But Matthew Phillips made it look a little easier. He provided an excellent outline of all the steps used in running Symphony reports for inventory, both online and offline. His PowerPoint slides might be a good Cliffs Notes for inventory even if you missed the presentation. One good question involved how to handle floating collections. There didn't seem to be an easy answer. There might be a couple of ways to go. Our library plans an inventory soon, and if we figure out an innovative method for floating collections, who knows... I might just be presenting next year.

Tomorrow's Training Technologies Today : Advances in SirsiDynix Training Programs

Judith Tigner, SirsiDynix

Tigner went over training programs of the past. On-site to Distance Training

New training styles
*on-site training
*instructor-led distance
*hands-on lab -- Instructor is sitting at a large monitor with each "students" screen on their monitor
*self-paced training - 24/7, 86 session and growing, interactive prerequiste for program there is a "essential skills" class open to anyone Symphony and Horizon
*Practice sessions - hands-on lab technology, with instructor knowledgeable about topic to ask questions as you "play" , assigned subjects Symphony only
*Study Hall -- like renting a test server for a few hours, training there is have technical issues. for you to play without messing up your databawse

Question - where available? sirsidynix.webex.com
cost? vary in price based on length. Self paces learning subscription option

Future plans:
Learning management system. Tigner showed screen shots. May/June timeframe. 'Anyone buying training from us with have access to this" Currently Symphony but will add Horizon soon. 9 customers beta testing. 2 customers in implementation using this.

SD would set up logins for all library staff that will be using training. Personalized for each person.

Question:
Under a consortium, can I deposit $10,000 and say whoever needs it takes training? Yes, it would be a decreasing balance.
Can we create our own accounts for our library? That is being looked at as an option

If you start and class but have to leave, the system will remember where you were.

Certificates of completion printable when complete

Transcript to show all classes taken, printable

Manager mode: This person, in your library, can see who has taken what. Can drill down to individual progress in each course and dump into Excel spreadsheet.

Question:
For a consortium, can it be sorted library by library? That is being tested at this time.


Courses presented in your time zone, reminders, etc.

You can your own development plans such as for new student assistant - not everything has be SD training. This is a way to keep track of these things. Including due dates on the training.
Looking into being able to upload library's own videos etc - building the library's own curriculm

Future -
training with variety of elements and ease of tracking

Provides need for continuing education for new hires, new releases, etc.

Questions:
Talk about online documentation and online help? In Symphony there are FAQs. Even if don't attend classes you have access to training guides. SD has put effort to make online help more helpful. Release notes for new releases

Training help for previous versions? Do have some self paced trainings for older releases? Some customers stay a couple of releases behind but have new staff or don't remember things.
Response: better to have trainer, training is fairly new so not always available. Real discussion in the room - people want the training from the older version. Documentation is also removed. Tigner will take this back to SD.

Is all training Java training or C-client? not building self paced training for c-client.

To use your own library's policies and data, on site trainning or using your training db

Is there an ability to "test drive" before purchasing? Essential skills is available to everyone.

Does this website list all 86 courses? This is being developed now

Modules? Circulation, cataloging, system administration. Serials under development. Acquisition is hard since everyone does this differently.

What does Essential Skills cover? It's how to use the navigating the system, not a "pretest"

To got the Essential skills class - just go onton Webex site

Timeframe for LMS for loading library specific items: Still a yes or no, is yes then end of year.

If purchase training now, will it convert to the LMS? Still working on that, don't know at this moment

COSUGI business session 3/4

Chair Chris Hauser thanked SirsiDynix for AWESOME reception last night.

New website - COSUGI.org

New listserv - COSUGI-L not a technical or answer site, for COSUGI members to discuss COSUGI issues, cross platforms.

Board terms end June 30th. Global password change will occur at that time for members in good standing.

Registration 650-660 about half of expected attendees. Will not meet contractual agreements with hotel in room, etc. Will be a loss but will not affect operating costs.

90-100 for preconference events

Breakdown of attendees by ILS given Symphony had the majority. Library type: public libraries are the most. First time attendees, over 100. 71 from SirsiDynix.

Post conference survey will be emailed on Monday

Treasurer's report given

Election results:
Chair elect - Brian Sherman
Secreeaty Sean Farrell
Conference chair election : Laurie England
Membership & Communications chair: Ester Blood
SIG/RUG coordinator: Andy Gallotte


SIG/RUG coordinator reported

No new business

RAFFLE time!

SOPAC : How & Why it was selected and got connected with Symphony - Thursday 3/4

Laurie Lessner, SAILS, Inc., Sean Robinson, Allen County Public Library

Lessner have history of how SOPAC came about. They did a needs assessment with over 5600 responses. What was wanted most was facets, 90% had high speed internet, and the public was knowledgable.

They tested Primo, Zoom, Enterprise, Aquabrowser, Endeca, WorldCatLocal, Vectors. This was a couple of years ago and Lessner mentioned that the field has changed some since this occured.

Evaluation requirements were shown, they did not believe they could not take away any current services and wanted to add others.

Evaluted specific vendors in RFI survey. Invitations sent to 6 companies. Three vendors were invited in to demo. Survey Monkey was used for staff input. Focus groups was used with patrons. Found that despite 6 sessions at libraries throughout their network and a community college, their needs were similar. Simple entry box.

SOPAC was selected. Open source product was also good for the public funded institutions since this was grant funded. CraftySpace was hired as a part of the grant. CraftySpace is a Drupal site which SOPAC is written on.

Issues - patron authentication - 2 logins DRUPAL account (SOPAC) and ILS (Symphony)


SOPAC - Social OPAC
Robinson covered this history of SOPAC and how he developed the connector to Symphony
John Blyberg developer was present.

Used XMPAPI to get data.

Used DRUPAL for flexibility in future


3 connector pieces needed
Sirsi_patronapi.php -- gets patron information
Sirsitools_3125.php -- renew, cancel hold, place hold
Locum_sirsi_3125.php -- bibliographic info (cat key not item key), item status

Robinson showed screen shots of the Allen County Public Library

Robinson's blog www.tscrobinson.com with information/code there.

Audience comments:
Is this live yet? no alpha at this time.
is API training from SirsiDynix needed? yes
What version of Drupal is SOPAC on? 7 developed at 5 and beyond

Reducing Headaches and Saving Money in the Public Comptuing Lab

Sean Ferrell, Library to Hattiesburg Petal and Forrest County

Ferrell spoke about using SteadyState to help clean "junk", mulitple icons, porn, etc off the desktop. SteadyState is supported for XP and Vista.

SteadyState has a forum where users post issues and solutions. Microsoft also reads this forum and responds.

Ferrell went over preparing a machine to install SteadyState and then how to set user setting for daily use. He did step by step instructions for those who need to start from the beginning.

SteadyState does not work with Windows7 and Microsoft has no plans to come up with compatible version.

SteadyState forum:
http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowssteadystate/threads

Audience comments:
using Deep Freeze for years
not using a virus protection could open machines up to problems

Training and Consulting

It's old home week at the SirsiDynix Education Services and Consulting booth in the Exhibit Hall! Kim Granquist Battles, Ken Bonney, Matthew Phillips, Jeremy Newville, and I have been catching up with our customers, folks we have visited at their library or worked with via distance. We have also been talking with customers who have new staff that need training or want to know more about API. We love to hear how customers are staying current and educating their staff.

Today I will be presenting Tomorrow's Training Technologies Today at 8:30am in Coronado J. A lot of the time will be spent discussing the new Learning Management System (LMS) which will change the way we deliver training. I hope to see you there. If you cannot make the session but want to know more, come by our booth. As we roll out this new system having customer feedback is the key!