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Automation Migration: Sandbox Information From Review Process

Automation Review 24-25

Alexandria Sandbox Information

The SLS worked hard and made great progress with our in-house review of library automation systems. We have evaluated demo videos showcasing their products.

Sandbox Access

Alexandria Sandbox access

I’m including a link to the sandbox account, as well as admin login credentials, and a librarian account at each of the three sites. With the admin login, you can choose any of the sites. With the librarian logins they will need to select the appropriate site, then login (for example to use the elementary librarian login choose the site “Evelyn Elementary,” then log in.

 

Central Union Catalog URL: https://crbocescu.goalexandria.com/ 

Admin Login - any site

User Name: demo

Password: demo 

Elementary Librarian - Evelyn Elementary 

User Name: eslibrarian

Password: librarian 

Middle School Librarian - Mia Middle School 

User Name: mslibrarian

Password: librarian 

High School Librarian - Alexandria Academy

User Name: hslibrarian

Password: librarian 

 

Direct Link to Librarian Side of Alexandria

https://crbocescu.goalexandria.com/dashboard 

What we requested

What to include:

  1. Overview of the system as librarians would be using it day-to-day

    1. Checkin/Checkout

    2. Reports (Overdue, stats,basic reporting-)

    3. Adding Records (knowing that they can only add what is already available; SLS adds new titles that are not already available)

    4. Authentication - Which SMSs can be used? Student data privacy?

    5. Rostering of students and staff

    6. Inventory

    7. Self Service features (Reserves, holds, checkout)

    8. Offline circulation

    9. Anonymization features- circ histories

  2. Student Use

    1. Starting page - user friendliness, customization, etc.

    2. Search Experience

    3. Self Service features (Reserves, holds, checkout)

  3. Union Catalog

    1. How does the union catalog work, especially if not all schools are on the same system

    2. ILL process

  4. Future Product Enhancements

  5. Other important information you want us to know about your product (do not include pricing information at this time)

Get to know the Vendors

Alexandria is a widely-used, browser-based, cross-platform library automation software that serves thousands of libraries worldwide, including public and school libraries. They have developed software specifically designed to assist libraries in promoting the joy of learning and reading.

Supporting Documentation:

Can you place a hold on multiple copies in one transaction?

  • Yes, with Alexandria the union catalog is the central catalog, and librarians can easily switch between sites. If a patron just wants a single copy of a title, and isn’t picky about when they get it they can use the hold function (shown in the “Holds” video.) If a patron wishes to place multiple items on reserve in a single transaction, including multiple copies of the same book, they can do so using the reserve function (shown in “Reserves” video). The reserve function allows patrons to select multiple copies, then specify how long they want them and when they would like their checkout period to begin. The librarian can set up a patron policy for teachers that allows them to place more books on holds than students for example. 
  • There are a number of reports librarians can use to manage holds and reserves. For example the librarian would run the "Reserved Items List" to generate a list of items placed on reserve by patrons, and the status of those items. For holds librarians could run the “In Stock Holds” report to generate a list of holds ready for patron pickup. Like most of Alexandria’s reports, these reports can be saved, then scheduled to run as often as the librarian desires. They can even have the results emailed to them. 
Monarch

Monarch is a unique, K-12 content discovery engine that creates secure and personalized digital search environments for your students & teachers, igniting lifelong learning for generations to come. Monarch® is a single Search Engine for ALL your Discovery Services and Digital Libraries that returns your search results in an single interface, categorized and summarized in a very intuitive experiences for you and your students!

 

Submission Information

Submission Documentation

Demo Video Link Pt 1. 

Demo Video Link Pt 2.

OPAC Catalog types- fact sheet

BULLETIN BOARDS -Fact Sheet

IMPLEMENTATION & SUPPORT- Fact Sheet