*UPDATED* The improved catalogue is live, almost as expected..
So, after quite a complex process we have most of the new features implemented on the improved catalogue.
There are a few outstanding items we are working quickly to resolve. One in particular that you will notice.
The Your Account link *STILL* goes to the home page. There is something getting in the way of making this work properly for you in our live system and we continue to work on this.
There are also two issues in Your Account that we are also focusing on. The account settings page is missing buttons and the feature that allows you to change between telephone and email notification is not working.
Other than these, the other new features are working. We appreciate your patience while we implement the improved catalogue.
Should you notice any issues other than those listed above, please let us know by contacting the Library’s Answerline service at (416-393-7131) or online through our customer feedback form.
*UPDATED DECEMBER 12*
Your Account now contains all submit/renew and cancel buttons.
We are also receiving feedback on two other items:
1) Can I remove items from the Cancelled Hold Section? Unfortunately you cannot, we wanted it to work this way but it was not technically possible. We are working on only displaying items you've missed in the last 4 weeks. Items older than that would drop off the list. The development of this is in process.
2) Why doesn't my name appear when I login anymore? The system was updated to improve the privacy of customers who use the catalogue from public computers (e.g. from our library branches or internet cafés). In place of your name you can now display a 'ScreenName' which you can set in your account settings page. For more information about this please see this FAQ.
11 thoughts on “*UPDATED* The improved catalogue is live, almost as expected..”
Hi TPL,
Glad to see you’re efforts to try and make the Sirsi OPAC more usable. I tried your ‘permalink’ and wonder what the extra searchfield is for? I think you can accomplish the same thing if you stop after the record number, i.e.
. Big fan and user of TPL!
Thanks.
You guys are awesome, great job!
Thanks for the comments, re: the ‘searchfield’, we’ll look into why that appears on permalink for items – thanks for pointing it out.
Cheers,
Dara
The new system is a big improvement and I can’tell you are working to resolve the remaining issues as well as you can. So thank you!
This post answered one of my questions (old canceled holds appearing on the summary page).
Here’s another — two books that I think I returned are listed on my checkouts. Last month, I reported them to the library and the staff’s view of my account lists them as “Reported returned” but the user web view lists them as “Overdue.” Can this be corrected? In the previous versions of the system, those books disappeared from the user view.
And one more suggestion — the checkouts and holds pages no longer show authors’ names. While more information means more visual clutter, I find it helpful to have both author and title visible.
Thanks for removing the name from the top right corner (which you explain in an FAQ). This is an excellent privacy enhancement. There was no reason for the name’s being there, but it would be good to see some indication of ‘logged in’ status.
There is nothing stopping people, I presume, from using their real name as a “screen name” if they miss it that badly.
Great improvements!
Glad to see that you are still dealing with this as ongoing.
I noticed that if you have a book out – which you can not renew due to having holds on it – you are not allowed to put a hold on it.
It would be much easier if you could just click on the title you must return and put yourself on the waiting list – instead of having to return it, then enter the system, re-search the title and then place hold.
Thanks
Hi,
on the Account Summary page, we need to see in the HOLD category, the items IN TRANSIT (On its way for pickup), so we know if we are at 50 holds or not!
Otherwise, it looks like we have room for a couple new holds, and we try to place them, and are denied. The old system showed you your TOTAL holds, transit, etc…
Also, when you have a Hold on an item, and you forget, and place another hold, it seems to place you at the end of the list again!! The old system did not do this, only the new system. It should just tell you, “user already has a hold on this item”, and not drop you back to the end of the list again! After all, if a hold takes 6 months, you can forget you placed it.
What happened to compatibility with libraryelf.com? It’s the perfect application for TPLl users. Please, please, please, make the changes to allow this site to continue to streamline my library use.
I use Library ELF. Library ELF is no longer able to retrieve my TPL account data.
Is this because of the new catalog? Are you aware of this problem? Can it be fixed?
Thanks,
Drew
Does anyone else have this problem? On the Search Results page, nothing happens when I click on any of the search results links. The mouse cursor turns into the pointing finger, indicating that there is a link to be taken, but clicking on it or any other link to any catalogue item does absolutely nothing. It basically makes the catalogue unusable. 🙁
I’m using Opera, but the same thing happens with IE. What could the problem be?
Hi there I’ll try and respond to you all at once.
Madeleine – regarding your first question, we’ll have to investigate the problem of items displaying as “Checked Out” through the catalogue and “Returned” through our staff system – thanks for mentioning it. As far as displaying the author name , good suggestion, I’ll check with the team to see what we can do there.
J. Money – that is correct, this is nothing stopping anyone from using their real name if they choose.
K. – that is correct, you cannot place a hold on a book you currently have out. Can I make a suggestion if it is a popular title? If it has holds on it I’m assuming it is! If it is convenient for you, try and get to one of our branches that has a Best Bets Collection. There is a pretty good chance you’ll find it on the shelf there – maybe call first before making the trip to find out if your title is included in the “Best Bets collection.
TPLUser – Neat suggestion about counting number in transit, I can see how that would help you….we’ll put it on our list for further investigation. Your issue regarding ‘re-holding’ – we’ll take a look into that one, sorry about that.
Scott, Drew and all other Library Elf users out there, we have been in contact with them, but I’m afraid, it is really out of our hands. The Library doesn’t support Library Elf. Hopefully, they can resolve the problem for you.
And lastly, Dave – Regarding Opera and the catalogue. I too use Opera and have yet to see that problem. Although, just before reading this I had the exact same problem on another website – so I certainly don’t doubt you..I’m using 9.2 for Mac, what version/OS are you using?
Thanks for the comments/questions everyone.