Hello HPL!
In
July, Houston Public Library
will unveil a completely new integrated library system (ILS) that will run our
catalog and customer accounts. The new system, SirsiDynix’s Symphony, will result in improved service
delivery and more efficient processes. Every
effort is being made to keep you informed of changes and timelines to make the
transition process to the new ILS as painless as possible -for both you and our
customers.
Over
the next few weeks we are going to implement a phased roll out that will have
several milestones.
·
On Wednesday, July 3rd, our
current ILS, Millennium, will be taken offline.
·
On Thursday, July 11th the new
ILS, SirsiDynix’s Symphony, will go live.
·
The week between
these two dates (Thursday, July 3, 2013 thru Wednesday, July 10, 2013) will
have the most impact on HPL customers and staff. During this time:
Ø Most
customer interactions will be handled manually, offline.
Ø Check-outs,
check-ins, and new registrations will be handled through the SirsiDynix
Symphony offline circulation system.
Ø We
will not take new hold requests or fill existing hold requests during this
period.
Ø Inter
Library Loans will be handled manually.
Ø Self-check
machines will be unavailable.
Ø We
will not be able to collect fines.
Additionally, there are two significant changes that will result
from this transition:
1.
All
customers will be required to have Personal Identification Numbers (PIN) to
access their accounts online. This is one of the most important features to
impact customers and provides them with an additional level of security for
their accounts.
Ø
Current
cardholders will be assigned a four-digit PIN based on the last four numbers of
the phone number associated with their accounts.
Ø
New
cardholders will have five-digit PINs automatically assigned to them by the
system at the time their account is created.
2.
Beginning July 3, 2013, our circulation period will change from 2
week check-outs (with two possible two-week renewals) to 3 week check-outs
(with one three-week renewal). This will give our customers
more time to get through their particular item(s) and reduce the number of
times they need to worry about renewal.
NOTE: DVD’s will
circulate for one three-week period, with no renewals.
Syma Zerkow,
Chief of Library Materials Services, will continue to provide you with regular
email updates about the overall ILS transition and on-going staff
trainings. Additionally, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
document will be placed on HPL’s Intranet
full of useful information for staff. This document will include a list of the
features we are keeping, those we are adding, as well as a list of the features
that will not transition to the new system. More information will be shared
with you on an ongoing basis as it becomes available.
We
will begin providing information to our customers this week. This will include
the dates of the roll out and the expected impact to them, our services, and
their accounts.
Switching to
a new ILS is a monumental undertaking,
requiring months of planning and the time and attention of many of our
co-workers. We know that no matter how much we have planned, or how much
care we have taken with each of step of the transition, there will be some
challenges for our customers and staff. Please let us know how things are
going, and when you have questions or suggestions – contact Syma – syma.zerkow@houstontx.gov
Thank you in
advance for your commitment and patience as we work our way through these
milestones. Most importantly, I ask that you take time to familiarize
yourself with the FAQ’s and other information provided so that you can become
informed. Being informed will make the transition easier and will equip you to
help guide our customers through this change. It’s going to take all of us
working together to make this transition possible. Thanks again!
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