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Subscribe to PrairieCat Email ListsNEWS: Call Number Standardization project - new approved prefixes and MARC tag procedures
PrairieCat has begun a big project aimed at improving call number searching and statistical reports. A memo with more details on this project has been shared at the PrairieCat Member Updates, in this month's PING newsletter and distributed via email.
There are two important things that ALL members can do going forward to make this project a success:
1. Use the correct MARC tag in the call number field in your item records as you add new items. Item record templates have been adjusted to remind staff to change the MARC tag as appropriate, and the memo has more details on the correct values to use. PrairieCat staff will be correcting the MARC tag in the existing 4 million items over the next few months.
2. Use approved call number prefix values when adding new items to the database. Three spreadsheets are available of the approved prefix values, one arranged by statistical table, one arranged by material format, and a list for members who use BISAC classification. All three lists are attached. If you need assistance making blanket changes to your existing call numbers in items, such as capitalization or spacing changes, please open a Help Desk ticket.
Please ask if you have any questions.
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Congratulations to Johnsburg PL on Going Live on PrairieCat!
Congratulations to the Johnsburg Public Library District (JOLY-11) who has "gone live" in Sierra!
Johnsburg PLD is latest Union Listing member that has completed the process of upgrading their membership fully participating.
Congratulations to the community of Johnsburg and best of luck to Library Director Beth Ryan and the library staff!!
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TRAINING: Tip of the Month, Nov 2017 - Changes to Uniform Circulation Rules
At their November 3, 2017 meeting, the PrairieCat Administrative Council approved some changes to PrairieCat's Uniform Circulation Rules. This month's Tip of the Month provides some further explanation about these changes which are highlighted in red on the Uniform Circulation Rules document. PrairieCat staff will be changing all current loan rules with a 7, 14 or 21 day circulation period and two renewals, to allow three renewals per the new policy. These changes will be made over the New Year's weekend and will only effect items that check out after that. If you would like any of your other circulation rules to be adjusted based on the new policies, please open a Help Desk ticket. Contact Gail Lien, John Slanicky or Judy Hutchinson if you have questions about these new policies.
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NEWS: PrairieCat Member Update Report
Action: Informational
Did you miss out on the PrairieCat Member Updates? Or do you want more details about one of the topics covered? See the Member Update Report, which includes links to important handouts such as the new call number statistical tables, damaged materials procedures, and revised uniform circulation rules.
Thank you to the members who were able to attend! We had more than 110 participants and more than 55 libraries represented.
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TRAINING: PrairieCat 101 PowerPoint
Do you have new staff at your library? Or want a refresher on PrairieCat services and structure? Check out the PrairieCat 101 PowerPoint on the About section on the website. This PowerPoint is a great training tool for orienting new staff or board members at your library.
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NEWS: PrairieCat Member Updates
ACTION: Informational
PrairieCat Member Updates
Register now for fall PrairieCat Member Updates! Join PrairieCat staff and your neighboring PrairieCat libraries to hear the latest from PrairieCat. Member Updates will cover a range of topics of interest to staff in circulation, technical services, public services, and other areas. All sizes, types, and levels of PrairieCat member libraries are encouraged to attend. The fall Member Update topics include pink condition slips, new call number statistical tables, PrairieCat staffing independence, and more!
All staff are welcome! Register in L2 for one of the sessions.
- Mon, November 6, 2017, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., RAILS Coal Valley Service Center
- Tues, November 7, 2017, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., DeKalb Public Library
- Tues, November 7, 2017, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., LaSalle Public Library
- Wed, November 8, 2017, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Morris Area Public Library
- Wed, November 8, 2017, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Peotone Public Library
- Thurs, November 9, 2017, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Galena City Hall
- Thurs, November 9, 2017, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Freeport Public Library
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NEWS: Item record templates settings
ACTION: Informational
Due to the number of inquiries as the result of yesterday's changes made to the members’ item entry templates, I thought it would be helpful to send out the Sierra Settings for Item Entry document. This document is available on the PrairieCat support site under Resources>Documentation>Training Documents. I have made available as an attachment as well.
As always, please contact PrairieCat staff if you have any questions or concerns!
Sandy Tedder
PrairieCat Cataloging and Database Coordinator
Reaching Across Illinois Library System
Bolingbrook Office
Phone: 779.205.4198
Fax: 815.886.5651
sandy [dot] tedder [at] railslibraries [dot] info
https://www.railslibraries.info
PrairieCat
https://support.prairiecat.info
helpmenow [at] prairiecat [dot] info
Toll Free: 877.542.7257
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