Text Message Notifications Have Arrived

sms icon

The Upper Hudson Library System has rolled out another new catalog feature.  Patrons can now opt in to receive SMS (text message) notifications for hold pickups, overdue reminders, and courtesy notices.  SMS notifications will not replace your current notification method (email, phone, mail), but will be an additional service.  If your cell phone carrier charges you for text messaging, standard rates will apply.

How to opt in:

  1. Go to the UHLS library catalog and sign in with your card number and PIN.  Alternatively, use the “My Account” button on the EG Library website.
  2. Click on “Edit account.”
  3. Go to the mobile settings section.  Enter your phone number.  Read the terms and conditions and check the “Opt In” box.
  4. Press “Submit.”
  5. Check your phone for text messages.  You will receive a message to confirm your subscription.  You must reply by typing “Yes” to complete the signup process.
  6. You will receive a message confirming your subscription.

To cancel:

  • Option 1:  Reply STOP, STOP ALL, END, QUIT, CANCEL, or UNSUBSCRIBE to any library SMS notification to stop receiving texts.
  • Option 2:  Ask a staff member to help you unsubscribe.

Will you be using this new service?  Let us know in the comments!

OverDrive Clears Up Dual Bookshelf Confusion

There has been a change in terminology in the user account section of the Upper Hudson Library System’s Digital Collection. What was formerly called Bookshelf has been changed to Checkouts. This is the section of your account where you can view all of the digital items you have currently checked out.

checkouts

If you are accessing your downloaded materials through the Overdrive app, they will be listed under the Bookshelf heading. Please note that books downloaded for use on a Kindle or in the Kindle app will not be listed on the Overdrive Bookshelf.

overdrive

Back By Popular Demand: New Items Lists!

newitemsWhen we moved to our new library software earlier this year, we lost the ability to provide real-time lists of new items ordered by the libraries. If you have been missing this feature, we have great news – it has been restored! Check all libraries here: http://reports.uhls.org/newitems/. See only our library here: http://reports.uhls.org/newitems/EGRN/index.html.

How Does It Work?

The first link will take you to a listing of all Upper Hudson Library System libraries.  Select a library, and you will be presented with a list of item types.  Only item types with newly items will be displayed, so some categories you might expect may not be present.  Click on an item type to see a list of titles that are linked to the catalog for easy requesting.  Check back often, as we are adding new items all the time and the lists are updated overnight.

Each library has a different time frame for “new”, which will be stated at the top of the title list.  The East Greenbush Community Library has chosen 14 days, while some other libraries chose 30 or 90 days.  Keep in mind that donated items, items ordered as replacements, and duplicate copies show up on these lists, as well.  That would account for “new” items with older publication dates.  The category that will most likely show newly released items is the “On Order” category.  While this group is not limited on a single item type or genre, it is often populated by items ordered ahead of publication date.  As soon as the record is created in the catalog, patrons can place requests.

Questions?  Please ask in the comments below or call the library for more information.

New Tech in the Library

Thanks to a generous grant from the Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library, we have been able to replace some of the outdated technology in the library.

Monitors

If you have used any of our public computers in the last several years, you know that the square, analog monitors were not keeping pace with the way modern video and web content is displayed.  Some patrons also complained that the refresh rate was causing visible flickering on the screen.  We were able to replace all of the monitors at the public computers with digital, widescreen LED monitors.  In addition to improved display, these models are much more energy efficient than their predecessors.  This should save the library money in the long run.

Tech Cart in Meeting Rooms A and B

If you have recently attended a program in meeting rooms A and/or B that required A/V equipment, you may have noticed that the tech cart boasted an ancient LCD projector (for which they no longer make replacement bulbs) and a DVD/VCR combo.  The Friends helped us to purchase a new, more energy efficient DLP projector which projects a very clear image that can be seen on the wall at any lighting level.  We took this opportunity to replace the DVD/VCR with a Blu-ray player, which still supports DVDs.  Because the projector supports HDMI inputs, watching a Blu-ray using the projector is a much higher quality visual experience than watching a VHS tape with the old projector.  This should make the next movie festival much more enjoyable!

We hope you enjoy these improvements to the library.  What would you like to see next?  Let us know in the comments.

Library Software Upgrade Report

encoreWelcome to my long overdue update on the software situation in the library.  Since our library system (UHLS) moved to a new library management software at the end of March, the system’s techies have been working hard to get the kinks out of the new system.  Believe it or not, there are still several modules and functions that are still being configured.  The purpose of this post is to let you know which issues are still outstanding and where to get help if you need it.

1.  Notifications

Some people are still experiencing minor issues receiving their notifications.  Most commonly, emails are not received.  Make sure to check your spam folder.  Even if you have already “rescued” a library email from your spam folder and marked the sender safe, emails can come from different library email addresses.  You may need to add several addresses to your email whitelist before the emails will stop going to junk mail.  If you are not receiving notifications and you have already checked your spam folder, please contact the library and let us know.

Some patrons have pointed out that phone notifications do not mention the library where their items are being held.  This can be an issue for power users who pick up items at multiple locations.  At this time, there is no fix for this issue.  We suggest that patrons who are unsure where their items are being held login to the online catalog and click their name in the upper right corner of the screen.  On the left menu of the next screen, select “holds.”  Any items showing “ready for pickup” under status will also list a pickup location.

2. Prompts to request specific items

In some cases, when requesting an item, a patron is prompted to request a specific copy of an item, even though all of the copies are the same.  This is a cataloging issue that all of the libraries are working to fix.  Reports of this issue are few and far between, but it still happens.

3. Blocked from placing a hold

On our previous system, patrons with outstanding charges on their library cards could place holds on items and would be prompted to pay down their fees when checking out an item.  The new system no longer allows holds for any card not in good standing.  Unfortunately, we cannot control this.  If you are blocked from placing a hold, call the Reference Desk (477-7476, option 4) and we can override this restriction and place the hold for you.

4.  Checking out an OverDrive item through the library catalog

Previously, we had two separate catalogs for our physical items (books, CDs, DVDs, etc.) and digital items (OverDrive).  While the two separate catalogs still exist, our new library catalog contains our digital items as well as physical.  You can even check out and download most digital titles without leaving the catalog!  To test this, search the catalog for a title.  In the left menu, look under “format.”  If the item is available as a downloadable audiobook or e-book, there will be options for “downloadable e-book” or “downloadable audiobook.”  You may need to click “more” to see all available formats.  format

If you are looking for a magazine or streaming video, the format categories are less helpful.  Downloadable magazines show up as “downloadable e-books” and streaming videos show up as “DVDs.”  Check the individual record for more clarification:

If you click on “Check out with OverDrive”, you will be prompted to sign in if you haven’t already.  Then a window will pop up confirming checkout:

After you select “check out”, you can immediately download the title by selecting “Get eBook” if you are using the device you would like to read/watch on.

Otherwise, you can download it later by logging into your account in the OverDrive catalog.  Occasionally, an error message will display, and you will need to go to the OverDrive catalog and sign in to download, anyway.  We’re working on that, too.

error5.  New item notification

We had more direct control over our last system, which allowed UHLS to create add-ons that would use the power of our library catalog to provide extra features for patrons.  One of these add-ons was the ability to subscribe to a “New Items” feed.  This feed would notify subscribers when a new item was added to the catalog.  The popularity of this feature was made clear to us by patrons who were very frustrated when it disappeared.  UHLS knows how much patrons want this feature, and they are working to bring it back.  Because there are still some higher priority bugs to work out with the everyday functioning of the catalog, this feature may need to be on the back burner for a while.  However, it is definitely on the to-do list.

6.  Getting help

We have created several types of training resources to help you navigate our new catalog. Our Online Catalog Help page includes short videos and text instructions for common tasks, as well as a print-friendly (PDF) guide to using your library account online.  Of course, if you’d rather get assistance from a live person, our reference librarians are always happy to help.  Give us a call (518-477-7476, option 4) or stop by at your convenience.

Again, we’d like to thank all of our patrons for their patience and understanding during this time of transition.  What are your thoughts on the new catalog?  Have you discovered a bug not discussed here?  Let us know in the comments.