[SOLAR-L] Solar Update

[berek@tds.net]

Good afternoon,

  Some of you know that I'm still on contract with the Maine State Library.  Now that summer reading is almost over and I have the new circulation system in place at Hartland, I'm turning my attention to updating, reloading and loading records in Solar. There were a number of reasons why this got put on the back burner. We were waiting for a new and better protocol, I didn't have a software program that massaged incoming bib records adequately and we wewr waiting for Jon and Deb to get settled in.
  In any event, it looks, after a chat with Jon this morning, to make sense as having me be the main contact person for things Solar. I have access to Innovative so I can have them fix things I can't and I still remember how to do most of the routine stuff (and want to keep those skills)
  If you have Solar problems, feel free to email me at berek at tds.net or call 938-4702 Tues-Fri 10-5. (If something needs attention outside of those times, call 938-4855.

  Since MaineInfonet is now where everyone does their requesting and Solar functions as a feeder network for it, Jon and I have come up with a couple of new protocols we think make sense.  I'll be available on Mondays (and by phone) as well as by virtual lab (once we get that set up) to do training and will also have print handbooks with screen shots available as well.
  Here are the most pertinent changes.
1-since bad records just create more choices and confusion for requesting folks, we plan to nuke skimpy and partial records, starting in September.
2-Since cataloging in Solar and then importing into local circulation systems is both fast and relatively easy (not to mention providing extremely good bib records), we want to encourage ALL participants in Solar to get in the habit of adding items in Solar and then importing into their local system. Over time, this will not only minimize the amount of work in reloading, it will make local systems more useful to patrons. Several Solar libraries are already doing this.

  First off, I owe Fairfield and Winslow libraries an apology. I was in the process of setting them up when I left my job at MSL and they have been waiting for over a year to become players. I have a tentative schedule of projects listed below and will add additional ones as I am contacted and time permits.  It generally takes about 15-20 hours to convert and massage a batch of records once I receive them and the setup in Solar takes another couple hours.  However, I can doo everything at home which makes the proces easier.
1-Abbott Memorial Library, Dexter. Records loaded, massaging nearly completed. Next step get them live for lending and requesting as well as cataloging.
2-Reload Blue Hill Library
3-Reload Newport Public Library
4-Download, massage and set up Presque Isle after setting them up in Solar.
5-Reload Fairfield, massage and get them live.
6-Reload Winslow, massage and get them live
7-Get Greenville records, massage and load.

Regards,
John Clark

--
John R. Clark-storyteller and librarian.
"my inner reality makes Twin Peaks 
look like Mr. Rogers Neighborhood."