Z39.50 Server Support is Now Available

Z39.50 is an international (ISO 23950) standard for computer-to-computer information retrieval. This makes it possible for a user in one system to search and retrieve information from other computer systems without knowing the search syntax used by those other systems. This is often done by a dedicated Z39.50 client program, a union catalog searching program, or even a cataloging program.
You can now allow Z39.50 clients to search your library by turning on the Z39.50 option. To do so:

1. Open your library.
2. Select the Settings link in the navigation bar.
3. Select General.
4. Click on an change the 'Allow Z39.50 client option to 'Y'.
5. Click on the Save button

Notice there is a path underneath the option. That path is used by the Z39.50 client application to open your library to search. The path looks like: z3950.libraryworld.com:210/[library_name]. The brackets should be removed when using the path and any spaces in the library name should be replaced with underlines.

New Maximum Fine Per Item Feature

You can now set a maximum fine per overdue item that overrides the library fine policies.

To set the maximum fine per item, go to the Settings->Policies page. Click on the 'Edit Default Values' link. A new field called 'Default Maximum Fine Per Overdue Item' appears. Leave it blank if you do not want a maximum fine. Enter a value to set a maximum fine. This amount will override any fines that are greater than that value when checking items in. Fines less than the value will not be effected. Fines already charged will also not be effected.

Here is a side benefit of the feature. If you want to check many books in without charging fines, you could set the Max Fine to '0.00' and check them in. Just make sure you go back and clear the value afterwards.

The LibraryWorld Team

New Delete Fields Command

Deleting multiple fields in a catalog record can take some time. We've improved the process by adding a delete fields mode.

When editing a catalog record, there is now a new 'Delete Fields' button right next to the 'Add Field' button. If you click on this button, you go into a special mode that displays a delete button next to each field. Delete fields fast by clicking on these buttons. Remember to click on the Save button at the top to save changes to the record.

We recommend keeping fields that may be important to the integrity of the catalog record. One cataloger's worthless field maybe important to the next cataloger. You can always hide fields from patron displays by using the field suppression feature in OPAC customization settings.

We hope this feature provides a more streamlined process for editing records.

Upgrades to Checkout and Patron Pages

We are always careful about adding new features, but we thought these requests from customers were worth implementing.

While checking out items, the Comments field of the patron record is now displayed. If there is information in that field that you do not want the checkout desk to see, you'll need to delete or move the data to another field. We have also included on the checkout page a summary line that displays the total items checked out, overdue, on hold and total amount of fines.

When searching for patrons, we have added the total out, overdue and on hold for each patron in the find set.

When viewing a patron record, we created a new button to 'Pay All Fines' at once; instead of clearing them one at a time. A total amount line has also been provided at the bottom of the fines table.

Again, we know our customers appreciate a clean user interface that is uncluttered, easy to learn and easy to use. With that in mind, we hope these additions add value to the circulation process.