These changes address the following
issues:
1) Sorting Results by Location
Dynix has confirmed that iPAC cannot be set up to sort the bib-level results list by location. This functionality
is currently slated for inclusion in iPAC version 4.0, which is scheduled for release between April and June 2004.
When this happens, we will implement it (assuming there are no unforeseen complications). In the meantime,
we are implementing a workaround that delivers a limited version of this capability.
At the top of the Search page, a small button with a flag appears. It is used to toggle the iPAC between
searching only the holdings of the local library and all SELCO Online Library holdings. This allows the borrower
to choose between the two. The downside to this approach is that there is no way to save a previous search
if the borrower switches between the two options. Performing a search and then clicking the button to switch
searches will require the borrower to start over with the search.
Note that the borrower may tell what kind of search they are performing by looking at the text in the upper
left corner of the search page, which will say either "You're searching: All SELCO Libraries" or "You're
searching: Yourlibraryname".
It is possible that borrowers or users may need to limit a search to a location other than their own. Staff
PAC offers this functionality, but to do it in iPAC, you have three options:
- Use the Advanced Limits feature of the Advanced Search page to limit by location
- Access the catalog via the SELCO webpage and select the location you wish to search when logging in to the iPAC
- Modify the URL you are searching. WARNING: INFORMATION FOR TECHIE-TYPES (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE)
FOLLOWS. IF YOU AREN'T A SECRET COMPUTER NERD, YOU SHOULD JUST STICK TO THE TWO OPTIONS LISTED ABOVE.
When you first login to the iPAC, you start on the Basic Search page. BEFORE you do any searches or
click to see another page of the iPAC, the URL in the web browser's Address field follows the following format:
http://ipac.selco.info/ipac20/ipac.jsp?profile=al#focus.
In this example, I selected Albert Lea Public Library. You will notice that, buried in the URL, is the phrase "profile=al". This part of the URL shows that Albert Lea PL is the current profile (al is Albert Lea PL's location code). It is possible to change the library you are searching by changing the profile (in this example, al) to the location code of the library you wish to search. Note that you need to do this immediately after logging in to iPAC before performing any searches. This option is not for the faint of heart and should not be shown to borrowers. But there are a few power users out there (you know who you are) and they may choose to use this shortcut.
2) Requested Changes to Indices
In the Basic Search page, the Keyword and Title searches will be modified so they do not search the notes (including 5xx) fields of the MARC record. Searching these fields has caused many hits in the result set that are only peripherally (at best) related to the original search. The other searches on this page do not search the notes fields are not being modified. Additionally, a Subject search will be added that does a subject keyword search (not notes fields). Keyword (which is a general keyword search) will remain the default.
In the Advanced Search page, the Title and General Keyword search will be modified so they do not search the notes fields of the MARC record.
Three new searches will be added:
- Contents/Notes, which will search the notes fields
- General Keyword, which will perform a general keyword search (excluding notes fields)
- Expanded Keyword, which will function like the existing Keyword search as it exists now (so as not to lose that search, which is still useful for very specialized searches)
3) Link to Advanced Search on Results Page
At the top and bottom of the results list, text reading "Didn't find what you were looking for? Try our Advanced Search page!" along with a link to the Advanced Search page will appear.
This is a lower priority change and has not been scheduled. It will be performed when high-priority problems/modifications have been addressed.
Many thanks to the committees listed above along with all other users who have made thoughtful suggestions for the improvement of the SELCO implantation of iPAC. As these modifications are phased in, email will be sent to CONPUB and CONSCH.
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