How do you keep track of over two million library holdings? That's the easy part. Try keeping track which ones are checked out to the over 217,000 registered borrowers in the SELCO region. SELCO uses software known as an ILS (Integrated Library System) to perform these and many other library tasks. Or maybe you are interested in wireless Internet access. How about PC Support? Besides the ILS, SELCO offers a broad range of technology services to help busy libraries serve their patrons. SELCO also offers Training and a Help Desk staffed over 80 hours per week to make sure libraries get maximum value from their technology services.
SELCO Technology Services are divided into three classes based on the SELCO Automation Fee Structure. Each link includes a list of services in that class:
- Basic Services are core services received by all Online Libraries for their Basic Service Fee.
- Value Added Services are optional services that each Online Library may or may not choose to receive. Fees for these services are assessed separately.
- Special Projects are services not offered on a regular basis but undertaken for a single library with an unusual need. Each Special Project is different so fees are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information or to request a Special Project, contact the Help Desk.
Interested in a service but not sure which class it is part of? Try the Search box (to the right, under the Research button)!
News
SELCO is performing maintenance related to the Storage Area Network (SAN) upgrade between 9:00 PM, May 22, 2013 and 6:00 AM, May 23, 2013. During this time, the Help Desk website at http://helpdesk.selco.info may be down for a few hours.
We are also performing work on Pharos during this time but do not anticipate it having any impact on the service during business hours. If you do have any issues with Pharos on the morning of the 23rd, please try rebooting your Pharos sign up server. …
Tyler Irvin, Technology Support Librarian
One of the most commonly used tools to gain statistical information on library transactions of SELCO Online Libraries is WebReporter. As a product of SirsiDynix, it integrates with Horizon to extract information on circulation, borrowers, the collection, fines, and interlibrary loan requests. What is commonly forgotten is that there are a limited number of licenses available for use to log into WebReporter. For the SELCO region, …
After the the first RDA class, the catalogers and I (Becky. Kristi and with help from Cindy) evaluated the class and decide to break the class into two separate offerings.
Each cataloger may choose which class they feel is appropriate for their cataloging level. Both classes fulfill your RDA cataloging requirement. Each classes will last approximately 3 to 4 hours. …
Circulation privileges in Horizon control how long items check out, what your fine rates are, and twelve other circulation rules in use in our region. There is a Horizon: Behind the Screens episode to go along with this post.
Every location has distinct privileges, meaning you have your own default value and exception views. Exceptions are based on item location, BTYPEs and ITYPEs only. …
As previously discussed, we are migrating data and virtual servers to a new Storage Area Network this week. Work is still progressing. It's fair to say that the migration is taking a good deal longer than anyone at SELCO or our vendors expected. We are, however, making progress.
In consultation with Davenport Group, the vendor for this project, we have decided to take a break after three long nights of work. …
SELCO is migrating to a new Storage Area Network (SAN) during the week of May 13, 2013. The SAN stores all SELCO data and the virtual servers that provide most of our services. A few points to be aware of:
- The SAN was assembled and installed last week. This week, we are migrating all data and virtual servers from the old SAN to the new.
- A technician from Davenport Group, the SAN vendor, will be present to assist us in carrying out the migration. …
PC Reliance is the offline circulation capturing tool associated with Horizon. This is an optional program loaded onto circulation workstations so that your staff can easily continue to check out items to patrons during network outages. There is a Horizon: Behind the Screens episode to accompany it.
PC Reliance records patron barcodes and the item barcodes the patron is taking out with them. It can also produce a receipt, if you wish, and if you have set it up correctly, …
This post is about understanding how we manage your calendars and pull lists. This post should help you understand why these are two separate actions in Horizon. There is a Horizon Behind the Screens episode to accompany it.
Although weekly schedules do not change very often, we work with you to assure your annual holiday and other closed dates into Horizon are accurate. We can add in unexpected dates, such as snow dates, …
The Group 2 OCLC Project Kickoff that was scheduled for today will be postponed to a later date. With several folks unable to attend due to closed libraries, no power, or anything else that this crazy May snow is wreaking havoc with, we will find a new date in the next week or so to have that kickoff. Cheryl will be in contact with those of you who are in that group of libraries.
I can't believe I'm even writing this on May 2, 2013, but with the horrible road conditions around the region and travel not advised almost everywhere, we are cancelling Delivery for today. We plan to resume regular Delivery on Friday, May 3, 2013 when we hope to be able to safely deliver your tubs. Stay safe!
Continuing on with our OCLC reclamation project, over 400 boxes of books were picked up from SELCO on Monday April 29 by Better Futures Minnesota formerly known as Network for Better Futures. Rushford-Peterson School and Red Wing Public Library were 2 additional stops made on Friday April 26 with over 30 boxes each. Better Futures Minnesota will attempt to resale the books, give some to local prisons, …
There's a new program on SELCOtv! What does that mean? is a very short (about a minute) program featuring definitions of library and technology terms. Ever wondered what Jonya means when she refers to SQL? Or tried to explain what digitization means to your Board? What does that mean? is the show for you.
Each episode is short and sticks to just the facts with a quick, easy to understand definition of the term in question. …
Our eCommerce problem has been resolved. We apologize for this inconvenience.
We are experiencing a problem with EnvisionWare, which has made fine/fee payments through My Account in the online catalog unavailable. We are working with the vendor to fix this problem and will send out updates as they become available.
We regret this inconvenience to library patrons.
MnLINK has informed us that the MnLINK Gateway is back up. Some text from their message:
The MnLINK Gateway and VDX are now available to use. You may experience some slowness with request searching or updating requests. The system's indexes are catching up, but we expect this to be OK by tomorrow. You may want to avoid doing large bulk actions today.
