The on line catalog provides a Web based Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). The system provides:

• Select any indexed MARC field for searching
  
• Advanced Search – Define default search fields
  
• Beginner’s search – Graphic / icon searching
  
• Beginners search Icons linked to search arguments
  
• Beginner’s search options for keyword, author, title, subject searches
  
• Configure external database search tabs (federated search)
  
• External searching: Gale, Ebsco, ProQuest, Grolier, and CERF
  
• Configure integrated Z39.50 Client Protocol searches external databases
  
• Authenticate Z39.50 searching where required
  
• OPAC - integrated Z39.50 Server Protocol – can be searched by external Z39.50
  
• Boolean searching – Within and between fields
  
• Boolean searching between keywords
  
• Left, right, embedded truncation
  
• Adjacency searching
  
• Sort search results (Author, Title, Classification, Year – Ascending, descending order)
  
• Brief, expanded, full MARC citation displays
  
• Brief citation list displays highlighted search argument keywords
  
• Brief citation – add to bibliography check box
  
• Keyword search results screen provides subject browser option to view results’ headings
  
• Subject browser finds and lists all subjects containing keywords
  
• Subjects listed alphabetically, contain searched keywords (first, middle or end of heading)
  
• Select up to six subject headings and execute a consolidated search
  
• Subject browser displays alphabet – click on a letter to start browsing
  
• Expanded search display provides access to MARC editing for authorized staff
  
• Expanded display navigation to “next” and “previous” expanded record
  
• Expanded display - displays highlighted search argument keywords
  
• Expanded display – add to bibliography check box
  
• Expanded display – authorized users can edit records
  
• Expanded display – authorized users can reserve / place holds
  
• Expanded display – authorized staff can click on barcodes to view / change item status
  
• Expanded display – authorized staff can click on barcodes to change loan categories
  
• Expanded display – authorized staff can click on barcodes to view circulation statistics
  
• Expanded display - hyperlink search author, subject headings, series
  
• Expanded display – 505 detailed contents format replicates publisher content pages
  
• Displays, identifies (when 856$3 is used) and hyperlinks 856 URI addresses
  
• Identifies 856 links in the expanded record displays
  
• Formats and displays legibly, 505 contents notes (especially useful for large entries)
  
• Mark items to create sorted bibliographies on the brief citation listing
  
• Mark items to create sorted bibliographies on the expanded citation listing
  
• Add a “Title” to a bibliography (theme, topic, assignment, etc.)
  
• Add a date to the bibliography
  
• Add a comment to each bibliographic resource
  
• APA, MLA & Shelflist order Bibliographic formats
• Option to include or exclude item summaries
  
• Bibliographies can be emailed
  
• Print bibliographies
  
• Resource icons – linked to leader (books, video, etc.)
  
• Item status (copies, in, out, reserved, date due)
  
• Federated search – Multiple database authentication
  
• Federated search – Simultaneous searching
  
• Federated search – Aggregate bibliographies
  
• Customize OPAC mast, slogan, JPEG
  
• Add links to administrative / institution Websites
  
• Authenticated “My file” – Patron transaction file access
  
• “My file” – Self service reservation (if permitted)
  
• “My file” – check transactions (if permitted)
  
• New acquisitions display… displays recent additions
  
• New acquisitions – review items acquired 30, 60 or 90 days
  
• New acquisitions list sorts by classification, author, etc.
  
• Designate an expiry date to automatically remove items from “New Items” list
  
• News & Events display
  
• News and Events editor includes title, text box, and article expiry date
  
• News articles can include hyperlinks to relevant Internet resources
  
• Weblinks display shows locally selected and featured Internet resources
  
• Weblinks editor template includes title, URL, description, subject interest area, grade
  
• Library opening hours display and editor

Complete MARC records  can be stored, edited, imported, merged, and exported.
Import

• Import MARC records from diskettes & files
  
• Verifies 852a & b - adds default codes
  
• Adds default item circulation code
  
• Add an 852 subfield to imported records (ex. Add 852x… “LSTA 2007”)
  
• Checks for duplicates
  
• Merge options (new to old, old to new record)
  
• View Items Added for specific date ranges
  
• Import & merge items with holdings that have “duplicate” barcodes (union issue)
  
• Import & merge items and holdings that do not have barcode
  
• Retains import log – lists import details and user id

Z39.50 Import - Edit

• Z39.50 client integrated import & edit function
• Import MARC records from any Z39.50 database
• Import list displays author, title, publisher, date,
• 852 holding template for copy information data
• Auto adds default 852a & b (location codes)
• Adds imported record classification (852h, I)
• Multiple holdings: enter first and last barcode
• Auto adds number of 852 holdings between 1st & last barcodes
• Auto increments barcode numbers in 852p field
• Auto-add text (ex. budget and year) to a designated 852 subfield
• Modify & add data to any field - full screen editing
• Add & edit fields to imported records
• Verifies for duplicates in the catalog and identifies them during import process
• Provides access to previously entered records & option to add new holding to it
• Staff can verify duplicates items list, compare and designate best record to retain
• Designated record aggregates holdings of both records in 852 fields
• Global item type reassignment utility (“circulation category”)
• Deleted items report (…for designated date range)
• Item Acquisitions report to display new acquisitions & edits for designated dates
• Item Acquisitions report sorts by record id, author, call number
• Item Acquisitions report displays date of entry and barcode number
• Acquisitions report hyperlinks record id, title to display, edit, delete, or reserve
• Acquisitions report hyperlinks barcode to edit item status, loan duration
• Acquisitions report hyperlinks barcode to view transactions, and statistics
• Acquisitions report includes “pick-list” to select items to appear on OPAC “New Items” list
• Acquisitions report includes “pick-list” to print barcode, pocket spine label sets

MARC Record Export

• Export XML-MARC record from their databases,
• Converts to MARC21 format file.

Original Entries

• Define MARC templates for original entries (books, videos, etc.)
  
• Full screen data entry
  
• Select font size: “A A A”
  
• Select color preference
  
• Display field tag descriptions (… or not)
  
• Pop-up field and subfield pick lists when adding same
  
• Edit Indicator bites & subfield indicators
  
• Add 852 holding to existing record
  
• Add a field to existing record
  
• Add new item using template (Original cataloguing)
  
• Delete 852 Records and holdings
  
• Add 856 “Universal Resource Indicator” (URI)
  
• 856 URI is hyperlinked and appears in OPAC displays

MARC Record Utilities

• 852 Holdings Field and Subfield Search / Edit
  
• Specify date ranges, school year, or search all
  
• Search any 852 subfields for specific data
  
• Search & identify subfields that do not have data but should (ex. Circulation code)
  
• Lists records containing that data (ex. “LSTA 2005”)
  
• List includes Internal ID #, Title, Author, Call #, Barcode
  
• Hyperlinked title to access a specific record for editing
  
• Globally modify a specific record’s data, a selected group, or range
  
• Globally add data to subfields that should have data
• System logs global modification details (dates, records changed, staff id)

Circulation management functions use barcodes and barcode readers to manage loans, returns, reserves, renewals, etc.

Loans (Scan item barcodes)

• Partial borrower name entry permitted - system displays pick-list
• Displays patron transactions and reserves pending
• Displays damaged items list
• Consecutive loans to same borrower number
• Alert if item is on reserve for another borrower
• Alert if patron has overdues (override for authorized staff)
• Renewals by barcode or by item title & patron name or number
• Renewals of individual, selected or all items from patron "loans" display
• Renewals calendar can override system default for shorter or longer period

Reserves

• Reserves by title - manages multiple copies
• Reserve by barcode number or title
• Patron self-service reservations authorization (… when allowed)
• Reserve groups of items to a borrower
• Reserve priority based on date and time
• Alert when items returned have reserves
• In-house library use scanning and statistics
• Distinct audible alerts for transaction confirmation or exceptional circumstances
• Expired reserves removed from system
• Block patrons with overdue items
• Override blocks for authorized staff
• Calendar to override system transaction default dates

Returns

• Alert when items returned have reserves
• Return individual, selected or all items on loan from borrower "loans" display
• Return blocked patrons overdue items without leaving circulation program
• Scan borrower barcodes
• Touch-screen compatible
• Instant access to database and OPAC searching without logging out
• Patron self-service reservations authorization
• Unlimited, configurable patron categories
• Patron limits: Maximum loans, holds, reserves, renewals
• Patron priorities… certain patrons can have designated loan periods
• Permits patron categories that override standard loan limits for designated items
• Patron ILL authorization
• Displays scanned patron demographics
• Displays scanned patron outstanding transactions
• Define loan, renewal, reserve limits
• Print & Sort Overdue Notices using Date Ranges
• Unlimited item categories
• Item loan duration: loans, grace period, renewal, reserve, hold
• Non-circulating status
• Global item type reassignment utility (“circulation category”)
• Designate lost items
• Designate damaged items
• Circulation Statistics (Items / Patrons)
• Closing day and holiday calendar
• Calendar or school year
• Schedule and describe closing dates

An inventory program is available to scan the collection barcodes then list and mark items that are missing, and not in circulation.

• Use a portable device to scan item collection
• Upload records for comparison with database barcodes
• Produces a list of barcodes not scanned, sorted by classification number
• Verify list and add any items not scanned before printing a list of missing items
• Mark missing items
• Print list of items incorrectly shelved
• Print list of items that circ considers "on loan"
• Incorrectly shelved Items loaned but scanned… lists closest Dewey #
• Correct status to "on shelves" for individual, selected or all items from this list
• Print list of items previously considered "missing" but that turned up on the shelves
• Change status of found items from links that appear on the lists
• Staff not required to exit inventory, access editor, look up each item, to modify status
• List of invalid barcodes that were scanned, and relative shelf location
• Partial inventory – by Dewey range / or item type

A member’s database includes and functions that permit manual data entry or data import of demographic information.

• Add, Edit, Delete Users
• Import User Demographics from other sources
• Import can overlay new data in existing records
• Group editor: lists members, select all, sort, lists transaction stats, prints lists & barcodes
• Group editor list provides hyperlink to edit individual borrower demographics
• Group editor hyperlinks transaction status to view transaction details
• Unlimited user types
• Access to specific functions is configurable: Circ, ILL, Item edit, Patron edit, etc.
• User profile links to a specific building
• Three parent / guardian references
• User email, school & home address
• User & Admin Login / Password to authorized functions
• Search patron database

Dynamically created reports give important relational data for system wide information

Overdue notices & lists

• Date range selection: Visual calendars, fiscal year, or manual entry
  
• Overdue notices & lists
  
• Interactive calendar to specify date ranges
  
• Date range selection: By visual calendars, fiscal year, or manual entry
  
• Lists paginate by class, homeroom or teacher; select one, some or all to print
  
• Sort options: Grade, homeroom, name
  
• Notice includes item title, classification number, due date
  
• Prints 1, 2 or 3 notices per page (uses PDF format to ensure proper alignment)
  
• Add a custom note to notices

Reserved Item Lists

• Reserve items by searching the database
• Reserve items by barcode number
• Reserve list sorts by User Name, Dewey, Date of Reserve, Expiry Date.
• Date range selection: By visual calendars, fiscal year, or manual entry
• Reserve priority list management
• Lists all reservations, reserves available for pickup, and reserved items not yet available.
• Column to display if an item is a reserve or hold (sorts).
• When sorting by the "reserve/hold status column," it will sub-sort by the user name

Circulation Transaction List

• Calendars to select date ranges
• Date range selection: By visual calendars, fiscal year, or manual entry
• Group outstanding transactions by homeroom, grade, teacher, user
• Select a class or all groups to print a list

New Acquisitions List

• Select items from the item acquisitions list for OPAC display
• Users click on "New Items" in OPAC to display current acquisitions
• System removes selected items from the list on staff-designated expiry date
• Users can click on 30-45-60 days to view new acquisitions

Lost Items List

• Creates prints lost items list for a selected date range.
• Date range selection: By visual calendars, fiscal year, or manual entry
• Option to select holdings to delete
• Sort options author, call number
• Option to retain records that do not have any holdings for union databases
• Option to delete MARC record when the last holding has been deleted (building)
• Select or deselect all items on a page for printing and deletion.
• Lost item barcode is hyperlinked to the item's status screen. Permits rapid access to modify the item's status, or review the item's statistics to determine whether it should be replaced.
• Hyperlinked title provides rapid access to the item's MARC record and MARC editor functions.

Deleted items list

• Creates prints deleted items list for a selected date range.
• Date range selection: By visual calendars, fiscal year, or manual entry
• List sorts by item #, author, call number, deletion date
• Select or deselect individual items or whole pages of deleted items for the report
• Displays the number of records and holdings deleted for the date range

Circulation statistics

• Interactive calendar to specify date ranges
• Date range selection: By visual calendars, fiscal year, or manual entry
• Sort by Dewey, Dewey 10's, Dewey 100's
• Statistics by special collections (Fic, Ref, etc.)
• Sort by Grade, homeroom

Acquisitions lists

• Interactive calendar to specify date ranges
• Date range selection: By visual calendars, fiscal year, or manual entry
• List items imported, and entered for specified dates
• Sort acquisitions lists by author, title, classification

Item Spine & Barcode Label Set Printing

• Prints sets of three labels:
• 1 X Spine label - bold print
• 2 x Barcode labels… also prints classification #, author, title
• Sort item acquisitions list: Title, Author, Classification #
• Select one or many items for label printing

Patron Barcode Printing

• Print barcode for a borrower or group of borrowers
• Include or exclude borrower types and status (ex. staff, teachers, blocked, inactive etc.)
• Barcode includes eye-readable number, and borrower name

OPALS can be used as a union catalog, providing options to focus a search within a district or even on a specific school.

Manage multiple buildings & multiple regions ILL

• Integrated Z39.50 Server & Client Protocol
  
• Manage multiple buildings & multiple regions ILL (ex. Multiple BOCS SLS)
  
• Scope: Search all sites (Regions, Districts, Individual buildings)
  
• Scope: Search by District
  
• Scope: Search Specific building
  
• Set default to search a specific building
  
• Directory: Individual building codes, data, contacts, addresses
  
• Search results display location codes and names
  
• Retains building level multiple copy barcodes
  
• Manages inter-site duplicate barcodes (Where systems do not use distinct barcodes)
  
• Import records & update holdings from vendor or site – provided files
  
• Identify duplicate records for merging
  
• Merge options record options
  
• Batch deletions from site-provided deleted items files (May 2007)
  
• Updates & deletions capable for multiple automation systems in a region
  
• XML-MARC database structure
  
• Unicode compatible (Non Roman Alphabet languages)
  
• Stores & searches diacritics
  
• Security levels and access for regional administrators & building level staff

Import records

• Identify duplicate records for merging
• Merge options (New item to original or original to new)

XML-MARC database structure

• Export XML-MARC or MARC21 records

Unicode compatible

• Stores & searches diacritics

Support interlibrary loan services (requests, responses, packing list printouts, and tracking) in a region or among affiliated locations.

• Launch ILL request to multiple buildings
• ILL form includes private and public note box
• Requests emailed to contacts in system directory
• Email notification includes a hyperlink to ILL details
• Item request made simultaneously to selected locations
• System prevents response duplication
• Response form includes modifiable due date calendar
• Prints shipping label / packing list to send with item
• Emails message that item is en route
• Tracks item receipt, and return
• Form to request items not in the database
• Retain ILL request and response statistics
• Authenticate authorized users
• Directory of buildings: addresses, contacts, email & phone numbers location codes, etc.
• ILL statistics reports: Requests, requests filled, not filled, etc. by region / building
• Logins provide access to individual locations and statistics

Each OPALS Library can make their own choices for how the circulation and OPAC system operates. Default user category

• Default user category
• SMTP Server (for email related functions)
• Language default
• Library code
• Report group sort defaults (primary, secondary, tertiary)
• OPAC Advanced Search Field defaults
• Circ Screen timeout limit
• Login Session timeout limit
• Union catalog display options
• Fiscal Year defaults (ex. school year)
• Search attribute order
• Any number of user types or item types can be created. 
• Other databases can be added for federated searching. 
• Select your imported records from any z39.50 server in the world
• etc . . .

Equipment

• Server - Related to database size and numbers of buildings served
• Faster is better for all functions
• Processor: Intel P4, speed: 2+ GHz
• RAM: Suggested minimum 2GB
• Hard drives: 200+gigs; SCSI preferred.

Workstations (OPACS)

• Minimum 500 MHz processors
• 512 MB of RAM
• Color monitor with 1084 x 768 resolution
• Internet-connected

Technical workstations for data entry, and transaction processing

• 1 GHz processor
• 512 MB of RAM
• Color monitor
• Sound capcity with speakers
• Internet-connected

Desirable Peripherals:

• Touch screen monitor (Circulation desk, OPACs)
• Laser Printer
• Barcode Reader (…"hands-free" stand)
• Portable Barcode Reader (for Inventory)

Supplies:

• Barcodes
• Barcode label protectors
• Printer cartridges

• Red Hat Linux ES 4
• Apache
• Perl
• Zebra
• MySql