- Do you have a step-by-step chronology of what
we should be doing to migrate to OPALS to an OPALS-host server?
- Should we unplug our existing system: Before
or after OPALS is up
and running?
- Who do we contact to schedule training?
- If we complete a physical inventory
of our collection using the existing software’s inventory program,
should we delete those book records that are Lost and Paid? Should
we conduct an end-of-year protocol this year using the existing system’s
software?
Do you have a step-by-step chronology of what
we should be doing to migrate to OPALS to an OPALS-host server?
The catalog database can be done quickly if you can export MARC records
and holdings from the library’s existing system... patron data
would be done as soon as it is available from a school district. Here
are the basic steps to achieve this:
- Examine holdings data to confirm local holdings (852) information
- Examine and note Dewey prefixes (Fic, Ref, etc.)
- Examine and note how material types are recorded
- Examine and note loan category codes
- Configure the OPALS-NA database, OPAC screens, Circulation system
- Map MARC data to the OPALS-NA database
- Upload MARC records to the OPALS-NA database
- Upload student & teacher data
- Test OPAC and circulation system
Should we unplug our existing system: Before
or after OPALS is up
and running?
We suggest that you keep the existing server running after OPALS
is up and running for a few months. We do not expect any difficulties,
but having them available will be handy in case some data or information
might need to be transferred to OPALS.
Who do we contact to schedule training?
You can contact either Richard Grenier (rgrenier(at)bibliofiche.com),
Dan Weeks (dan(at)bibliofiche.com) or your OPALS support agency (ex.
BOCES School Library System).
If we complete a physical inventory of
our collection using the existing software’s inventory program,
should we delete those book records that are Lost and Paid? Should
we conduct an end-of-year protocol this year using the existing system’s
software?
- Complete this year’s inventory using the existing system and
delete lost and paid items from the database before exporting the
MARC database for uploading to OPALS.
- Also, run the existing ystem’s end of year procedures, print
statistical reports and retain these for future reference.
- We suggest that you print a list of missing items (not paid for)
and re-enter those into OPALS.
- Print a list of residual outstanding transactions that can be re-entered
into OPALS.
How do we import book vendor-supplied MARC records?
What do we need to communicate to our book suppliers?
- Please re-register your pre-processing profile with each of them.
- Please check with our staff or review the 852 holdings in your database
when you fill these out. One possible change might be how we use 852a
& 852b ... the location regional and building codes.
- A complete list of 852 subfields is posted at the U.S. library of
Congress website : :http://www.loc.gov/marc/holdings/echdloca.html
- Please insist that Dewey numbers and prefixes be stored in separate
fields…
Example :
852k = Prefix
852h = Dewey Classification Number (or FIC)
852i = Author Cutter /
852p = Barcode
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