The SHARE update to Polaris 7.6 was successful on Aug. 3; below are the update notes. If you have any questions about any of the upgrades, please contact SHARE Administrative Services Manager Dena Porter.
- Making bulk changes to patron records
You will now be able to make bulk changes to patron records from a patron record set in Leap. Previously, bulk changes to a patron record set were only available when using Polaris.
- Saving patron records with a single patron name
Some patrons have a single name instead of a first name and a last name. The new Patron registration: First name required parameter will allow library staff to save a patron registration record if a patron identifies using just one name.
- Showing patron age in Leap
Libraries with age-restricted items might find it useful for staff to see a patron's age. You can enable the patron's age to show in Leap via their patron record by hovering the cursor over the “i” icon next to the patron’s name.
- Showing the patron’s username in Leap
You can now choose to display a patron's username for library staff in Leap. Libraries might find it useful for staff to see a patron's username so staff can help patrons who have forgotten theirs. Many patrons will change their PAC logon from their patron barcode to a username.
- Combining picklist holds views
You can now choose to display holds in one combined list in Leap. Libraries might find it useful for staff to see holds in one combined list to easily identify the material they need to pull from the hold shelf without having to check multiple tabs.
- Pickup locations
If your library has specific areas where patrons can pick up their items, we can now define those locations, such as curbside, holds locker, reference desk, etc. When placing a hold in Leap or in the PAC, staff members and patrons can now select a pickup area within a pickup location.
- Setting or viewing a patron’s preferred pickup location in Leap
When you register a patron in Leap, you can now specify the patron's preferred pickup location. You can also view or edit a patron's preferred pickup location on the Patron Record workform.
- Adding default fee descriptions
Fees are charges that are unrelated to overdue fines. Examples of fees include patron registration charges or the price of a pair of headphones. If your library has items they regularly charge patrons for, such as headphones, laminating, etc., we will be able to enter a default description for your library.
- Age-related loan policies
If your library is using an age-related loan policy, we can now configure Polaris to restrict check-outs and hold requests for specific material types based on the patron's age. For example, you can block patrons under the age of 13 from checking out or placing a hold request on movies rated PG-13. These blocks apply to the initial check-out only; Polaris does not check the patron's age during renewal transactions.
- Declaring items damaged in Leap via check-in or the patron record
Leap now supports the ability to declare an item damaged. During this process, you will have the option to charge and notify the patron or update the item only. If charge and notify are selected, the item will be checked-in and the circulation status will be changed to Damaged. If applicable, replacement and processing fees will be added to the patron’s account. If update the item only is selected, the item will be checked-in, the circulation status will be changed to Damaged, and a system-generated block (“Item is Damaged”) will be added to the item record.
- New custom menu options in Leap
Leap now supports three new menu options that your library can choose to enable and customize. Each menu option opens a website that your library specifies. This is a great way to add websites your library might use during patron transactions: Fantastic Fiction, Goodreads, etc.
- Bulk waiving fines
We can now bulk waive fines. When many libraries decide to go fine-free, they like to give all their patrons a clean slate. Previously, we did not have a way to bulk waive fines, so library staff had to do this manually, which can be quite time-consuming. There are quite a few options for bulk waiving fines, so if your library is interested in this, please contact SHARE.
- Support for in-line editing MARC records in Leap
Leap now supports in-line editing for MARC records, which allows you to catalog bibliographic or authority records without using the mouse. (You can also still edit records using the mouse, if you prefer.)
- Searching for bibliographic records by National Bibliography Number
You can now search for bibliographic records by National Bibliography Number (NBN) in Leap.
- Working with templates in Leap
Using item templates, you can create item records quickly by reducing the number of fields you need to modify. The information in the item template is copied into every item record created with the template. Now, item templates will be able to be created, modified, and deleted in Leap.
- Bulk change circulation status
In-Process and On Order circulation statuses are now available for item bulk changes.
- Making ad hoc changes to items
Using Leap, you can now change details in multiple item records as necessary without creating a record set first.
- Support for working with lists of ISBNs in Leap
Leap now contains new features that make it easier to search for and work with lists of ISBNs.
- Adding bibliographic records to a record set from a file
You can now add bibliographic records to a record set from a file that contains a list of ISBNs. The ISBN must match bibliographic records that are already in the database and be in a .txt, .csv, .xls, or .xlsx format.
- Bibliographic statistics now include circulation by branch
Library staff can now view bibliographic circulation statistics divided by branch location using the Bibliographic Record work form in Leap.
- Expanded support for publication patterns in Leap
Leap has enabled you to view, edit, close and reopen, and delete Publication Patterns for serials. Now Leap also enables you to add a publication pattern from a Serial Holding Record (SHR).
- Copy serials holding records
You can delete the Serials Holding Record and return to Serials Check In from the menus in the Serials Holding Record header. Now Leap also enables you to copy Serial Holdings Records from the Actions menu. This is especially useful when you are creating multiple copies of a title for different locations.