After a final round of testing, Libris Design 6.0 is ready for release. This new version has many features which long time users of Libris Design have asked for. (1) The log in process has been streamlined. (2) Users can now rename Divisions and Spaces, and these will resort under the new name; the old name no longer appears. (3) On the Space Screen, the View All screen is now a working screen, so users can modify quantities and inventory items on this simple “a-to-z” summary sheet. (4) Users have the ability to rename a subcategory and when moving a collection to a different space on the subcategory screen, only those spaces present in the model will appear on the pick list! (5) The collection volume screen has been modified and the “percentage in circulation” can now be changed on the pink screen. (6) Reports now feature a collections summary in the grey text box “Collections.” (7) New inventory items have been added and pricing has been updated on many others. Some modifications have been made to the Expert Models. (8) Final reports, with each chapter in a separate named file, can be sent with a single click to a folder. (9) A long persisting glitch with the Table of Contents has been fixed. (10) A recent glitch with the last line of text falling off the page in some reports has been fixed. (11) Users have the ability to add different text to the footer of each report. (12) Costs on budget screen have been updated, but are still changeable by the user. (13) Help documentation and context sensitive help has been rewritten. (14) Fonts have been modified; more screen real estate is in use — it’s easier to read!
Several users have requested help “finding” their password when they attempted to open a back up copy of the database. These files can’t be opened; they contain only the user’s files. A back up file must be imported into a clean version of Libris Design. This is a version which contains no user models. Further instructions are available on the Libris CD “Back up and Recovery” and User Help on the Libris Design website.
Libris workshop scheduled for April 12 & April 13 at Los Angeles Public Library has been posted at www.infopeople.org. Registration is on a first come first served basis.
Libris Design 6.0 will be making its debut at the California Library Association Annual Convention in Sacramento, California, on November 11, 2006. A mini-workshop will provide a sneak preview of database enhancements and attendees will have the opportunity to order their pre-release copy. Watch this site for further information on how to get this new and improved version!
If you are getting #name and/or ?description in your Reports instead of your inventory items and space calculations, then you need to reset the Macro Virus Security Protection Level. In newer versions of MS Access, this feature comes preset to the highest level of protection, which disables all macros. These macros are the basis of the “behind the scenes” functionality of these reports.
Here’s the solution: Open MS Access — not Libris Design — but MS Access. Select Tools from the top Tool Bar. Then click on Macros. If Macros is not visible, use the downward facing arrow to open up the entire selection list. Click on Macros and then select Security from the list. When the menu opens, select the lowest level of security. (Click OKAY to the warning message). When you reopen Libris Design your reports will be restored to full functionality. Why did this happen? Maybe you have a new computer or a new version of the software, or you loaded the program onto a different machine. Fix this once and you won’t have to worry about it again.
Looking at the rain pouring down outside my window, I’m reminded of the torrential rains we suffered in California last winter, and the enormous amount of damage done by the tiny leak in my roof. Library collections can suffer from fire, smoke and water damage in a disaster, but several steps in facility planning can help to mitigate these risks. The Libris article, “Collection Preservation” provides an excellent overview of this topic. Further assistance with implementation of the guidelines in this document is available from the California Preservation Program. Please see http://calpreservation.org/services/consulting.html for information on consulting services.
The Focus at WebJunction this month is on Library Space Planning.
A Libris Design workshop is scheduled for April 24 & 25 in San Francisco. Registration is on the Infopeople website.
Did you know that an estimated 30% of library customers live within a two mile radius of their library and that juvenile use decreases outside of a one mile radius? Beyond 10 to 15 miles or 30 minutes of travel time, use diminishes even in rural areas. Distance may decrease use in high income areas where residents may opt to purchase the material instead of spending travel time; and library use may decrease in low income areas when residents are required to pay for transportation.
GeoLib, a division of the Florida State University College of Information, provides a wealth of information on library facility siting and geographical and marketing research in determining the best site. The Libris Design publication, Site Selection for Libraries, includes a useful checklist for evaluating potential sites.
Remember, a good library that is out of sight may well be out of mind.
Rolling Prairie Library Executive Director Beverly J. Obert writes “Welcome to 2006, a new year, a clean slate just waiting for new ideas and plans to take shape. What are your New Year’s resolutions for your library? Whatever you wish to do, planning is the first crucial step…Last fall, I was privileged to attend a workshop on Libris Design. This is a software program developed by the California State Library through an LSTA Grant. By using this massive access database, you can design a library down to the smallest detail….In the end you can print out reports that show exactly what is in each area, the furniture and space needs, collection space and approximate cost. This is a very powerful and versatile tool.”
Beverly attended the Libris Design workshop which was sponsored by the North Suburban Library System last September. Over 600 librarians and library planners are now trained in the use of Libris Design.
