Intro to Aleph Staff Client and Searching Helen Look Julie Weatherbee May 21, 2004

Welcome to LMS Training Introductions Training Materials

Classroom Guidelines Enjoy the light refreshments, but be careful around the keyboards Turn off cell phones and pagers during class Avoid other activities such as e-mail and text messaging during class Stay with the class, ask the rover for assistance if you need it Ask questions if you don’t understand

Overview of the Workshop Part I Aleph Overview Getting Started with Aleph Library Structure and Terminology Aleph Interface Part II Searching Conclusion Evaluations

Switching to Aleph NOTIS + III = ALEPH Aleph is the name of the library management system (LMS) software that will be replacing NOTIS and III NOTIS + III = ALEPH The bibliographic, authorities, and circulation functions of MIRLYN and the ordering and collection budget functions of Innopac will be merged in Aleph

Switching to Aleph NOTIS is no longer being supported or updated The newer software is being updated regularly More cost effective than supporting a mainframe Switch to production in July

Differences within Aleph Who is part of the change at UM? Bentley Library, Clements Historical Library, Flint Library, and the University Library These 4 sets of bibliographic and authorities records will be combined into one, but still individually searchable Aleph supports vernacular scripts in cataloging and the web OPAC

Client/Server Software “Client” (piece of software) on staff machines that connects to a “Server” Much of the work that the system does is off-loaded to the client, allowing the server to perform more intensive tasks Client/Server Software Telnet/Terminal Software MeetingMaker Pine Mulberry NOTIS M-Pathways

Aleph Overview Aleph structure and terminology is quite different from the structure and terminology we are now using There are new options, new ways of working, and even new names for what we do You will need to know these new concepts in order to be able to work effectively in Aleph

Modules in Aleph Each functional area has its own module Acquisitions/Serials Cataloging Circulation Aleph Administration ILL (not currently functional) The Reserves and Web OPAC modules are accessible via a web browser and NOT through the client software

Aleph Library Structure and Terminology NOTIS ALEPH Databases Libraries (Administrative, Bibliographic, Holdings) Locations Sublibraries (Hatcher, BUHR, Clements) Sublocations Collections (Asia, Labadie, Maps)

Aleph Library Structure and Terminology The 7 libraries start with MIU and then a 2 digit number: MIU01- Bibliographic MIU02- LC Bib Resource MIU10- Authorities MIU11- LC Authorities MIU30 - Reserves MIU50- Admin (Items, Orders, Linking) MIU60- Holdings Note: ILL currently is not functional

Desktop Client Distribution The training client is distributed through the Novell Application Explorer If you are from a library that does not use the Novell Application Explorer (AAEL, Bentley, Clements, and Flint), the Aleph client will be distributed via download to appropriate staff In both cases, email and other directions will be given

Updates to the Client Software Version Check is a built-in utility that is used to update the Aleph desktop client Version Check runs automatically when you log in to your computer (not when you log into Aleph itself)

Updates to the Client Software New updates will appear in the Version Check box upon login

Updates to the Client Software To insure that you receive the updates, you should log out and log into your computer on a daily basis

Aleph User Name and Password Your Aleph user name is your university uniqname Your Aleph password is a separate password that will be given directly to you When you receive your new password, you should change the password to something only you know and can remember There may be some units that need to use a generic user name

Aleph User Name and Password For today’s class, we will be using a generic username and password to access the training database Please Do Not Change the Training Password When you login with your username and password, Aleph will use a feature named persistence to reload the last interface you used but not the records you had displayed

Logging into Aleph Open Aleph (use the start menu or a desktop shortcut) We will be using a training database Logging in to Aleph, User Name: TRAINING Password: LEARNALEPH Note: All names automatically default to uppercase. Watch me login. [LOGIN]. Now, when you login, do not be concerned if your interface does not look exactly like the one on the screen here. This is caused by a feature of the program named persistence. We’ll explain more about persistence later. To get your interface to appear like mine, move your cursor to the upper left of the program and click on the button with the binoculars icon.