Operations

How do I print and align barcodes?

See our Alignment Troubleshooting tips. Specifically, make sure your scaling is set to 100% or Actual Size in your PDF reader. Also, you’ll want to make sure you’re using the correct type of labels for the barcode report you’re using.

How do I update Patron records with a file on my computer?

First, make sure the file is tab-delimited (not a csv file).
Make sure you have a way to match the patron information with the info in the file, such as barcode, RSN (Record Sequence Number), GUID (Gobally Unique Identifier), Government ID (SSN), Community ID (Student #), or Primary Email, First Name, and Last Name (all 3).
See Patron Imports Best Practices for more information.

How do I get a file to import my patrons?

Start by exporting the necessary data from your student information system (SIS) in a tab-delimited text format. This file can be imported into Alexandria Librarian to add new patron records and update any existing patron records simultaneously.

How can I share the top borrowed titles in my library?

Share your top titles

Where can I find the report for Unused Labels/Barcodes?

Go to Operations>Labels>Special>Unused Barcodes. Under the Options tab, specify if you are running the report with the Range Information, Barcode List, or Barcode Labels (3×10) format.

How can I add an email address to send out notices?

To start sending email notices, you must first configure your email preferences. Please refer to our email preferences page for step-by-step instructions.

What’s the best way to automate my patron overdue or hold notices?

How do you want notice to be sent? If you’d like the program to do most of the work for you, try Automatic Email Notifications. Go to Preferences > Circulation. In the Circulation Settings tab, click the Enable automatic email notifications checkbox. This feature automatically sends email notices to the patron’s email address for in-stock holds, overdue fees, and a number of other things. Read more about it in Circulation Settings.

For those of you who want greater control over your notices – such as when they go out and to whom – use scheduled notice reports. For example, you could set up an Overdue Items and Unpaid Charges Notice report for each grade or homeroom and schedule it to email the teacher every month so they can help remind students.

Go to Operations > Notices, add a new notice, and choose the Items Out or Holds category.
Test out a few of the report notices to see which ones work best for your situation. When you’ve found one, click Create at the bottom right.
Build your report in the Selections and Options tabs.
In the Overview tab, schedule the report to run at a specific frequency and time.
You can also enable email notifications and specify to whom the notices will be sent. Separate email addresses with a comma.

And if you find it meets your needs, you can even use both methods at the same time!

What do I need to do before winter break?

See a collection of our favorite tips about winter break:

Ho ho hoping to get your books back before the break?

Have you checked your email settings?

Winter storms–recompute due dates

How can I import new titles and existing copies?

There’s a tip for that!

How can I import items into Alexandria?

Go to Operations > Import and select the category of what you are importing. Upload the file from your computer, and make sure to configure the field map. Note: Marc records don’t need to be field mapped. See Import for more information.