FAQ

How do I add a new Librarian or Operator in Alexandria so they can check out books to students?

Librarians, students, staff, and admins are all added into the system as patrons, but have different levels of access based on their Security Group. Take a look at Adding Operators. We also recommend reviewing our Security Best Practices to ensure organized operator records and seamless access.

I haven’t printed barcode labels in a while. When I went to do this, I went to Operations and then Labels. It took me to the support center. What am I doing wrong?

The “Labels” tab is not currently functioning, it is there to inform our customers in the future we will be changing the way you will access labels. Until we have made this change, you will want to access labels through the “Reports” Tab.

Go to Operations
Select Reports
Choose Categories: Copies

4. Click on Copy Labels (3×10) — Barcode Labels, Envelope Labels, Info Labels

How do we see how many total books are in our collection?

Click on the ‘?’ Icon in the top right corner of Alexandria, and select ‘About Alexandria’. This will give you a total number of items and patrons currently in your catalog, and also tell you how many you are allowed to have based on your license.

Can I have more than on Slideshow?

While you can only have one Slideshow active from the primary /slideshow location, you can always show additional Slideshows by creating Explore buttons that link to a Slideshow URL.

Tip: Custom Slideshow Buttons

You know you can go to /slideshow to view a slideshow of items as determined by your settings in Preferences > Researcher > Slideshow.

You know you can create an Explore button that links to your Slideshow.

But did you now that you’re not limited to a single slideshow? You can set up as many custom slideshows as you want, each with a specific URL.

Here’s how:

To get your primary Slideshow URL, add /slideshow to the end of your login URL. For example, https://demo.goalexandria.com/slideshow.
- If you’re in a centralized catalog, the URL will also include your site code at the end, like https://ccdemo.goalexandria.com/slideshow?site=EVE.
Now, let’s add a search string. At the end of the Slideshow URL, add ?search=search string. For example, if you want a slideshow with books about space, you’ll enter ?search=((smart::space)).
- Search strings can be complicated, but they don’t have to be. For an easy way to get a search string, go to Search and perform a search or open the list you want, then click Share and copy the search string. You can paste the whole thing at the end of your Slideshow URL.
But wait, there’s more! You can add the parameters for speed, layout, and transition.

For speed, add &speed=3 for 3-second intervals.
For layout, add &layout=split or &layout=preview.
For transition, add &transition=fade or &transition=drawer or any other transitions that you can see in your Slideshow preferences.
Go to your site’s Slideshow Preferences and tap View Slideshow. Copy that URL and manipulate the settings in another tab or window to see what works.
Here’s a breakdown of what your URL could look like:

Now you can use that custom Slideshow URL with any Explore button to lead your patrons to your beautiful Slideshow.

Can I have different maps for different rooms?

Absolutely! You can have as many maps as you need to accurately show your item locations. Though you may need to get creative with your call numbers if you’re running the same call-numbered materials in different locations (i.e. 100S – 300S for a storage location and 100 – 300 for shelved items).

How do I create a map to use in Alexandria?

You can create a map using any type of image creation software, like Photoshop, Illustrator, Paint, etc. You can also take pictures of where the shelf is situated in the library, or hold an art contest with your students to create distinctive markers for each shelf. You can also use text to describe the location for the visually impaired. This article from Classroom Architect might help.

Which inventory mode should I use?

Well, we recommend using Inventory Management, which keeps track of inventory sessions and can save you time when performing inventory. But if you are doing inventory in Circulation, use Inventory Bookdrop (IB) with a wired scanner, or Inventory Bookdrop Suppressed (IBS) with a wireless scanner. If, for example, you’re inventorying classroom sets checked out to teachers, you would choose Inventory (I) or Inventory Suppressed (IS) mode so those items are not bookdropped. In the Inventory Module, this means checking or unchecking the options for Audible alerts, and “Bookdrop items scanned during inventory”.

For more information, read about ourPerforming Inventory Through Circulation, and inventory Circulation Commands.

If I start inventory now, can I still check out items?

YES! You can inventory while you are circulating, and circulate while you are in the inventory process. Just be sure to keep track of your Inventory Start Date.

Can I use an iPad to do inventory?

Absolutely. You can use an iPad or Chromebook to perform Inventory. If you are using an iPad, you will also need a compatible wireless scanner. Ask our Sales team what they recommend.