FAQ

Can I choose the next patron barcode Alexandria will assign?

You can! First, navigate to Preferences > Patrons > Patron Defaults tab. In the Barcode Settings section, specify the beginning number for auto-assigned barcodes – choose a number that doesn’t conflict with your item barcodes and has enough room to continue sequentially for all future patrons. Learn more in Patron Preferences.

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 update my Z39.50 preferences?

We’ve got a whole support center page with step-by-step instructions for you.

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.

How do I import patron pictures?

To import patron pictures, follow the 5 easy steps below:

Go to Operations > Imports
Select the Images category.
On the Imports pane, select Choose File.
Locate the patron image file on your computer and select it for import. Make sure the images are saved in one ZIP (compressed) file. If the file is larger than 50 MB, schedule an FTP import in the Saved tab. Check that each picture file name matches the patron’s barcode number and is in .png or .jpg format.
- For best results, images should be approximately 186 x 240 pixels in size
Once you have selected the ZIP file, click on Run.

For more detailed instructions and help, see Importing Images.

What barcode Symbology does Alexandria Use?

Alexandria uses Code 39 or Code 3 of 9. For more information on barcodes, see Barcode Your Collection

How do I advance my patron grades?

Everyone updates their patron records differently. Advancing patron grades may already be taken care of if you use patron imports or a SIS integration.

If not, go to your Grade Table Preferences and click Advance All Grades once. Check a patron record to make sure it worked properly.

For further help, please visit Patrons Preferences.

Advancing grades does not also change policies. If your patron policies match grade levels, see our Patron Imports Best Practices for instructions on updating those.

School has started and I want to clean up my item records. Is there an easy way to clean up mediums and genres?

You can do this in Authority Control, which is the part of the program that helps a user manage terms and edit, modify, or even remove them when no longer in use. To access Authority Control go to Tools and select Authority Control. You will find terms listed under both patron and item field headings.

By using the gear at the top you can select “Remove unused terms” to clean up some of these fields. This will only remove a term if none are entered into an item or patron record under the corresponding field. If you have any questions about best practices for managing Authority Control terms we recommend you call Customer Support for guidance and advice.

How can I be prepared for the beginning of the school year?

The beginning of the school year can be stressful. Please visit our free online Support Center for all our Beginning-of-Year Procedures. Following our recommendations will ensure you are ready to start at the beginning of the year.