FAQ

What are RDA mediums (text-unmediated-volume) and how do I make them understandable in Researcher?

Resources Description & Access (RDA) is a newer standard in which mediums are stored in the 336, 337, and 338 fields and have three components separated by dashes, such as text-unmediated-volume (this one is equivalent to book). Since this medium format is a little harder for patrons to understand, you can add aliases (i.e. alternative names) that will show in Researcher instead. Read more in Best Practices for Mediums in Alexandria.

Why does it say my Import file is not the correct file type, even though they are .mrc?

Usually this means the wrong import type is selected on the left. Make sure you have Items selected, and the import should run correctly.

When running a utility, how can I make sure that only the items or patrons I want affected are removed?

We recommend running a report, first! The Copy Information Report and Patrons Information Report can show you exactly which items and patrons will be affected–just make sure the selections in the report match the selections in the desired utility. When in doubt, reach out to our support team at support@goalexandria.com.

How do I get genre information into my item records?

The easiest way is to ask your vendors to include genre information in the 655_a field of the MARC record, so it’s added upon import. You can also add it by editing your records manually or by using the MARC editing tools, such as certain Utilities or Authority Control.

Can I enter more than one 655_a genre field to my Item records?

Yes! Add as many genre fields as you need for your patrons to find the item in Search. Keep in mind that only one genre will be displayed in the Items module, but you can click on the pencil icon to open the Genre Editor and view the rest.

Where is the genre information located within Alexandria?

Genre information is pulled from the 655_a MARC tag. You can view and modify the data in Items using the Items Editor or MARC View Editor.

Is it required that patrons log in to write reviews?

Patrons do need to sign in to the Researcher to write a review. The default Alexandria login information is Username = Barcode and Password = Last name. See our step-by-step instructions on writing reviews, and read more about Reviews.

When using Scout, is there a way to automatically show all items that are checked out?

There sure is! You can choose to automatically show or hide checked out items in the results list by using Scout preferences. Go to Builder > Searching and look at the Scout column. In the Unavailable Items row, check whether you want to hide or show unavailable items.

What is the difference between on-shelf holds and in-stock holds?

Generally, you will see On-Shelf Holds on items that were “Available” when the hold was placed, meaning it should be on the shelf. Once you’ve pulled the On-Shelf Holds from the shelves, bookdrop them to change their status to In-Stock. Then place them in the holds area of your library for patrons to check out. For more information on the two, see Best Practices for Holds.

What is the difference between a hold and a reservation?

Holds are placed on either a title or copy record when a patron would like to check it out as soon as it is available. However, a reservation is placed on an item for a specific date range.