Re: Number of lists

[Elizabeth Thomsen <et@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I know that many users find Saved Searches useful, but this is something 
that doesn't work well for large, multilibrary, multiuser systems like 
outs.  The list of Saved Searches doesn't have any of the features that 
the list of files has--  the searches are not sortable, or stamped with 
the initials and dates, and they can't be locked like review files. 
We'd like to see this work the same way that the list of review files 
works, which is much more controlled and useful.  Of course it's 
possible to have a system where saved searches must be identified 
properly by initials and date, but it's just much easier when the system 
stamps these automatically when you have hundreds of people using Create 
Lists.

For things that are run regularly, we bypass the saved searches and use 
Expect scripts, which not only remember the search strategy but also 
know when to do them.  We have a lot of scripts that create review files 
every night for our centralized cataloging operation among other things. 
  We also use scripts to do things like monthly new books lists, which 
is great because the scripts not only create the review file, but also 
output the right fields and send the data via e-mail to a Perl script to 
create web pages.

Another, more basic, option for saving search criteria is to use the 
character version of create lists and the scripting abilities in your 
telnet program.

Some of our scripts are on our NOBLE Swapshop: 
http://www.noblenet.org/swapshop/

For review files that are kept on the system for some period of time and 
need to be "refreshed" from time to time, we choose the review file that 
we want to update, choose search, choose the option to use existing 
search, and choose the name of the file in question.  In other words, 
you can update the contents of a file 10 by choosing file 10 and using 
the existing search criteria for file 10.

LaCount, Leslie wrote:

> If this was discussed previously, please excuse the repetition. I receive
> the Digest and didn't see it mentioned.
> 
> To free up a maximum number of review files (we have the minimum of 40) I've
> utilized the Save Search Parameters feature. Staff saves their search
> parameters for lists that are not needed for frequent use, but will be
> needed again. 
> 
> Anytime the staff member needs to re-create the list, the search is easily
> run according to the original, or revised, parameters. This encourages the
> emptying of files, thereby freeing up much needed space.
> 
> Those review files that need to stay active, such as those used in the
> WebOpac Featured Lists, are never emptied. However, the saved search
> parameters permit a very quick way to update those, and all, lists. 
> 
> 
> Leslie Bass LaCount 
> Technical Services Librarian 
> Orange County Public Law Library 
> 515 N. Flower Street 
> Santa Ana, CA 92703 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Travis Spence [mailto:Travis.Spence@xxxxxxxxxx]
> Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2003 1:37 PM
> To: innopac@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: Number of lists
> 
> 
> 
> All,
> 
> We have 80 lists available in the "create lists" function.  For reasons 
> that baffle me, our staff feels that is not enough, especially since we 
> just opened a new branch.  My question is, is the 80 list limit set in 
> stone or is that something we can ask III to increase?  My instinct says 
> the 80 limit is not negotiable but I thought I'd ask.
> 
> Thanks again.
> 
> 

-- 
Elizabeth Thomsen, Member Services Manager
NOBLE: North of Boston Library Exchange
Danvers MA 01923
et@xxxxxxxxxx