Today we have released the changes described in an earlier post, where we improve the handling of errors.

The live customers have been able to preview the new release, as usual, with a fully functioning view of their own catalogue and data but using this new version of the software. Both the preview and the live release become available to all Prism 3 customers for no effort on their part, a benefit of the Software as a Service model of Prism 3.

In addition, as usual, this release includes enhancements that consolidate the robustness, reliability, scalability, and flexibility of the Prism service for the benefit of all current and future customers.

We’d love to hear what you think of Prism 3, either in comments to this blog post or in the Prism forum.

I wonder how many of you saw the recent popularity list of most visited libraries?  As with any list this is subjective, but the main point of the MLA report was two fold, firstly that Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library had more visitors and lent more books than any other in 2007/08. Closely followed by libraries in major cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Croydon.

However the second part of the report was also interesting; as the BBC states (after the doom and gloom about the number of physical visits being down overall)

“But the number of people accessing library services via the internet, for services including book renewals and catalogue inquiries, was up by 20%, with more than 76 million web visits.”

This isn’t surprising news, the way in which people access services has changed to being online as a first port of call. So, with 76 million web visits how are you going to make sure that users keep returning to renew items, or see what you have in your catalogue? At Talis we have prepared for this by ensuring that the next generation OPAC can have an attractive interface, and also that the search can be accessed from anywhere. Its by having an attractive, modern and intuitive interface to your web presence that will keep your users coming back and also attract new ones.

Please see Richard’s post below for details of how to do this.

We are preparing a new release of Prism 3. It is currently in testing, then it will be made available to customers for preview, before being put live.

This release will improve the handling of errors. Sometimes a user may see a message saying that an error has occurred. This can be due to configuration problems in the local system or between Prism and the local system, relating to user transactions such as renewal, reservation or cancellation and changing PIN. We are working to resolve these issues. This forthcoming release will do two things to help:

• It will automatically notify us with details each time such an error occurs. This will help us to diagnose and fix the causes of the errors.
• It will present the user with more a more helpful page, including the option to send a feedback message. This will generate an email to the same addresses as the existing feedback option in the top menu. The text on the error page is configurable. The default page content, which will display between your local header and footer, is shown in the image below (click it to see a large version).

New error page body

When the release is ready it will be made available as a preview, as usual, before release to the live service.

Today we’re pleased to announce the release of some new features as part of the continuous development of Prism 3. Read the full blog post here.

University of Bolton library

As we all strive to do the best job possible, the importance of getting feedback from customers is really important. The validation of knowing what we are doing has an impact; and more importantly makes a difference is gratifying for all of us.  That’s why surveying users has always been an important aspect of any library service.  The need to ensure that what is being provided for users of the service is meeting their expectations is an integral part of checking relevancy and satisfaction. Its a way of learning what people want and how things can be improved.

The University of Bolton have recently undergone an extensive refurbishment (and blogged about it) including a new entrance area, self service and they also implemented a new library Catalogue, Talis Prism.  They have asked their users for comments regarding the catalogue, which they have shared with us:-

“The library catalogue is much easier to use now”

“ the new library catalogue is a very welcome improvement making navigation far easier.”

” Library catalogue – is excellent, easily navigated and accurate”
It’s great to see this type of response from users of Talis Prism, have a look at the University of Bolton’s implementation and see for yourself. Also come along to our Talis Prism days to see how Prism can make difference to your users; and to your catalogue.  Of course, not all the comments are completely positive, as the old adage goes, you can’t please all of the people all of the time; but as  Hugh Prather said:-

“Negative feedback is better that none. I would rather have a man hate me than overlook me. As long as he hates me I make a difference.”

An extreme reaction, but I’m sure you get the point.

Today we’re pleased to announce the release of some new features as part of the continuous development of Prism 3.

As usual, live customers have been able to preview these new features – this gave them a fully functioning view of their own catalogue and data but using this new version of the software.  Since Prism 3 is Software as a Service, the new features are now available to all Prism 3 customers without having to do anything.

You can see the features that do not require a user login in our demonstrator.

Spelling Suggestions
Spelling suggestions are a familiar and valuable part of the search experience on the Web. This first step in spelling suggestion functionality in Prism gives English language suggestions when there are no results for the user’s query. It gives suggestions for single and multi-word queries. As a starter, try ‘digitl photograpy’. The suggestions in this version come from a dictionary, so it may suggest a word that retrieves no results.

Change PIN
As a library user, you can sign in to your account and select an option to change PIN, near the top of the page. On the change PIN form page, you can confirm your current PIN and enter your new PIN twice to confirm it. Your input is checked and error messages are given as appropriate. Your new PIN is effective the next time you sign in.

Advanced Search Clear Form Button
On the Advanced Search page (also known as Search Options), there is a new button labelled ‘Clear Form’. This clears all the fields on the form.

In addition, as  normal, this release includes enhancements that consolidate the robustness, reliability, scalability, and flexibility of the Prism service for the benefit of all current and future customers.

We’d love to hear what you think of Prism 3, either in comments to this blog post or in the Prism forum.

Visit the OPAC of Broadminster University – the fictional University used to demonstrate the possibilities achievable in our new OPAC, Talis Prism. Additional features including an instant messaging service, a book jacket carousel and calendar integration, demonstrate the extendibility of Talis Prism. Find out how you can optimise such features in your OPAC by attending an upcoming Talis Prism Day.

The latest to go live with Talis Prism, is the University of Bolton. You can view their new OPAC here. Do you like its interface? Its features? Find out how you could achieve something similar at your organisation by attending an upcoming webinar.

The Talis Prism rollout programme has started in earnest with us working with initial customers to launch their new Library Catalogue. To find out how you can start to plan for your new catalogue you can register for a Talis Prism Day.

In the ongoing series of Prism Days I have been demonstrating how the application has been designed to make it easy to extend it’s functionality.  One of the example extensions I have been showing is a tool for the translation of the text displayed on any of the Prism screens in to speech to aid access for users with visual problems.  With this extension Prism talks to you.

The extension is based upon a service from Textic Ltd, a UK based software company.

Check out the demonstration in one of the Broadminster demonstration Prism tenancies – click on the ‘Click to Show Text Reader’ icon in the page footer.   There is a page in the Prism Developer Wiki that describes the simple steps taken to install it.