Status Update of Online Add/Delete Function

The Locator is the statewide union catalog used by the public and libraries to locate library items. It represents the holdings of 666 Iowa libraries and contains 3.6 million titles and represents more than 14.7 million items held in Iowa Libraries.

The State Library and the SILO Help Desk have been receiving many questions about the status of the Online Add/Delete function of the Locator.  Many librarians are missing this function and are curious (and in some cases frustrated) about the status of this function.

In 2007 the automation software used to manage the Locator was rapidly reaching end of life, so SILO staff began investigating alternatives. Upgrading the existing software wasn't an option, because the vendor was moving to a completely different system. We began testing and evaluating Zebra to store and search the Locator database.  Zebra is a full text indexing and record retrieval system from Index Data. All of the Locator data was fully migrated over to Zebra at the end of 2008 and the new Locator was released to libraries in February 2009.

For the Online Add/Delete function to work properly we need to be able to load individual records or small batches of records into the Locator database. Using the built-in functionality of Zebra to do this resulted in considerable slowing of the database. As this is not acceptable, we must create an alternative which requires more and extensive development. We have a plan to do this, and we are certain we will be able to create a viable Online Add/Delete function that works for libraries.

In addition to problems with the software, staff changes in 2007 and 2008 at SILO have resulted in lost development time. Training and learning new jobs take time. SILO staff are currently working to upgrade all PLOW library Web sites to a new version of Plone. This work will be completed by the end of June, then SILO staff will immediately begin work on the Online Add/Delete function.

This has been frustrating for us too, and we ask for your patience and understanding. Online Add/Delete will return! The State Library is committed to providing functionality so that all libraries are able to add holdings to the Locator quickly and easily.

New Version of the Locator

The Locator database has been successfully migrated to the new database structure in Zebra from Index Data. 3.6 million titles were moved off the Horizon database to Zebra. Sub-standard records were not migrated which results in a much cleaner Locator database. The new Locator contains all the records that have been submitted to SILO through the SILO File Upload process since May 2008.

In addition to the search indexes that were available in the old version of The Locator, this new version has six new indexes to search. The new indexes are: Author Keyword, Publication Year, Standard Number, UPC, OCLC, and Location. The database is also cleaner, with better, and more completely cataloged records.

Development continues on Online Add and Delete and the Exception List process. Both features are disabled for now and will be released later.

 Adding Holdings and Records to The Locator

• Automated libraries can add MARC records and holdings information to the Locator by submitting files to SILO,  using the online submission method. These files will be collected and saved and added infrequently to the new Locator. Click here for instructions.
• OCLC libraries can continue the same as always. SILO continues to collect the files from OCLC and these records will be added (or deleted) during the infrequent record processing and database loads.
• Non-automated libraries should keep a list or retain the catalog cards of titles to be added (or deleted). The Online Add/Delete feature is not available. Libraries will be notified when this feature is enabled. Then libraries can work from their lists or cards to add or delete holdings information to the new Locator.

Total Database Replacements

Total Database Replacements are where a library's current holdings in the Locator are deleted and a fresh file of records from the library is added to it. SILO is not accepting TRDs at this time. Future development will include creating a system in which a library is able to manage this through a web-based interface without the intervention of SILO staff.

The New Version of The Locator and Interlibrary Loan

The new version of the Locator was made available within the SILO Interlibrary Loan system on March 2, 2009. See known issues of SILO ILL in this new environment.