Basic terminology

WALS—Winnefox Automated Library Services

WALS is the name for the Winnefox service for the shared automation system. WALS also includes telecommunication network, Internet access, file sharing & email.

SirsiDynix -- SirsiDynix is the name of the company that supplies the software for the shared automation system. It is headquartered in Lehi, Utah.

Symphony-- Symphony is the name of the software for the shared automation system. It runs on servers housed at the Oshkosh Public Library. The current version of the software is 4.1.

WorkFlows-- That is the name of the client software installed on library PCs. The client software is used to access Symphony.

BLUEcloud-- The overarching name of SirsiDynix’s new, web-based, products. Includes: Analytics, Acquisitions, Cataloging, Circulation, Discovery, Mobile, and other products.

Terms specific to WorkFlows:

Gadget-- A gadget is a button next to a text box that provides options you can use in that box. When you click the gadget, a window appears giving a pre-defined list of values. Always use the gadget to fill in the box if one is available.

Glossary-- This term refers to any word in WorkFlows with a dashed underline. When you click on the word, a pop-up window provides additional information.

Helper-- A helper is a “wizard within a wizard.” Helpers are positioned in a menu bar just below the active window’s title bar.

Hitlist-- This is the search-results list that displays after entering a search.

Toolbar-- These are accessed by the buttons across the top of the screen. For example: 1Users, 2Holds, 3Special, 4Reports, Barcoding, etc. Toolbars contain Wizards. 

Wizard-- A wizard is a button or a link on the toolbar that performs a series of discrete tasks.

Circulation terms:

Bill-- This is any money—fines or fees, owed to the library by a user.

Barred-- This is the status of a user that has been set manually delinquent.

Blocked-- This is the system-set status of a user who can’t check out material because of bills or overdues.

Fine-- Fines accrue on overdue items until the items are discharged and bills are created by the system. Fines cannot be paid—Bills are paid.

Hold-- This is a reserve for an item that is either on the shelf or is checked out to another user.

User – Is many things:
This is the patron or the borrower. And this is the staff user logging into WorkFlows, And this is a special-situation user or location, such as discard, intransit, missing, etc. For example, items can be “checked out” to user Damaged. (These transactions are not included in circulation counts.)