by Agnes Lee
Quick Summary
In the last few years, Minitex has reported some of the changes we have made in Resource Sharing, including the standardization of request formats, the addition of lender locations and/or call numbers, and short URL barcodes that print on the request and point to the
In the last few years, Minitex has reported some of the changes we have made in Resource Sharing, including the standardization of request formats, the addition of lender locations and/or call numbers, and short URL barcodes that print on the request and point to the needed article. These changes have enabled us to streamline our workflow significantly in Resource Sharing and were made possible with the use of our internal request database, Alexis. Alexis was last updated in 2002, so it is time for some changes to that system. Resource Sharing and IT staff have joined forces to embark on the next chapter of this great venture. A name for this new system was recently selected; it will be called Mira.
Our project goal is to develop a dynamic, flexible application that supports the wide range of Resource Sharing processes and that will be capable of adapting to our future needs. The Alexis Project group members have identified many objectives, and some of the highlights include:
- Delivery of requests electronically to Minitex campus locations sites.
- Elimination of paper requests and printing of requests on demand.
- Batch updating of requests tailored to every interlibrary loan system used.
- Automation of statistical collection throughout the life cycle of requests.
- Provision of an interface for libraries to view the status of requests in real time.
The first change is being implemented in stages. We have been experimenting with our request format; we will no longer be printing on colored paper. In an effort to decrease our overall process time, we are planning to begin printing the requests at our campus library locations instead of in the main office. You may notice other changes in the look of our requests as we continue to refine the sytem and processes.
We are approaching this project with great enthusiasm but also with caution. We are working with staff to design a product that will be beneficial internally as well as externally to Minitex libraries. Stay tuned: we will be sharing more major milestones with you as the project progresses.
