GO LIVE is Here!

The 2nd and 3rd day of the migration went well. All the data has been migrated and staff will follow up on the errors. We are not anticipating any issues but if you experience any problems today please let us know. We will be ready to help you.

Some services will still be unavailable (TM3 and Selfcheckout). We are working on those issues and hope to have them resolved as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation during this migation period.

1st Day - Symphony Migration

Yesterday we started migrating data from our old system to the new Symphony System. We started off with all staff using the Offline Circulation module which allowed our customers to checkout. We encountered a few issues in the morning but quickly resolved them.

Overall everything worked out well. IT staff assisted customers and staff in the field and ensured a smooth transition. Staff handled the new system like a pro!

It's on to the 2nd day of the migration. We expect the majority of the work to be done today. By tomorrow we will begin our testing again of the new system. Stay tuned.

Symphony Training

We finished our 2 weeks of training and everyone is ready for the migration. We started with Circulation, Reports and Catalog training. We followed up with Acq, Serials, Catalog configurations and Admin training.

The SirsiDynix training staff were great. We had two trainers who knew their stuff and came ready to rumble! They trained over 100 + staff and managed to come in early and leave late to assist with other issues. I was really impressed with them.

The Production Server is up and we are ready to migrate the data. The data load will continue throughout the weekend and hopefully will be ready to review on Monday. On Monday, August 16, 2010 we will start to extract our customer information and migrate to the new system.

The system will be down three days but we will be running in "Offline Circulation" mode. We will continue to operate. We are ready! I am ready! We are ready to serve you! Wish us good luck!

Symphony Database

Our production Symphony database is online and we are getting ready for testing. This week we had staff training and today is the last day of the Admin Essentials class. We look forward to the final data extracts and the data load. Next week is going to be rough but we are ready for the challenge!

Preparing for Symphony

We are now 14 days out until we migrate from Horizon to Symphony. Things have been going well but there is a lot to do. The new servers are being built and SQL Server loaded. Symphony and eLibrary/Enterprise should be loaded by the end of the week. We anticipate on beginning our data extraction by the end of the week. Stay tuned.

Successful Horizon Server Move

Yesterday the Horizon database was moved to a new server. The new Horizon server will be used while we transistion to Symphony. The move was successful and ahead of schedule. This upcoming week we will prepare another server for the migration from Horizon to Symphony.
By preparing the data ahead we will be able to have access to view only data when our system goes down.

Horizon Server Migration

The Jefferson Parish Library is in the process of moving our Horizon data to the new server. The database is being moved to the new server today and it's just a matter of waiting for the copy to complete. The Catalog is down. We had to stop the catalog service to make sure that the database wouldn't get locked. Once the copy has completed we will update the configuration and bring the system back online. Stay posted.

Symphony Migration

In preparation for the migration to Symphony the Jefferson Parish Library IT Department will be working with SirsiDynix to copy the existing Horizon System over to a new server on Friday, July 30, 2010 starting at 7:00am. We anticipate limited services that should last until 12:00pm. This is a very exciting time and everyone is looking forward to the new system!

What is Symphony?

Symphony is the new computer system Jefferson Parish Library will use to promote, manage, and circulate the library’s collection. If you use Jefferson Parish Library, you should know about our switch to Symphony because, while we are changing systems, it will temporarily affect your experience at the library.

First of all, the GO LIVE DATE for Symphony is August 19. That is when we plan to have all the major work done. But, you will start seeing library services temporarily affected starting August 16 when we begin the transition to Symphony.

What will change?

Most of the big changes with Symphony will be behind the scenes. However, beginning August 16, be ready for the the following library services to be temporarily affected:

1) All items will be checked out by library staff. They will have to do this manually while the computer system is switching over to Symphony. So, it may take a little longer than usual. We know this may not always be ideal - but it is only temporary. Our staff is fast and good at what they do, and, they will get you in and out of the check out as quickly as possible.

2) Self checkout machines will not be used for checkouts. If you are used to coming to the library, making your selections, and then using the bar code reader at the self checkouts - be prepared to change your routine temporarily. Because the computer system will not be available during the transition, the self checkout machines won't be available either.

You can still use the self checkouts to dispense DVDs (where those machines are available). But, the DVDs must then be checked out by staff.

3) There will be no telephone notifications for holds. Instead, they will be mailed.

4) No new library cards will be issued. Of course, if you are a user of Jefferson Parish Library, you probably already have a library card. If you have family or friends who do not have a library card, tell them to get one - but not until after August 19, when the new system is ready.

Some of these changes may still be limited after the GO LIVE DATE: August 19 – but only temporarily.

Check this website for updates on the switch to Symphony.