Got my answer

From Follett

There are no plans to upgrade Spectrum any furthur than version 5.3.
You can find your version by going into Spectrum, Click on Help then select
About Spectrum Circ/Cat. If you are interested in different or more inventory
features you might want to take a look at Folletts Destiny program. If you would
like more information on Destiny or Spectrum please contact Customer service at
1-800-533-5430.

So it looks like they won't be fixing anything and I think Destiny is stupid so....

Changes I would make

I seriously doubt Sagebrush does anything to update Spectrum anymore but if they do there are some things they need to fix.

For one, I don't understand why there is not a report to show materials inventoried by circulation that are scanned during inventory. I have found three books on the shelf that we had checked out to patrons but they were on the shelf. One had even been paid for!! Also, even if this could not be done they could at least make it so that when you entered your materials into the inventory program you could go back and look at the codes listed beside each one. The way it is now you can only go back a certain number of items.

The way I have gotten the material numbers from the items with code AI is to keep scrolling down while trying to memorize the number so I can write it down. This is NOT easy but I have used it to catch two of those three. I tried reentering those barcodes a second time but the AI code did not show up on the second run through... they were all just marked A.

Also, I like the feature that allows you to print unrecongnized barcodes, however instead of just giving the last call number entered I wish it gave the last barcode entered. I could find the call number myself, but I won't know for sure which book gave the wrong code unless I have the number of the material before it.... unless I compare materials waiting to be entered to the unrecognized numbers but that takes more work.

I am sure there are reasons why it is done this way but I wish they would do an update for it to includes these minor fixes.

Can you tell I am in the middle of inventory?

Oops, an update

I thought I had already updated this. I think I did, but it didn't post. You can set your own barcode numbers using the first method in the Yes, Virginia post below. All you have to do is enter your info in the material edit screen DON"T SAVE, click view holdings. The barcode window is open still, type in your number and save. Now if you have to add more than one barcode you will have to use the add holding/delete holding method. It is a pain but at least for a quick single entry you no longer have to do that. I don't know why the Spectrum manual does not cover this. I am sure most people would like to set their own barcodes especially if you have given other numbers to companies for orders. Well, now you know if you didn't already know.

Spectrum In-Hand UGH!

I have been having issues with my In-Hand Palm device for weeks. I finally figured it out and it was so simple. The Hot-Sync was not connecting to the computer. I had done some checking and it was connected to the serial port in the back. I went back through the manual and found that there was a spot to check for USB, Serial, etc etc. Well for some reason it defaults to USB even though my cradle is connected by serial port. So after weeks of working with it when I had a few spare minutes I found that all that was wrong was the Serial box needed to be checked. I have heard that a lot of people have problems with this device. If you are having problems with yours that would be the first thing I would check...

Oh yeah, you would probably like to know how to do that. Open Hot Sync from inside Windows the little blue and red circular arrows should show up in the task bar on the desk top. Right click, click serial, unclick USB and you are ready to go.

Yes, Virginia, You can set your own barcode number.

I have not finished testing this fully, but I will and I will let you know.

First of all there is one way that you can definitely set your own number but it is a bit of a pain. There is also a second way that may work. I will start with the iffy one and then tell you the painful process.

The other day I was entering some material that was donated. Now the way I usually do this is to enter the info into material edit, hit save then go over to the holdings where the barcode number will already be set.

WEEELLLLL, I noticed that if you do not save while in material edit, but hit the holding button the barcode field is open although it has a number in it. I did not try it because I was not ready to save the information (trial run on downloading records). But, I have a feeling that if you change that number then either save while in the holding record or go back to material edit and save it will work. Wouldn't that be awesome??? I will be trying it out for sure tomorrow and will let you know how it works.

Now for the surefire way. This one is a pain and may be confusing to put into words if you have any questions feel free to ask in the comment section.

Enter whatever you want in material edit then save and go to holdings. Once in holdings you will see your neat little holding with a barcode number that you probably do not want. Click on the button to add another holding- it is okay if you only have ONE book. The little add field will pop up click add then close. Now you have TWO holdings with stupid barcode numbers. Click on "delete record" NOT "delete holding" It is the second button from the left. A little red book with an X at the bottom. Now click it ONE time and FREEZE. Be very careful not to click on anything else. Now, click on the barcode field which will now be open. Set your number and save the record. Just delete the other holding in the same manner (but don't give it a barcode number just delete it and close the window). The reason you must have the extra holding is because if you do not it will delete the entire MARC record and you will have to start over. Confused yet? Print this out and try it!!

Book Status Tip

Ever had a patron looking for a book which, according to the program, is checked in? Ever find that book a week later in the back room waiting for repair? This tip is for situations like that plus many others.

In patron edit you can create patrons specifically for this kind of thing. You may even want to create a "Library" patron type. Here are some I have added based on tips from others (the repair I thought of on my own)

Listed by Patron Last Name, First Name:

Repair, Book- Check the book out to this patron when you put books aside for repair.

Display, Book- Use this one if you display books outside the library

Paid, Book (2007)- I got this idea from the librarian I took over for. How many times have you had a patron pay for a book only to return it two weeks later after you have taken it off your inventory or have marked it lost? By checking it out to this patron, if you get the book back you can simply check it in. Also, if you specify a year, you can take all of the books off of inventory at once after enough time has passed to know they truly are gone.

You can create a patron name for almost any situation. This particular librarian had also created patron names to place books that were damaged or destroyed in hurricane Katrina.

So is it Winnebago or Sagebrush?

From what I can determine Sagebrush bought out the company Winnebago. However many libraries with the old program still call it Winnebago. In all honesty the name of the program is Spectrum. Sagebrush and Winnebago are the companies who own/ed it. Sagebrush also has several other circulation programs available.