WALS and ESS in 2002—A Few Highlights and Statistics

Added three new circulating libraries

• Pine River
• Redgranite
• Endeavor

Added new libraries to the network with T1 lines

• Brandon, Neshkoro, and Kingston
• Started the process for Fond du Lac

Did several major upgrades/patches to software on the Alpha Server

• Operating System
• Circulation Software
• Networking Software
• Web catalog software

Did major maintenance on the Windows 2000 servers

• Installed Service Pack 3 on eight servers
• Evaluated and installed 72 security bulletins on 10 servers as needed
• Set up new directory system needed by Windows 2000 (Active Directory)
• Centralized network backups of all servers

Added six new servers to the network

• SQL for local databases and WCTS ordering
• Websites server

· Pharos/Anti-virus server

· File server

· Web catalog server

· SQL test server

Reconfigured six older servers for other uses

· Linux server

· Test Linux server

· Firewall

· Test firewall

· Websites test server

· Test Sirsi Unicorn server (Sun Solaris 8)

Made Web catalog improvements

• Enhanced the catalog with added content from Syndetics (book covers, reviews, etc.)

· Started testing and enhancing the next version of the software

Did a major upgrade to the Pharos system for managing public PCs

· Configured a new server

· Implemented the new version of the software at Oshkosh

Provided support to Winnefox libraries

· Made over 18 visits to libraries for PC support

· Made over 12 visits to libraries for training

· Handled over 450 support calls

· Repaired over 60 PCs

• Programmed over 80 custom collection development reports for WALS libraries
• Produced over 130 statistical reports for tracking website usage for the libraries
• Ordered and configured 25 new Dell PCs & laptops (Plus lots of other equipment)
• Set up VNC (Virtual Network Computing) for remote access to over 30 public PCs
• Handled paperwork, contact work, and orders for 43 Gates computers for 20 libraries

• Ordered and set up a new circulation server for Campbellsport

Worked on various projects and service improvements

· Set up and tested new web-based mail software (SquirrelMail), for remote users and non-Outlook users

· Set up a wireless training lab at Green Lake

• Set up an email list for Menasha patrons
• Implemented CD-Rom server project for Oshkosh

· Held three All-WALS meetings

• Published 12 editions of Ides Electronic Newsletter

· Did cleanup work on the catalog database (Subfield “v” conversion)

• Sent records to WisCat for updating
• Did major maintenance in the WALS computer room, including installing a new rack and moving servers

Put WALS information online

· Coded over 200 documents

· Added software (Perl, PHP, My SQL) to support more sophisticated website functions

· Added a search engine to the site

• Updated all of the online forms with ASP to support all browsers

Started Sirsi migration planning:

· Had phone meetings/email exchanges with other recently migrated sites

· Had phone meetings/email exchanges with Sirsi staff

· Evaluated many Sirsi Unicorn sites’ web catalogs

· Started checking for anomalies in our database that need to be fixed before the move to the new system.

· Explored and tested replacement options for other services running on the Alpha (DNS, email distribution lists)

Implemented EZProxy for remote patron authentication for all system libraries

· Created access to 36 products from eight vendors

· Created a branded version of the electronic resource page for each library (see http://www.winnefox.org/er/ for a list)

Did major work on Web sites

• Re-designed Winnefox Library System www.winnefox.org

· Created a new site for Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC)

www.winnefox.org/wplc

• Created a new site for Oshkosh Sesquicentennial

www.oshkoshonthewater.com/150

• Re-designed Coloma Public Library web site

www.colomalibrary.org

• Added Monthly New Arrivals lists on WALS libraries' web sites with links to the web catalog
• Added search capability to web sites
• Registered <.lib.wi.us> domain names for all Winnefox libraries
• Moved the American Red Cross of East Central Wisconsin web site from CoreComm to TDS.net www.ecw-redcross.org
• Added the trustee manual to the Winnefox website

Made presentations (Joy Schwarz)

• Manitowoc-Calumet Library System workshop "Web Searching: Beyond the Basics" www.winnefox.org/programs/Manitowoc/
• Fox Valley Library Council program "A Few Good Web Sites" www.winnefox.org/programs/fvlc/
• WLA Conference program "What's New, What's Fun, and Sites We Couldn't Live Without" www.winnefox.org/programs/wla2002/

Programmed and put into production local online databases

• Oshkosh Obituary Index www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org/obituaryindex/
• Oshkosh Firsts, Facts, and Frequently Asked Questions www.oshkoshpubliclibrary.org/FAQ/OPLFAQ.html
• Fond du Lac Vital Records Index www.fdlpl.org/fdlvital.html
• Materials ordering system for WCTS

Set up data entry forms for new local databases

· Menasha newspaper indexing

· Oshkosh vital statistics

Researched and implemented calendaring software

• OPL (Public Events and Bookmobile)
• Oshkosh Sesquicentennial site
• Others in process

Set up and managed automated routines:

• Made over 1,300 backups
• Caught over 1,100 email viruses
• Logged 73,000 security events
• Logged 4,000 hacking attempts
• Produced 35,000 daily reports
• Produced 500 monthly and annual reports
• Produced 200 reports used for the booklists with links to the web catalog