Mandarin Oasis™•Mandarin M3^®•Optional Modules•Hardware

Mandarin M3^® - Group Editor

Assign Levels of Access through a Hierarchical Security Scheme

Mandarin M3 uses an elaborate, hierarchical security scheme that enables the librarian to assign levels of access for Cataloging, Circulation, OPAC, and database maintenance features. Security in M3 is implemented using the M3 Group Editor module. Group Editor creates, customizes, and modifies the group permissions required to gain access to M3 functions.

Groups are created with customized sets of parameters and privileges. The three default group types are patron, item, and special reserve. An unlimited number of each group type can be created, and patrons and items can be moved in batches to different groups for quick updating.

Patron Groups

Each patron record must be assigned to a group to establish circulation privileges. Patron groups can exist for types such as: general, VIP, volunteer, staff member, and so on. The following settings are established in the patron group:

General - establishes identification information such as name, description, and card expiration
Circulation Blocks - sets the rights of group members to add, modify, place, remove, and override messages
Circulation Limits - sets circulation quantity limits for the group
Circulation Access - sets the circulation rights of group members
OPAC Access - sets the OPAC rights of group members
Cataloging Access - sets the cataloging rights of group members
Utilities - sets access privileges for Inventory, Report Generator, Configuration Editor, and Group Editor functions
Members - adds or removes them from the group
Item Group Overrides - overrides item parameters for the specific patron group
Group Access - sets which patron groups have access to this group

Item Groups

Each holding record must be assigned to a group to establish the item's circulation parameters. Item groups can consist for types such as: general collection, periodicals, equipment, reference, and so on. The following settings are established in the item group:

General - establishes identification information such as name and description of the group
Circulation Periods - sets circulation time frames and fine amounts for the group
Members - adds or removes them from the group
Group Access - sets which patron groups have access to this group

Special Reserve Groups

Special reserve groups accommodate unusual circulation restrictions for special items and, if necessary, patrons. For example, a special reserve group can be created to reserve selected science books used by students involved in a four-week project.

General - establishes identification information such as name, description, and access to the group
Item Members - adds or removes them from the group
Circulation Period - sets circulation time frames and fine amounts for the group
Circulation Limits - sets circulation quantity limits for the group
Patron Members - adds or removes patrons from the group
Group Access - sets which patron groups have access to this group

Here's What's New in Version 1.7 SP1

( Current Service and Update Agreement Subscribers Only. Includes Service Pack 2 and Service Pack 3 )

Mandarin M3® is known for its powerful, sophisticated yet simple-to-use features – and now there’s more of the same! If you purchased M3 version 1.6 (or earlier) or if you downloaded a free version of M3 (version 1.6 or earlier), now is the time to upgrade to version 1.7 SP1.

Circulation

The Check Holdings for Reserves feature has been corrected. This feature allows you to create holds for all newly-added and available items, where all pre-existing holdings were on loan and reserved.
If the default loan period extends beyond a global recall date, the global recall date is always used as the due date, even if there is a session-based due date that is sooner than the recall date.
When you search for an item and click the barcode in the results list, the item loads in the item pane, but the transaction does not process.
On Windows Vista, you can search using Search Dialog and select the item (or patron) to load into Circulation.
Windows 2003 (including XP x64) and Windows Vista users no longer receive the “Initialization Failed” dialog during start up.
Various scenarios involving adjusting or overriding bookings when loaning items have been addressed: Adjusted loan overlaps first day of booking; first-created, not first-up booking removed by loan override; more than one booking not handled when a loan overrides more than one booking.
If an overdue item is renewed during the Grace Period, the Overdue Item block message is no longer displayed.
When a Booking is canceled, Circulation no longer sends out the Item Hold email.
Cancel override when doing batch processes (renewal) does not stop the transaction from processing on the first item that triggers the override. Some holds may not appear under Item Transactions, but they do show up under Patron Transactions.
When there are multiple reserves, skipping the patron with the hold and loaning the item to another patron causes the hold to be lost.

Inventory

Inventory now operates consistently on multiple-core CPU’s.

( Does Not Include Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3 )

This release introduces new features in the M3 Core modules as well as several innovative optional modules, including Syndetic Solutions, MARC Magician integrated with M3 Cataloging, and M3 Pocket Module.

New M3 Core module features are outlined below.

Cataloging

Ability to import pictures and to update patron and item records with these pictures.
Ability to create multiple holdings for a bibliographic record at one time.
When sorting, non-filing characters ("the", "a", and so on) are now ignored.
When creating a new holding for an existing bibliographic record, the prefix (852#k) is now copied into the new holding record.
Ability to tag a block of records in the main Cataloging window by selecting the first record and pressing SHIFT while selecting the last record; this tags all records in between.
The removal of empty fields after saving a record is now optional.

Windows^® OPAC

Ability to view book cover images.
Ability to link to Syndetics Solutions, which allows patrons to view summaries, reviews, and other content data for items in your collection. It also provides cover images for thousands of items. This is available on a subscription basis for an additional charge.
Ability to customize your library name on the main window.br />
Ability to save and print holdings data from the Search Results and Bookbag windows.
Ability to view holdings information in the Bookbag Details window.
In libraries with union databases, local holdings are indicated by a star-shaped Availability and Tagging check box.