The latest version of Mandarin Oasis includes several new features and a few corrections, as we continue to upgrade and improve our software to provide you with the most efficient and helpful library system. Some of the new features are:
- Your OPAC now allows searching and limiting by Lexile and Fountas & Pinnell ranges. Look for the Material Types and Lexile dropdowns below the search form.
- In Circulation you can now add new patrons without having to click over to Cataloging.
- You can add holdings and optionally flag them as temporary (using the Temporary checkbox in Record Editor at the top right). This can be done in either Circulation or Cataloging. Temporary holding records are automatically deleted when returned, so this feature is perfect for items borrowed from another library.
- In the Patron view in Circulation there is now a ‘See Messages’ link to the lower left to view all messages for the patron. There are also now icons for viewing and editing messages in the Patron and Item views. In addition, you can choose to suppress 411 (informational) messages from popping up when the patron is initially loaded.
- The Quick Returns feature can save you time by performing the return without the wait to display the patron and item information.
- In Self Mode, the Self Check and Self Return buttons now toggle between modes. The Sign Out link can be used to exit Self Mode.
- On the Library Transactions page there have been several improvements. Additional time periods for overdues have been added to the Loans menu. There is now a dropdown to filter by patron group, and ‘Patron Group’ has been added as a column. The Patron, Patron Group, Created, and Date Due columns are all now sortable.
- It is now possible to do batch deleting and purging. In Cataloging Tools, under the Find and Replace tab, you can search for records, select the appropriate ones, and then choose ‘Delete Selected Records’ or ‘Purge Selected Records.’
- You can safely encourage your patrons to add short reviews or book reports to your OPAC without worrying about inappropriate content. If you have turned on the Ratings and Comments feature in your OPAC, the librarian must now review and approve comments. The patron must be logged in and the comments are emailed to the ‘Contact Your Librarian’ email address.
- You may not always need to scroll around the screen to see your OPAC. The display has been enhanced to be a dynamically expanding one, changing based on your own computer display. The minimum horizontal width is now 920 pixels.
If you have contacted us about a problem with Oasis recently, you will probably find that the problem has been corrected in this new version. We appreciate and encourage all feedback from our customers. If you have any questions about any of the new features, or corrections that have been made, contact us at
EMAIL US: automation@mlasolutions.com