Here’s a topic-level summary of the discussion, with links included:
Tracking Polaris/Leap product development
- Find, track, or submit enhancement (or parity) requests to the Idea Exchange: ILS - Polaris: New (686 ideas) – Innovate with us
- The Polaris product status board on Productboard was shared as a place to view current status and upcoming features: https://portal.productboard.com/iii/6-innovative-product-status-board-new/tabs/23-polaris
- Eleanor’s Leap Functionality Tracker (please vote for these ideas!): Tech Services in Leap: Function Tracker - Google Sheets
Barcode/prefix handling
- Discussion of consortium-wide policies forcing 14-digit barcodes for patrons and items, and workarounds using AutoHotkey-style macros to auto-send library prefixes (Mac equivalents also exist). Resource shared: https://www.autohotkey.com/
- Note that the browser-based interface limits full keyboard shortcut support, but some shortcuts exist (accessible via Help → Keyboard).
Leap vs. staff Client usage patterns
- Wide-ranging comparison of which tasks are done in Leap versus the legacy Client, particularly for Acquisitions and Cataloging. Common gaps cited: Rapid Receipt not yet available in Leap, difficulty linking unlinked invoice line items to POLIs, bulk item record additions, bulk bib control number edits, and record comparison being clunky in Leap.
- Several sites are Leap-only (limiting Client access to admins), others are still hybrid, and adoption levels vary significantly by institution.
- A related product-idea link was shared for adding free-text options in the Leap MARC editor: Free Text Option in Leap MARC Editor – Innovate with us
- A request to add Rapid Receipt to Leap, with a call to vote: Add Rapid Receipt to Leap – Innovate with us
- Feature request link for bulk/multiple item creation: https://portal.productboard.com/iii/6-innovative-product-status-board-new/c/1155-create-multiple-items-
Record set management pain points
- Frustration with record set management in Leap, including inability to select/delete multiple record sets at once from the Find tool, and errors during large bulk item deletions.
- A related product-idea link on clearer error indication in background processes: Clearer indication of errors in background processing – Innovate with us
Partial/split receiving in Acquisitions
- Extended discussion on how to receive partial shipments/quantities within a PO segment in Leap, with “Split Receive” identified as the solution.
- Documentation link shared: Manage Purchase Order Line Item Segments
- Also discussed: handling PO creation from record sets containing mixed collections/formats.
Cataloging in Leap
- Positive mentions of duplicate authority management and the compare function in Leap.
- Discussion of bulk authority record deletion practices in the Client vs. Leap.
Bulk change record set sizes
- Comparison of very large record set sizes participants have run bulk changes on (ranging from tens of thousands to 200,000+ records), with mention of Polaris’s recommended (but not enforced) 10,000-record limit per bulk change, and impacts like system crashes or slowdowns.
Holds fulfillment restrictions
- Question about restricting hold-filling by user or location (e.g., preventing new stock sent to branches from immediately filling holds), with some sites using a workaround such as a dedicated “Technical Services” branch or time-limited hold restrictions (e.g., 180 days) before bulk-processing.
Meeting logistics
- Interest expressed in continuing regular Tech Services/Leap discussion sessions going forward.