Sagebrush Corp. has announced
the release of Athena v8.1, the newest update of its library automation
program. According to the announcement, Athena v8.1 is a 32-bit application
that provides additional features, better performance, and greater flexibility.
In addition, Sagebrush is releasing Athena Webserver v3.1 as well as updates
to several other Sagebrush add-on products.
Athena v8.1 Athena’s new and enhanced features allow users to do the following:
Print patron summaries—When checking out items, librarians can print a
circulation summary for the current patron. The summary includes library
name, the patron’s name or ID, information about items on loan, and information
about current and estimated fines.
Use a Slip printer—Users can print patron summaries on small, cash register-type
slips.
Identify patrons with items on hold—Whenever a patron with an item on hold
checks out materials or is identified for any other circulation desk task,
Athena will display a dialogue box reminding the librarian that there are
items on hold for this patron.
Display an item’s status—Athena lists all copies and displays the status
of each.
Enter patron e-mail addresses—Users can now store patron e-mail addresses
in Athena.
Capture pictures for Visual Search—Users can add images captured from the
Web or other graphic sources to the Visual Search screen.
Rank search results—Athena will list items in the search results according
to their relevance. Users can also configure Athena to use a thermometer
icon to show item relevancy.
Include icons in the search results—Athena can use a specific icon to identify
the format or the call number of each title in the search results.
Back up files—Users can back up to devices other than floppy drives, including
Zip and network drives.
Integrate Athena zMARC—Z39.50 client features can now be fully integrated
into Athena.
“This extensive update builds on Athena’s strengths while providing additional
solutions our customers have requested,” said Mark Hammer, vice president
of marketing at Sagebrush. “Athena is as easy to use as ever and now gives
the librarian the ability to print patron summaries, store patron e-mail
addresses, and import images for Visual Search buttons. Other capabilities,
like the integrated Z39.50 search interface, ranking of search results
by relevance, and customizable icons for search results continue Athena’s
tradition of intuitive yet powerful searching.”
Webserver v3.1 This software makes a library’s entire collection available online
and now offers enhancements that allow users to do the following:
Access patron information—Patrons can display their personal information
such as outstanding fine balances, items on loan, and more.
Include icons in the search results—If your library has configured Athena
to display icons depicting item format or call number prefix, Athena Webserver
v3.1 will use the same icons.
Rank search results—Athena Webserver v3.1 can now rank items in the search
results according to their relevance.
Request reserves and interlibrary loans—This allows patrons to request
reserves on items in their home library. It also allows patrons and librarians
to request interlibrary loans from other libraries.
Add-on Improvements Sagebrush has also unveiled the following add-on enhancements:
Athena WebLink—Helps users access Web sites and electronic files, and provides
a Reference Search feature that allows a search of the library to be carried
over to a search of many predetermined online resources
Athena zMARC—Z39.50 technology allows a librarian to access MARC records
from hundreds of libraries worldwide. This functionality can be fully integrated
into Athena.
Athena Español and Athena Français—Spanish and French interfaces
for Athena search stations
Patron Porter (formerly BCON)—Software used for converting patron data
for use in Athena
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