The Aspen 26.03 release is live. This release includes the following features and fixes.
New Features
Picture book format
The web catalog and app will now display a Picture Book format. This format will appear in search results and it will be a filter option in the Format filter. The Board Book format will be priortized over Picture Book.
Locked filters
You can now lock your filters in the catalog. This can allow you to save filters across searches. For example, you could lock filters for "Book", "Juvenile", and "Available Now At..." to only search children's books on shelf across several different keyword searches.
This functionality was previously available, but there were issues clearing out locked filters, especially if a search returned no results. Those issues have been resolved, and the overall process of applying and removing filters has been improved. Especially of note is the Clear All button that will clear out both locked and unlocked filters from a search.
Email notifications for saved searches
If patrons save a search, they will now automatically receive email notifications when a new title is added to the search. This is a great way for patrons to receive notices when new titles are available from a favorite author, series, etc. Patrons already receive push notifications for saved searches in the app, if they opt in to notifications.
Instructions about saved searches, and opting out of emails, is available on our website.
Bill reason descriptions
Bill reasons in the catalog previously showed the Symphony code (e.g. ADMINFEE) and it will now display the translation (e.g. Administration fee).
Improvement for holds logic
Every so often, patrons get a hold error message because a record with all on order copies floats above a record with all checked out copies. Improved holds logic will prevent this scenario, ensuring patrons can place holds.
Fixes
- The app includes several updates to fix color contrast issues for accessibility
- Screenreaders will now skip over bookcover images
- Issues with batch canceling holds are fixed
- Placing a hold on records with volumes (such as magazines) will now only prompt for volumes from the active record, instead of all volumes for the grouped work