• Reference Services
• Sept. 07
• Issue: 215

Administrative Module Update – Patron’s Comments Sent to Library

In FirstSearch, a patron selects the Comments link as illustrated below.

The patron enters comments in the text box and selects the appropriate radio button to indicate their status.

Currently, the patron’s comment is sent to OCLC Customer Support. Now, this can be set up so that patrons’ messages entered via the Comments link, can instead be sent to a library staff person.

How it Works

After logging into the FirstSearch Administrative Module, click Authentication/Access>General and scroll to the Comments field (see below). Enter the email address for the person who will receive all FirstSearch patron comments. Only comments that are selfidentified as patron (not staff ) would be forwarded to this email address.

Click Save Changes button.

What it is

The email address entered in Authentication/Access>General Comments field will receive all patron comments which are now sent to OCLC Customer Support.

What it means for the User

This improves service to the library since any patron Comments are sent directly to the library versus OCLC Customer Support. Currently, if patron comments are sent to OCLC Customer Support, the patron is told to contact their reference librarian. By adding the direct Reference email, these patrons will be provided access to library help directly.

OCLC Reference and FirstSearch Contact Information

For more information about OCLC FirstSearch, please contact Nylink’s Joyce Rambo (ramboj@nylink.org) or Jennifer Hawkes (hawkesj@nylink.org).