This hands-on workshop introduces SQL concepts specifically tailored to the Leap/Polaris Find Tool, helping users move beyond canned reports and pre-built searches to create their own customized queries. Designed for staff who regularly work with Polaris data, this session demystifies SQL by connecting basic theory with real-world examples from the Polaris database.
Participants will learn how data is structured in Polaris, how SQL statements are built, and how to use them directly within the Find Tool. Through guided exercises and examples, attendees will practice writing and refining queries to identify records, uncover data patterns, and find potential data-cleanup opportunities. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a clearer understanding of SQL fundamentals and the confidence to use it effectively within Leap.
No prior experience with SQL is required - just familiarity with using Leap/Polaris for everyday tasks.
Note: This is an all-day, hands-on workshop, with a lunch break in the middle of the day. Attendees should bring a laptop that has access to Leap or Polaris Client.
Leverage SimplyReports and SQL to generate insightful reports, creating valuable opportunities to analyze and evaluate the data stored in your records.
Hey! Congratulations on your (possibly surprising) promotion! Whether you intentionally moved up to Polaris ILS administration or you were chosen because "you're good with computers," you may be just a little overwhelmed when you first log in and need to dig through SA to find out how to do something. I mean, first thing's first, what's SA? But it's okay! You are among friends and, you know what? We were all new to this at one point. So are you a newbie in the world of Polaris? Great! Bring your questions and your commiserations and we'll do our best to provide answers and tactics to make your Polaris workday a little bit easier. Or, if you're an experienced Polaris admin, bring your knowledge and wisdom! After all, we're librarians. Answering questions is kind of our thing.
Join Dena Porter, SHARE Administrative Services Manager, as she demystifies Polaris permissions within North America's largest automated library consortium. Discover how SHARE developed and maintains 1,400 permission groups to manage cataloging and circulation across its member libraries effectively. Attendees will learn how SHARE created distinct permission groups for schools and public libraries to protect patron privacy and ensure data security, as well as how cataloging permissions are structured according to staff training levels. Gain practical insights and proven strategies to streamline permission management and strengthen system governance within your own organization.
One of the most exciting parts of the Polaris version 7.8 update was the introduction of the bulk patron import process. This in depth panel discussion features the shared experience of three libraries who have utilized bulk imports for projects with student/school library cards. Topics which will be covered include:
Getting started & first steps Data & spreadsheet preparation The patron upload process in Leap Post-upload upkeep
The collected panelist experience includes a wide breadth of applications from small to large patron imports, varying significantly based on school partners and legislative needs. If you are considering using the bulk upload process at all, bring your questions for this interactive panel! Panelists: Nathaniel Burnard - Systems Services Manager, Allen County Public Library (IN) --Nathaniel Burnard currently serves as the Systems Services Manager at the Allen County Public Library, where he leads in ILS administration, circulation, and internal customer service processes. Nathaniel has nearly 25 years of experience in public libraries in administration, management, and youth services. Talia Hofacker - Technology Librarian, Aurora Public Library (CO). --Talia Hofacker (she/her) began her career as an Adult Services Librarian with a special interest in library technology. After working in adult services for 8 years, Talia was able to take that experience and transition into ILS and library technology management with the Aurora Public Library, where she has worked for the last 3 years. There she managed their Sierra system and migrated to Polaris in May 2025. Beth Lane - Systems & Technology Librarian II, Placer County Library (CA) --Beth Lane , MLIS, has over 13 years of experience as a public service librarian. For the past five years, she has administered Polaris, led large technology projects, redesigned the library website, and managed the library's social media. She values the IUG community for its guidance and collaboration, which helps her improve systems and services for patrons.
This session will showcase useful features that can enhance your daily technical services workflows. We’ll explore Leap’s toolkit for acquisitions, cataloging, and serials.
Don't know how to do something in Polaris or wondering how the system can accomplish what you want to do? This forum is a chance for Polaris libraries to ask questions of and provide answers to other Polaris libraries.
Head of the IT department at Wichita Public providing strategic planning and daily maintenance for staff and customers. My team deals with all things related to Polaris. My team also provides one-on-one customer technology training, teach a wide variety of technology classes and programs... Read More →
Our presentation details a novel approach to inventory in Polaris, conceived as one of multiple interdepartmental programs to clean up pre-2020 cataloging malpractice and procedure. This method utilizes the built-in Weeding Workflows as a figurative 'lens' by which to measure item-record and broader bibliographic record-level accuracy in physical holdings (in addition to normal conditional checks). As opposed to the typical snapshot model of inventory, this method manifests a recombinant teleological and modular process; reporting and data accrual being continual over periodic in output, as attempts with the former model highlighted prohibitive logistical challenges for larger libraries. Our presentation details initial set up of a core of filter-less weeding templates varying in complexity, from which roving staff select their target collection for inventory; we then detail staff inventory workflow, from initial weeding record set generation to an item-level export/import 'stamping', followed by second and third passes through a given collection, concluding with time for comments/questions/suggestions. Some beginner Find Tool SQL and CCL are present throughout, and live demonstration will be given of the process to demonstrate how quickly staff can work through a given collection.
Creating and automating reports is an effective way to gather data, distribute weeding lists, and any other task that you may find yourself performing regularly. Go beyond basic scheduled reports in SimplyReports and take them to the next level with Excel. In this session I'll show you: 1) How I've taken advantage of advanced publishing to schedule weeding lists for branches 2) How to work with regularly scheduled reports in Excel 3) Tools I've created using a combination of scheduled reports and Excel 4) Examples of formulas I use to help manage our collections.
During this session, participants will receive an overview of the Polaris web-based System Administration environment, with a focus on user administration, settings and table configuration, and new API management functionality.
The direct sequel to Polaris SQL for the Absolute Beginner (IUG 2023) , this presentation builds upon the foundations and covers more advanced (and sometimes scary) topics like updates, deletes, the different types of joins, and more. We'll also cover some best practices and strategies for managing complex queries.
PIAC (Polaris ILS Advisory Committee) is a group of individuals who help facilitate issues between Polaris libraries and Clarivate. Come learn more about us: what PIAC does, who we are, why we exist and more!
The entirety of Polaris operates on sprocs, which is short for stored procedures. Almost anything you do in Leap or the Staff Client will trigger one or more stored procedures to update the database and present data in some way. But the thing is, those sprocs aren't just for Polaris, they're there for you too! If you've ever been curious about what's really going on in the Polaris database and how it functions, we'll pop the hood and (safely) take a look at some of the thousands of stored procedures you'll find there. We'll take a look at what they do and how they're built. But more importantly, we'll look at how to build your own stored procedures and how that can help make your library life that much easier! This is an intermediate level talk and all are welcome to attend. However, it will be helpful if you have a familiarity with T-SQL and the basic structure of the Polaris database.
Over the past several years, our consortium has focused on making our shared system more consistent and easy to manage. By aligning settings and simplifying configuration across member libraries, we've reduced complexity, improved data quality, and made the system more intuitive for both staff and patrons. Areas of focus were: Reducing and standardizing collection codes Establishing standard loan periods Moving to automatic renewals consortium-wide Implementing a two-month or less embargo period for new items Reducing patron codes and expanding use of statistical class codes Consolidating fine codes for libraries still using them We'll discuss how these changes were proposed, evaluated, and implemented across diverse member libraries, along with the challenges, lessons learned, and benefits realized. Attendees will gain insights into how standardization can enhance efficiency, improve reporting, and deliver a more consistent patron experience.
The Leap Find Tool is incredibly powerful and very flexible. Utilizing it correctly can replace many situations where you might have needed a report in the past. However, staff can fall into the habit of avoiding the Find Tool because they feel it takes too long to use, or because the information returned isn't refined enough for them. Come learn how to customize the various searches possible, view some possible use cases, and see how you can start maximizing the Find Tool's potential! This presentation will cover saving searches, utilizing excluding/including display columns, and what settings work best for commons searches. We will touch on the three types of searches available and how to choose the best type for your needs. Examples showing how to use Find Tool searches instead of reports will be included. There will be time for questions at the end.
Are you a Polaris Administrator? Do you have questions? Well, so do we. But we might also have the answers you're looking for! Bring your questions, your knowledge, your experiences, and your expertise to the Polaris System Administration Forum. It doesn't matter if you're a longtime Polaris user or you suddenly found yourself sitting in front of SA a couple of weeks ago. (Congratulations on that promotion, by the way!) We're fun, we're friendly, and we're here to help!
