IUG 2026 Annual Conference

This session will explore ways to use modern LLM (AI) chat systems to create and check your SQL code. Although the examples in the program will be based off coding for the Polaris SQL server, the major concepts will be applicable to any coding platform or project.

In 2017 & 2018 Gem Stone-Logan originally presented Automating Reports with Python , aiming to teach Python in under an hour to attendees with no prior programming experience. That presentation has continued to be cited regularly by members throughout IUG and is directly responsible for my present career. The original presentation focused on crafting a single script capable of conducting a query, placing the results into a formatted Excel file, and emailing that file out as an attachment. In this session we will take the structure of that script and illustrate how its modular nature can be adjusted in order to accomplish a wide variety of tasks with little required in the way of additional experience. It is highly recommended that attendees familiarize themselves with the original presentation in advance, but it is not required.

Anyone who writes SQL for their library system will eventually be tasked with producing a report which challenges not only their SQL chops but also their organizational skills, mental health and possibly the timeout limit of the database as well. Using some real-life query examples from this behemoth , we'll review different techniques and considerations when undertaking such a project. While the SQL syntax and database tables in the examples will be particular to Sierra, the concepts of CTEs, window functions, temp tables, indexes, set operations, research and the Divide-and-Conquer approach are common to both ILSes; Polaris users are encouraged to attend and participate. Due to the limitations of a one hour session, all attendees are encouraged to review portions of the aforementioned behemoth in advance of the presentation to form questions.

AI is everywhere and the use in products is rapidly on the rise. When can AI make a difference? How best should it be used? Is it taking over or helping out?

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.

Sierra users, do you want to conduct an inventory without buying Circa or FTPing files? The Lakeland Library Cooperative developed a novel way to use the COUNT USE-COPY USE function for an easy-peasy inventory process that can be done in three steps and is scalable for either single locations or consortia (we have 42 members). Ann will share how the project came to be, how we trained our members for this project, lessons learned, and will share our documentation and training videos. Ann will also talk about other clean-up projects we've developed along the way and how you can use them in your library, too, for a cleaner and more usable ILS.

When OCLC is all you've ever known for cataloging, how do you transition an entire consortium to a different cataloging utility? And then, when that transition includes BTCat, how do you transition from BTCat to another option without having to go back to OCLC? This is what our consortium has done in the last year, and I'm sure other poeple have too. I'd like to moderate a forum where people can talk about their experiences with non-OCLC cataloging utilities, discuss options, and maybe mourn the loss of BTCat as well. Since ILLs are a huge part of why people stay with OCLC, discussion will also touch on what to do about ILLs, and how to message all of it to customers.

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.