For WVLS Library Staff
Library Staff Resources
This portal is the home for WVLS member libraries—quick access to service areas, procedures, training, consortium information, and staff-only documents. Use the menu at left to jump to a category, or start with the most common tasks below.
Library Administration
Resources to support WVLS public library administration including budget, building, technology, public library trustees, and more.
Library Services
Resources to support WVLS public library services including adult, children, and teen programming, local history, inclusive services, workforce development, and more.
Training
Resources for continuing education and general library staff training.
V-CAT 🔒
Overview of the consortium, strategic plan, board info, contacts, plus a staff-only area for minutes, documents, and trainings.
More common links
Upcoming staff events
Perhaps replace this block with an embedded calendar module or a “next 5 events” list.
- Mar 5 – Director Roundtable (staff-only)
- Mar 12 – Youth Services Meetup
- Mar 19 – Tech Office Hours (staff-only)
Locked: Some event details require login.
Communication Tools
Help Desk
Helpdesk - help@librarieswin.org
What is help@librarieswin.org?
help@librarieswin.org is your contact for the WVLS technology helpdesk, also known as “Help Scout” to the WVLS staff who monitor it.
Help Scout is a shared inbox where, with one email, you have the eyes of multiple WVLS and LEANWI system staff who are ready and waiting to take on your problems.
What should I use help@librarieswin.org for?
Use to request assistance/troubleshooting with the following topics:
ILS (Sierra): Cataloging, Aspen/online catalog, loan rules, location codes, notices, paging
Technology: Computers, Email, Printers, Internet/wi-fi, Microsoft Windows, DeepFreeze, Pharos, Princh
Collections/Databases: Overdrive/Libby, BadgerLink, Ancestry
Wiscat/ILL
Adding/removing emails from WVLS email lists
Sign up for Makerspace kit booking or request additions to the kit collection (use Lend-Items to reserve kits)
What should I include in my helpdesk ticket?
Please include as much detail as possible about your problem.
Technology: specific computer name, printer name, user name.
Sierra: specific Sierra staff login, patron/item/bib record number.
Specific circumstances when the problem happens, how long it has been happening, who it is affecting.
What you have tried to do to fix it.
Whether you have tried shutting down the program/computer/printer and restarting it.
Other Questions
Annual Report questions
Annual report: annual.report@wvls.org
Courier and delivery
Courier and delivery: courier@wvls.org
Website questions
Websites: websitehelp@librarieswin.org
Who should I contact for other questions?
WVLS system staff are ready to help with your library-related questions.
See https://www.wvls.org/contact-hours/ for individual areas of focus.
- Advocacy/government relations/legislation: Kris Adams-Wendt – kawendt@wvls.org
- CE/Certification/Professional Development/Mentorship: Jamie Matczak – jmatczak@wvls.org
- Data/infographics/needs assessment/planning: Erica Brewster – ebrewster@wvls.org
- Digitization: Emily Rogers – erogers@wvls.org
- Inclusive Services: Emily Rogers – erogers@wvls.org
- Policy/legal/library trustees/budget/funding: Marla Sepnafski – msepnafski@wvls.org
- Programming (adult, teen, children)/public library services: Emily Rogers – erogers@wvls.org
Email Lists
WVLS Email Lists
What email groups should I sign up for?
WVLS supports email lists that may interest staff. To be added to a list, email help@librarieswin.org and indicate which list(s) you are interested in. Some lists are more active than others.
Digitization
Email discussion list for those active in digitization and historic preservation activities.
digitization@librarieswin.org
Inter-Library Loan Users
Email discussion list for those who manage interlibrary loan through Wiscat.
wvls.ill@wvls.org
K-12 Librarians
Email list for librarians in school libraries in the WVLS system area.
wvls.k12@wvls.org
Lend Items Group
List for librarians requesting kits through Lend Items. NOTE: because this list includes staff from other LEANWI partner library systems and external library partners, inclusion in this list alone does not register a user for the WVLS All list.
lend-items@librarieswin.org
Public Library Adult Services
List for librarians providing adult services and programming.
pladult@wvls.org
Public Library Directors
Email list for directors of WVLS public libraries.
wvls.pldirs@wvls.org
Public Library Youth Services
List for librarians providing services and programming to babies, children, pre-teens, and young adults.
wvls.plyouth@wvls.org
Technology
List for library staff who perform technology support (formally or informally) at their library.
wvls.technology@wvls.org
V-Cat Catalogers
List for library staff who perform cataloging at their library.
wvls.vcat.catalogers@wvls.org
V-Cat Users
List for library staff who use Sierra.
wvls.vcat@wvls.org
Website Services
List for library staff who manage their library website. NOTE: because this list includes staff from other LEANWI partner library systems, inclusion in this list alone does not register a user for the WVLS All list.
webservices@librarieswin.org
WVLS Collection Development
List for library staff who purchase, weed, or otherwise manage collections at their library.
collection.develompent@wvls.org
WVLS All
Group of all WVLS email lists – used to broadcast information of wide interest, such as Monday Mentions or internet security concerns. If you are on any other WVLS email list (other than Website Services) you are included in WVLS All.
wvls.all@wvls.org
WVLS News
- Monday Mentions: Includes WVLS news, state news, continuing education, grant opportunities, meeting reminders, and more. (Mondays at 12 p.m.)
- Digital Lites Blog: Includes WVLS updates, job opportunities at WVLS, system highlights, and resources. (Two to Four Per Month)
- Newsletter: Includes national library events, WVLS news and services, and member library spotlights. (First week of Each Month)
- Public Library Services Updates: Includes resources and updates in the areas of youth services, adult services, workforce development and more. (Second Tuesday of Each Month)
Email Guidelines
- Information: This subject heading signifies that the information in the email is informational. No response is needed, or an action does not need to be taken. This is similar to an “FYI.”
- Response Requested: This subject heading signifies that the information in the email requires a response. This could be a yes/no response, a survey, etc.
- Reminder: This subject heading signifies that the information in the email serves as a reminder of an upcoming task or event.
- Urgent: This subject heading will be used sparingly and only in the case of a major disruption to WVLS or library services.
Answers to Common Questions
WVLS Libraries - Common Questions Answered
Find answers to common questions for WVLS libraries.
Help! Sierra won't launch!
You turn on your computer, double click on the “Sierra” icon, the cursor spins once, you wait…and nothing happens.
Or, you scan a book with a hold and everything seems fine but the transit slip won’t print. Or other strangeness.
90% of the time this can be fixed by clearing the jarcache.
See instructions here: JarCache Error Instructions.pdf
Help! My Computer is acting up.
Something just seems “off” – computer feels glitchy, slow, or otherwise just not “right.” Try these things:
Restart Your Computer
Especially if it hasn’t been restarted for a while. We all benefit from the occasional reset and reboot.
Check for Driver Updates
Run Command Update and/or SupportAssist on your Dell computer. See “Care and Maintenance of your (Dell) Computers,” Driver Updates for instructions.
This is especially true if you’re noticing things like screen flashing or freezing or computer “revving” or sounding like it’s working too hard too much of the time.
Check for Windows Updates
Especially for staff computers that don’t have Deep Freeze to cue them to update specifically on Wednesday nights. Note: it does help to leave staff computers on on Wednesday nights the same way you should be leaving public PCs on as it give the computer some “outside of work hours” to download and install updates.
See “Care and Maintenance of your (Dell) Computers,” Windows Updates for instructions.
Check for Malware, especially WAVE Browser
See “Care and Maintenance of your (Dell) Computers,” ACTION: remove Wave Browser Malware for details.
Reporting library staffing changes
Help keep our databases up-to-date and our services secure by promptly informing WVLS of all staffing changes, including:
- New hires
- Employees changing job roles and needing changes to their email/ILS access
- Departing employees
This information will be used by WLVS Technology and ILS staff to:
- Create, change, retire email accounts and passwords.
- Create, change, and update permissions and passwords for ILS (Sierra).
- Update WVLS-hosted email lists (WVLS Communications).
Purchasing new computers for a library
Staff and public use computers procured through the WVLS procurement process assure proper hardware and operating system requirements and 5-year warranty support.
Note: deadline for to place request for billing in the calendar fiscal year is November 30.
Computers procured through 3rd party sources may not be able to be supported by LEANWI technology staff.
- Both staff and public use computers should be replaced after 5 years of service (exception: PCs used for online public catalog access only)
- Windows 11 operating system will be required for all staff and public use PCs after October, 2025.
- Contact help@librarieswin.org if the standard configurations available through the procurement form don’t meet your library’s needs or expectations.
Purchasing new printers for a library
Office, Multi-function/All-in-one Printers
LEANWI does not directly support purchase/installation of standard office printers. We highly suggest you work with your local business technology supplier (e.g., EO Johnson Business Technologies, Bauernfeind Business Technologies, Clermont Printing & Office) to purchase or lease an office printer that meets your library’s needs.
Requirements:
- Printer must have a PostScript driver option in order to print from Sierra.
Our preference is for your printer supplier to identify the best printer driver and do an initial install of that driver on your computers. LEANWI will support adding drivers to new, system-procured computers.
Advanced options (e.g., print release codes) must be set up and maintained by your local business technology supplier.
If you choose to direct purchase a printer without going through a local business technology supplier, be prepared to assess whether that printer is compatible with Sierra, self-manage any warranty or service needs, and perform the initial installation and set-up. LEANWI technical staff are limited to supporting installation of printer drivers.
Receipt and Label Printers
WVLS supports receipt printers and label printers through bulk orders. Current models:
- Receipt printer: Star Micronics TSP100
- Label Printer: Zebra ZD220t
To purchase a receipt or label printer, submit your procurement request through the technology procurement form:
Note: deadline for to place request for billing in the calendar fiscal year is November 30.
If you choose to direct purchase a printer without going through WVLS technology procurement, note the following requirements and/or recommendations:
- Both receipt printers and label printers need drivers that are capable of working with Sierra’s Print Templates.
- Thermal transfer technology generally assures labels that last longer and are more fade resistant than “direct thermal.”
- LEANWI tech support is limited to models available for purchase through WVLS. If you have specific label or receipt printing needs that requires a different model of printer, our ability to provide technical support will be limited.
- Recommend purchasing any technology through a business technology-specific service to assure support and return/replacement options.
Contact help@librarieswin.org with any questions.
Helpdesk - help@librarieswin.org
What is help@librarieswin.org?
help@librarieswin.org is your contact for the WVLS technology helpdesk, also known as “Help Scout” to the WVLS staff who monitor it.
Help Scout is a shared inbox where, with one email, you have the eyes of multiple WVLS and LEANWI system staff who are ready and waiting to take on your problems.
What should I use help@librarieswin.org for?
Use to request assistance/troubleshooting with the following topics:
ILS (Sierra): Cataloging, Aspen/online catalog, loan rules, location codes, notices, paging
Technology: Computers, Email, Printers, Internet/wi-fi, Microsoft Windows, DeepFreeze, Pharos, Princh
Collections/Databases: Overdrive/Libby, BadgerLink, Ancestry
Wiscat/ILL
Adding/removing emails from WVLS email lists
Sign up for Makerspace kit booking or request additions to the kit collection (use Lend-Items to reserve kits)
What should I include in my helpdesk ticket?
Please include as much detail as possible about your problem.
Technology: specific computer name, printer name, user name.
Sierra: specific Sierra staff login, patron/item/bib record number.
Specific circumstances when the problem happens, how long it has been happening, who it is affecting.
What you have tried to do to fix it.
Whether you have tried shutting down the program/computer/printer and restarting it.