The Aspen 22.04 release is now live. Highlights include:
- Hoopla settings to exclude Hoopla records with copies from other eContent Vendors
- LibCal integration
- Updates to the "bad words list" that can exclude staff comments in lists
- Bug fix for drag-and-drop list ordering issues
In addition, this release includes several administrative enhancements to help SWAN staff better manage Aspen, including better scheduling for the Accelerated Reader indexes and a fix for a sideloads permissions bug.
Hoopla scoping settings
For a while, Aspen has offered a feature to exclude Hoopla records with copies from other eContent Vendors (OverDrive, cloudLibrary, Axis 360, etc).This can help libraries save money due to the Hoopla pay-per-use model.
This previously didn't work well for consortia -- it would have been a setting that applies to all libraries. Now, we have the ability to scope this setting on a per-library basis. If your library would like to enable this setting, put in a ticket at help@swanlibraries.net.
LibCal integration
LibCal events integration is now available for the Aspen catalog. It will allow patrons to search and bring up results for your library's programs and events in Aspen.
SWAN staff are testing this integration, and we will communicate when your library can start requesting events integration for your library catalog. Events integration is also available for Library Market users. If you use an events platform other than LibCal or Library Market (e.g. Evanced), please note that events integration is not available for any other platform at this time.
"Bad Words" list
Aspen includes a "bad words" list designed to prevent offensive words from appearing in the catalog, especially for libraries that have commenting features enabled. SWAN does not currently allow patron comments in the catalog, based on feedback from both DUX and the Aspen pilot libraries, so this feature has mainly affected staff-created lists:
- Hiding notes and list descriptions that contain any words in the bad words list
- Replacing words in the title of the list with asterisks (***)
Since we don't use patron comments, SWAN will remove the bad words list, so staff won't encounter blocked words.
