Pika configuration for OPAC computers
This documentation describes how to configure Pika for use at public OPAC computers.
Table of Contents
Behavior for OPAC computer stations
There are two options in Pika that allow public computer stations within the library to behave as OPACs (Online Public Access Catalog). Typically, these options are enabled for shared public computers that are used exclusively for browsing the catalog.
Both the Branch URL Parameters and IP Address Detection options result in similar display and action functionality.
The stations are physically in the local library, so it’s preferable to display available, on-shelf items at the local location as It’s Here rather than On Shelf while patrons are browsing the catalog while physically in the library building.
User sessions should timeout and logout shortly after a patron is finished using the catalog computer. This prevents patrons from viewing account information for the account of a patron who logged in previously.
Branch URL Parameters
The library branch location code can be appended to the library system’s catalog URL to force the catalog to behave as that specific location for searching and availability display.
The URL syntax :
pika address/?branch=branch codeIn the example below, the URL with the branch parameter for Boulder Public Library’s Gunbarrel branch is https://boulder.marmot.org/?branch=bb
When patrons use the catalog from the URL with the branch parameter, catalog searches will give preference to the local items of the given branch and display locally available on-shelf holdings with an It’s Here tag rather than a more generic On Shelf tag.
OPAC mode when using Branch Parameters
To force automatic timeouts and logouts in the Branch Parameter configuration, the OPAC mode code can be added to the URL syntax :
pika address/?branch=branchcode&opac=trueThe OPAC mode functionality has several effects for the user experience.
Remember Me option
In OPAC mode, the Remember Me option is disabled in the login prompt.
opac=true : Remember Me option disabled
opac=false : Remember Me option enabled
Automatic timeout logged out
When the OPAC mode is enabled and a patron uses the catalog to browse titles but does not login, the session will timeout when left idle after the automatic timeout length threshold has been met and return to the catalog homepage.
Automatic timeout logged in
When the OPAC mode is enabled and a patron logs in to catalog, the session will timeout when left idle after the automatic timeout length threshold has been met. The logged in patron will see an option to continue their session and if they do not take an action when prompted, the session will automatically logout and return to the catalog homepage after 15 seconds.
The automatic timeout lengths are set in the library location configuration. Review the documentation here for more information about the settings for the automatic timeout lengths.
Disable OPAC mode setting for Branch Parameter configuration
You can disable OPAC mode by adding the OPAC mode to the URL syntax :
pika address/?branch=branchcode&opac=falseIP Address Detection
Pika will enable OPAC mode as described in the Branch URL Parameters section for IP addresses designated in the IP Addresses table. When a machine or device is connected to a network that is listed in the IP Addresses table, the catalog will treat users as if they are inside the physical branch for search displays and automatic timeouts (if enabled).
Marmot member libraries should keep Marmot staff informed of any network or IP changes for library networks that are not managed by Marmot in order for Marmot staff to keep the IP Addresses table updated appropriately.
Configuring the IP Address Table
Only Pika admins with the OPAC administrator role can access the IP Addresses table.
The Location IP Addresses Table will list all designated IP addresses for an entire global Pika site. Use the Search box at the top of the table to narrow results in the table for ease. Resort the table by the available columns if desired.
Adding or Editing an IP Address/Subnet
Use the Add New subnet button to add a new line to the table. Use the Edit action to edit an existing IP address.
The IP Address is a listing of individual or multiple addresses. The value /24 can be used to enter a range of IP addresses.
Add a meaningful and descriptive Label to match the library or branch. Marmot recommends indicating if the network is a staff or public network in the Label field.
The Location is a dropdown menu to choose the location that the display name will correspond to. The location/branch must exist before an IP address can correspond to it.
The Treat as a Public OPAC option is used to enable or disable the automatic timeout options. If the given IP is a known staff or wireless IP address this option can be disabled.
If a user connects to the wireless connection, the assumption is that they are using their own device and they can decide if they want to remember their credentials for login.
Staff settings when using IP Detection method
In some scenarios, all machines at a library branch use a range of IP address, where staff machines are connected to the same network as public use machines. In this scenario, staff machines will exhibit the same behavior as public OPAC machines, including logging the user out if their session goes idle.
Staff users can enable the Bypass Automatic Logout option in the Staff Settings section of the Account Settings to mitigate this issue.
All library staff members should have access to turn on the Bypass Automatic Logout preference. Contact Marmot if you do not see this preference in your Account Settings.
Testing IP Addresses
In some scenarios, admin users need to test configuration settings for local networks remotely.
The test IP code can be added to the URL syntax from any browser :
pika address/?test_ip=your IP addressWhen connecting to a branch using the test IP function, the browser will mimic the settings of a machine connected to the network being tested, including OPAC mode and search displays.
Disabling the test IP option
To clear the test IP and return to the generic view of the catalog, remove the IP address from the URL syntax and browse to the site :
pika address/?test_ip=Information in the footer for testing
All test sites are all configured to display useful debugging information in the footer.
When viewing a test site without a branch parameter URL or from an unknown IP address, the footer displays assumed information about the session e.g. the user is at home and viewing the scope for the given catalog.
When testing an IP using the test IP code in the URL, the information for the footer changes to reflect the IP being tested and the scope that the IP belongs to.
In the example below, testing from Bemis Public Library’s public network, the footer displays the IP being tested and the search scope.
This functionality works similarly when testing a branch parameter URL from a test site.
In the example below, testing from a user’s home network for the Boulder Public Library Gunbarrel branch, the footer displays the IP address from the user’s home and the specific branch scope.
Related Documentation
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Detailed Pika Administrator Roles (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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NoveList Information (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Masquerade Mode (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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HTML Text Editor (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Reporting Incorrect Cover Art or Descriptions in Pika (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Records Not to Merge / Manual Ungrouping (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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New York Times Bestsellers Lists (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Preferred Author Grouping (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Preferred Grouping Titles (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Search Scope Location Configuration (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Transferring User Lists (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Google Analytics Basic Instructions (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Pika configuration for OPAC computers (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Grouped Work Merging / Manual Grouping (Marmot Knowledge Base)
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Materials Request Admin Management (Marmot Knowledge Base)