Permissions guidelines

Summary: Information about what kinds of Sierra permissions exist, how they are assigned, and who to contact with requests or questions.

1. Only the Head of Catalog Services can have access to SQL due to patron privacy concerns.
2. Group logins will no longer be created.
3. Student supervisors should inform the Head of Catalog Services when students leave the library so their logins can be discontinued.
4. Permission to create, edit, or delete records one at a time can be given to anyone who fits the overall guideline.
5. Permission to batch create, edit, or delete records will be given only to a few who have proven they understand the content of record fields and the policies governing those fields, as well as the consequences of making changes on accurate report generation or record maintenance.  Supervisor approval is required.
6. A supervisor can request a temporary permission be granted for staff.
7. Supervisors can be more liberal in their approval if the process does not require “tweaking” of established templates, or load tables or if granting permission only affects uncataloged records.
8. Requests for permissions should be sent to: 1) one’s supervisor and 2) the Head of Catalog Services.  If there is still uncertainty, forward to the AD for Technical Services or the AD for Public Services, as appropriate, for a decision.

Key Sierra permissions that may impact the catalog database or patron privacy, and may require authorization to add: 

1. Add/update and delete individual records of all types and files
2. Update individual records of all types or files
3. Transfer/link attached records of all types (incl. cross accounting unit)
4. Record link maintenance function
5. Batch delete records of all types
6. Batch update records of all types (global and rapid update records)
7. Batch load records to the system
8. Add/modify/delete record templates
9. Add/modify/delete print templates
10. Process PC transactions
11. Serials check-in/claim
12. Order/financial functions, related to invoice/pay files/fiscal close
13. Fund/vendor/routing file maintenance.
14. Modify URL block table
15. View/create/clear heading reports
16. ERM coverage load and maintenance
17. All circulation functions that allow checkout/checkin materials
18. Patron related functions that enable access to patron records.
19. Circulation functions that enable access to fines and patron circulation history
20. Circulation functions that enable altering patron circulation status
21. Circulation functions that allow update to circulation parameters 

For questions about which staff have certain permissions, please consult the Head of Catalog Services.