INN-Reach Modernization Project Update for SWIFT Libraries

Earlier this summer, I shared information about the INN-Reach modernization project, which will require SWIFT libraries that currently use the Millennium RSB client to transition to  the Sierra Web interface to process Prospector materials. We initially expected this transition to happen this summer, but the project has been pushed back to November 11-12, 2024. Please mark your calendars with these important dates:

• Prospector for downtime for RSB libraries ONLY: mid-day November 11, 2024 until mid-day November 12, 2024. During this time, SWIFT libraries that use the RSB will not be able to place new requests, or access the Millennium RSB client. When SWIFT libraries resume activity on the 12th, it will be in the Sierra Web interface, rather than the Millennium RSB client.

Note: If your library uses direct integration with Koha (AspenCat), Polaris, or Sierra (Marmot), you will NOT BE affected by the downtime, and you will not have any changes to how you process Prospector materials in your local system.

More about Sierra Web

Sierra Web can be accessed via any web browser on a computer that meets the network requirements (see below), you will continue to use your existing logins, and the workflows for borrowing and lending are nearly identical to what you currently do in the Millennium RSB client. We’ve created some draft documentation to illustrate how this will look in Sierra Web for you to review in advance:

DRAFT: SWIFT-Prospector Lending Guide (Sierra Web)

DRAFT: SWIFT-Prospector Borrowing Guide (Sierra Web)

Network Requirements

In terms of access to Sierra Web, the same network requirements will apply – even though you will no longer need to have specific software installed on workstations used to process Prospector materials, you will still need to be on a computer that is coming from the IP address that we have registered in our firewall. Libraries that use a firewall will need to configure an additional port (63100), to allow traffic to come in and go out. 

Next steps

We will be sharing more details, including dates for a “preview” period, when we will be able to test network access to Sierra Web, so be sure to watch for that.  To stay in the loop, ensure that relevant staff are subscribed to the SWIFT Listserv. To subscribe, or update your subscription preferences, visit https://www.cvl-lists.org/mailman3/postorius/lists/swift.cvl-lists.org/. If you have any questions about if or how the INN-Reach Modernization Project will affect your library, please reach out to us at swift-support@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.