CGM? All about Computer Generated Mediums

Have you ever spotted "CGM / Computer Generated Medium" as the Serve Type on a patron's Profile?

This Serve Type was designed to make life easier - when adding a Serial subscription, instead of stopping you in your tracks with an error message, KLAS just automatically adds the media to the profile. The CGM serve type both informs you of where the medium came from (automatic addition by KLAS) and ensures that the patron doesn't start getting additional items (it is not served by Nightly, but will allow the Serials to go out).

Similarly, this can also make your BARD Load a little easier. To create the electronic circulation records for patrons, KLAS requires them to be active in the media downloaded. If CGM is allowed, the BARD Load program can just create the medium if needed.

However, we know that some libraries may not want things to happen this way. Getting an error message when you add a subscription can prompt you to set up the media using a more informative "Only Magazine" on demand serve type, and getting an error from the BARD Load process could prompt you to check the patron's record and uncover other things that should be addressed.

There are two settings that control whether or not Computer Generated Media can be created, plus the option to create an RSQueue Reason for patrons with a CGM on their profile overnight.

One: Create CGM
To allow or disallow CGM to be created when adding a Serial subscription, set the toggle in: Control Maintenance - k7-PS 034 CreateCGM. This will apply to all media.

Two: BARDLoad Cross Reference
Under the BARDLoad xRef, there is a node for NonSubsMediaToLoad. The description indicates you should list the media it is okay to load (if the create CGM is okay with the library). However, the description is a little misleading--this setting does not check the Create CGM setting.

The default is set to asterisk - so all media are being added. If you want to change this, either change the asterisk to list only the media that are okay. If you do not want CGM created for any medium, delete the asterisk and save the blank record.

Create RSQueue Reason
If you want CGM to be created, but also to ensure that they will be reviewed, you can have KLAS add them to your RA's RSQueues. List the media you want to generate reasons for in: Control Maintenance - k7-PS 042 CGMRsReasonMedia