Configuring Workstation Settings

Overview

Workstation settings in Evergreen allow you to customize how the staff client behaves on your specific computer and browser. These settings affect search defaults, audio alerts, and display preferences.

Workstation settings are saved locally to your browser through cookies and workstation combination. Different workstations can have different settings, even when using the same login credentials.
If you clear your browser cookies, all of your workstation settings can be lost. Please mindful that cookies are not selected when clearing your browser cache.

Accessing Workstation Settings

To access workstation configuration options:

  1. Log in to the Evergreen staff client

  2. Navigate to Administration → Workstation

  3. The Workstation Settings page displays all available configuration options

workstation settings menu
Figure 1. Workstation Administration Menu

Setting Search Defaults

Search defaults determine which libraries and search interfaces appear by default when you use Evergreen’s search functions. These settings save time by pre-selecting your most commonly used options.

workstation search settings
Figure 2. Workstation Search Settings

Default Search Library

The Default Search Library determines which library or library system is searched by default from the Advanced Search screen and portal page.

To set your default search library:

  1. In Workstation Settings, locate the Default Search Library dropdown

  2. Select your preferred default:

    • CONS - Search the entire Bibliomation consortium

    • Your library system - Search only your library system (applicable to librarys with multiple branches)

    • Your specific branch - Search only your library or branch if in a library system

  3. The setting saves automatically when you make a selection

Set your default to the broadest level you typically search. You can always narrow the search scope for individual searches. For example, if you usually search the entire consortium but occasionally limit to your library, set the default to CONS.

This setting also affects cataloging functions. Catalogers should consider their workflow when choosing a default.

Preferred Library

The Preferred Library setting controls which library’s holdings display first in search results, regardless of the search scope.

To set your preferred library:

  1. Locate the Preferred Library dropdown in Workstation Settings

  2. Select your library from the list

  3. The setting saves automatically

Table 1. Effect of Preferred Library Setting
Setting Result

Your home library

Your library’s copies appear first in search results, making it easier to see local availability

Another library

That library’s copies appear first (useful for reciprocal borrowing arrangements)

Consortium level

No preference; copies display in the default order

Advanced Search Default Pane

Advanced Search includes multiple search interfaces. You can choose which one loads by default:

  1. Find the Advanced Search Default Pane dropdown

  2. Select your preferred default:

    • Keyword - Standard keyword search (most common)

    • Numeric - For barcode, ISBN, and other numeric searches

    • MARC Expert - For searching MARC fields directly

  3. The setting saves automatically

This only affects which tab is active when you first open Advanced Search. All search types remain available via tabs.

Configuring Sound Alerts

Evergreen can play sound alerts for various events like successful checkouts, holds captures, and errors. You can test these sounds and disable them if desired.

Testing Sounds

To test the different sound alerts:

  1. In Workstation Settings, locate the Sounds section

  2. Click the Test button next to each sound type:

    • Success - Plays for successful operations

    • Info - Plays for informational messages

    • Warning - Plays for warnings

    • Error - Plays for error conditions

  3. Adjust your computer’s volume as needed

sound test controls
Figure 3. Sound Test Controls

Disabling Sounds

To turn off all sound alerts:

  1. Check the box labeled Disable Sounds?

  2. The setting saves automatically

  3. All audio alerts will be suppressed until you uncheck this box

If sounds are disruptive in your work environment but you still want notifications, consider using visual alerts only by disabling sounds.

Display Preferences

Showing Full Library Names

By default, Evergreen displays library codes (shortcodes) in dropdown menus. You can change this to show full library names for better clarity.

To enable full library names:

  1. In Workstation Settings, locate the display preferences section

  2. Check Library Selector Shows Combined Names?

  3. The change takes effect immediately for new windows

Table 2. Library Name Display Comparison
Setting Display Example

Unchecked

Short code only

ANSONA

Checked

Combined name

Ansonia Public Library (ANSONA)
library selector full names
Figure 4. Library Selector in Staff Catalog with Full Names

This setting only affects dropdown menus and selectors. Library names in grids, lists, and detailed displays are not affected.

You may need to refresh your browser or log out and back in for this change to apply to all interfaces.

Column Settings

While not in the main Workstation Settings page, you can also configure column displays for various grids throughout Evergreen:

Saving Column Configurations

When viewing any grid (like check-out lists, holds lists, or patron searches):

  1. Right-click on any column header

  2. Select Manage Columns from the context menu

  3. Check/uncheck columns to show/hide them

  4. Drag columns to reorder them

  5. Click Save to preserve your configuration

These column settings are saved per workstation and persist between sessions.

Settings That Require Re-login

Some workstation settings may require you to log out and log back in to take full effect:

  • Library name display preferences

  • Some default search settings

  • Language preferences (if available)

When in doubt, save your work and perform a fresh login to ensure all settings are applied.

Best Practices

To optimize your workstation configuration:

Practice Benefit

Set search defaults to your most common scope

Reduces clicks and speeds up daily workflows

Configure sounds based on your environment

Maintains appropriate noise levels while keeping useful alerts

Use full library names if you work with multiple branches

Reduces confusion when selecting libraries

Customize column displays for your role

Shows only the information you need for your specific tasks

Troubleshooting Settings Issues

Problem Solution

Settings don’t save

Clear browser cache and cookies, then reconfigure

Sounds don’t play

Check computer volume, browser permissions, and sound card settings

Search defaults not applying

Log out and back in, or try a different browser

Column configurations lost

Settings are per-workstation; register and configure each workstation separately

Library names not showing correctly

Refresh the browser window or restart the session

Related Configuration

For additional customization options, see:

Next Steps

After configuring your workstation settings: