collectionwiz

frequently asked questions

What is CollectionWiz™?

CollectionWiz is a free online service from Capstone Publishers, created to assist you by taking the guesswork out of collection analysis. Simply upload your MARC records and CollectionWiz will analyze your collection based upon the most applicable criteria—yours! Plus, CollectionWiz includes numerous website search upgrades that help you search more productively and find what you need more quickly.

How does CollectionWiz work?

To use CollectionWiz, export your MARC records and then upload them to our website. Our sophisticated, custom-designed software examines your files, searching for key data like call numbers and copyright dates that identify the characteristics of your collection like the number of titles you have within the different subject areas and the average age of the items in those areas. In minutes, CollectionWiz will show you how your collection shakes out… just adjust the suggested age for each Dewey main class or hundred division and your results instantly update to reflect those changes.

Why did Capstone Publishers create CollectionWiz?

We’ve received many requests from library professionals in recent years for services like de-duplication and suggested title lists. Or, better ways to find narrow searches down to the hottest new formats, like graphic novels. You asked and we answered!

What makes CollectionWiz unique?

First, CollectionWiz does not require any setup work to use! Forget about needing to know your MARC tags and call number prefixes: simply export your MARC records and immediately upload them to CollectionWiz for analysis. Once you’ve uploaded your records, CollectionWiz allows you to select and instantly adjust ideal retention or suggested dates at the Dewey main classes and hundred divisions. This feature assists you with identifying and evaluating those items that may need to be reviewed for accuracy, misleading or inappropriate content. What’s more, CollectionWiz aging lists complement your weeding practices and other de-selection procedures used by showing you those items in your collection that don’t meet specified dates. And, to help with the selection process to replace items that are being evaluated, CollectionWiz instantly provides lists of product that are at or are newer than the selected ideal age, which are all correlated to the user’s state curriculum standards. Plus, we only recommend trusted Capstone Publishers products and alert you to books you already own. Being the publisher of our products … we know our items are appealing, accurate, relevant and appropriate! CollectionWiz is simple to use and understand for seasoned and new library media specialists.

How much does it cost?

CollectionWiz is 100% free!

Can I still use CollectionWiz even if I don’t have a lot of free time?

Absolutely! In most cases CollectionWiz takes less than 10 minutes to analyze your collection.

Do I have to be an existing customer to use CollectionWiz™?

No. No matter if your library is stacked to the rafters with Capstone Publishers’ titles or if you’ve never considered purchasing from us before, we’ve built CollectionWiz to address the collection development needs of all LMS professionals. If you’re new, simply take five minutes to sign up for an online account and you’re good to go!

I need new fiction for my library. Can CollectionWiz help or does it only apply to non-fiction?

We LOVE fiction! If you’re looking for new fiction selections, use our new website detailed search functions we’ve built into CollectionWiz to search by popular genres. Or, choose to use the GRAPHIC or HI-LO filters to narrow your results to those formats most popular with your students.

Do I need a special browser or software to use CollectionWiz?

You don’t need to download special software to use CollectionWiz. We’ve designed it to operate via commonly used browser programs such as Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Safari. You’ll need a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat to download graphs and reports; or, choose to download as a Microsoft Excel file.

Do I need to email you my records?

Nope! You can run CollectionWiz yourself – just click "here"

Why do I need an account to use CollectionWiz?

Having an account allows you to save your uploaded records and CollectionWiz analysis for future use. Plus, without an online account, our sites wouldn’t be able to offer such features as duplication notification when you peruse books on our site because we wouldn’t have the information about what you already own in our system to reference. Setting up an account takes less than five minutes and also allows you to opt-in or opt-out of informational emails from our imprints. And, it’s free.

How do I set up an account?

Simply click here and follow the instructions.

How much does it cost to create an account?

There no cost or financial obligation to set up an online account with Capstone Publishers!

I’d like to read all the instructions before I begin. Can you send them to me?

We’ve uploaded comprehensive instructions for CollectionWiz to our website. You can download the instructions from the CollectionWiz Upload Page.

How do I export my records?

We’ve included a quick-guide on the CollectionWiz Upload Page, which you can download that lists basic instructions for some of the most widely-used library automation systems. Otherwise, consult your automation software vendor’s technical manual, online help or customer service team for the most up-to-date instructions.

Do I have to remain on the upload page while my records are processing?

No way! Feel free to visit other areas of our site while your records upload—it won’t affect the upload. Or, check out other cool sites out on the web, like CapstoneKids.com!

When will my analysis reports be ready?

CollectionWiz™ analyses your collection in a snap! Typically, that means you’ll have your results less than 10 minutes.

How do I review my results after my records have uploaded and processed?

Simply click the VIEW YOUR COLLECTIONWIZ ANALYSIS button on the MARC upload page and we’ll send you right over.

How do I change the suggested age?

Enter your preferred age in the suggested age number blank and click SET. Select the RESET RANGE button to reset that number to the default—by the way, that’s five years—or hit the RESET ALL button to set all your custom suggested age settings back to default.

Can I change the suggested age for a Dewey hundred division?

Absolutely! That’s one of our exclusive CollectionWiz features. Simply click the + button on the left of the Dewey main class, then adjust the age for your preferred subclass. At the Dewey main class level, click the RESET RANGE button to reset all subclass years back to default.

What should I set my suggested age at for the best results?

The best criteria are always your criteria. Use the age suggestions outlined in your collection development plan. If you don’t have a collection development plan in place for your library, or if it simply doesn’t detail that parameter, check with your local or state library or curriculum requirements to see if there is a particular age mandated or suggested based upon your correlations.

I am using a MAC. How can I print my reports?

If you’re using a MAC, you can print your reports by downloading them to a local location and printing from the downloaded file.

I’d like to download my results. How do I do that?

Great! We’re happy you’re using these reports and graphs. Simply click the PRINT ANALYSIS or associated button at the top of your analysis results page and select the format you’d like to save as. Choose either a PDF or Excel file.

Will CollectionWiz save my records to my account, or do I need to upload every time I login?

Yes! Your MARC records are saved to your account until you upload an updated record set. This allows us to provide such features as duplicate notification every time to login to peruse our catalog.

I uploaded my records a couple of weeks ago, but I’d like to review my results again. How do I do that?

Login to your account and navigate to the CollectionWiz Upload Page; click the VIEW YOUR COLLECTIONWIZ ANALYSIS button and presto!

I’m lost! Where do I go for help?

Please feel free to contact customer service if you have any problems. Call us at 800.747.4992 or email us at customerservice@capstonepub.com.