Aspen Discovery

🟢Systems are up. Outstanding Aspen issues can be found on the Evergreen Issue Tracker.

Discovery Task Force Guiding Document (Google Doc)

By default, SELCO staff will manage your Aspen Discovery page and make basic changes (like changing library hours or fixing broken links) through the Help Desk. Priority is given for requests that affect functionality of Aspen. Less priority will be given for customization. 

Updated July 3, 2025

How to Request a Staff Login

Some member libraries have staff capacity to manage all parts of their Aspen Discovery page. Read this page and ensure you're confident in taking this role. SELCO will not manage day-to-day adjustments your library's page once one or more staff members of your library have an Aspen Local Admin account. 

If you want editing capabilities for your library's page, email the Help Desk requesting an Aspen Local Admin account. 

Current Capabilities

• Change your library’s theme and related options: colors, logo, headers, fonts, footers, and menu links

• Create announcements

• Edit library hours and locations

• Add pages in Web Builder

• Implement the Materials Requests module

• Create Browse Categories

• Create Collection Spotlights

• View Dashboards for various statistics

Caution

• It is possible for local admins to delete their library system or location from Aspen. Don’t touch the delete button. SELCO staff cannot recover your library system. You will be without an Aspen Discovery site until the Equinox support team can resolve the issue.

• When creating new themes/browse categories, assign them to your library before saving. If you forget to select your library system, the browse category/theme will be added, but invisible to you.

• Even though Aspen Discovery safeguards against some accessibility errors (ex. theme colors), local admins must be good stewards of content by writing in plain language, using alternative text, and creating accessible images.

  •  Refer to the accessibility segment in training (timestamp: 03:13-15:00)

• Let the Help Desk know when you see something weird with your staff account. 

  • Examples of weirdness include, but are not limited to: editing another library’s themes, editing system information, or being unable to perform an action you could perform previously. This could mean your permissions were changed, an update broke something, or your account was set up incorrectly.

Needs Further Discussion

The Discovery Task Force disabled the following options at a regional level because they require further discussion and consensus. There were concerns of patron privacy, the necessity of content moderation, or in the case of content enrichment, the lapsing of a contract that was tied to SirsiDynix.

• Ratings (Ratings, Reviews, & Sharing)

• Goodread Reviews (Third Party Enrichment -- Goodreads)

• Patron Reviews (Ratings, Reviews, & Sharing)

• Masquerade Mode (Masquerade Mode)

• Linked Accounts (Linked Accounts)

• Regionwide Content Enrichment (requires contract with third-party vendor)

Training and Resources

• Aspen Discovery Help Center/Documentation

• Equinox Training Materials Portal

  • Catalog Enrichment & Tools

  • Customization and Configuration

  • Resource Roadmap for Aspen Discovery

Minty Cat Catalog Computers Help