“Sirsi Survival” became the theme of our migration to Sirsi – not because Sirsi made it difficult – but because any migration presents challenges and tests your “survival” skills. Forty public libraries in nine counties of south-central Minnesota were preparing to migrate to Sirsi after being with the system we knew and (mostly) loved for 15 years. No one was screaming and kicking, but there was a lot of apprehension and confusion and frustration on our end, with all of the data migration tasks that needed to be done, both at the regional level and at the local level. Fortunately, our dedicated team of Sirsi implementation staff – from our project manager, Muriel Lynne Bartholomae, to our SureStart coordinator, Doug Warren, and to our entire client care team – has been wonderful. We’ve had excellent support from Sirsi.

We knew that training would make all the difference, so we wanted it to be fun and meaningful. During the first week of training, every participant received a “Sirsi Survival Kit” in a brown paper bag, tied with raffia ribbon and a colorful tag that listed the items inside. Amongst the items in the bag were Kudos candy bars “for a job well done,” LifeSavers candy because their “efforts had been a real lifesaver,” etc. I was hoping everyone would take the idea back or come up with their own ideas and share something fun with their staffs.  

To carry on the Sirsi Survival theme, we scheduled a Sirsi Survival session a few days before we operated in offline mode and a week before actually going "live." It wasn't a training session (as we had no data to work with as Sirsi was doing our final data load). It was a gathering to ask questions and get answers. Many of those in attendance had not attended any other training sessions, due to the "train the trainer" concept, but they were eager to learn as much as they could to make this venture a success.

We decorated with grass skirting, leis, blowup fish and palm trees, Sirsi balloons, LifeSavers candy, etc. The ultimate survival food was served - the most scrumptious brownies!

The TdS regional staff opened the Sirsi Survival session with a song and dance routine to the old Santana song (You've Got to Change Your) Evil Ways. The song was "re-written" by TdS staff member Mary Hoffman, cataloging associate, and choreographed by Mary and Kelly Nelson, acquisitions/cataloging/interlibrary loan associate. The words were projected and the words handed out so everyone could sing along too – when they weren't hysterically laughing at us!    

Jeanne DeMars, TdS automation coordinator, wearing her survival life jacket, introduced the session with a "Survival" slideshow, comparing certain shots from the CBS Survival show with our own Sirsi Survival episodes. The slideshow was creatively produced by Janelle Phelps, TdS administrative specialist. After this eye-opening introduction, we had "Lightening Round" quiz questions of basic information about the OPAC, circulation, cataloging, interlibrary loan, and miscellaneous other topics. Candy bars were thrown out to those who answered the questions first. Other questions from the audience were taken, and the automation committee, DeMars, and other TdS staff answered to the best of their knowledge.   

Over 50 librarians and staff attended this fun learning experience, and the session ended with everyone singing You've Got To Change Computing Ways. Immediately afterwards, we received the following email from Shirley Coleman, Watonwan County Library, St. James:

        “Great session this morning!!! It was fun, informative, and frightening all
        at the same time. You should have charged the standard theater admission
        price this morning! What a great time!! Thanks to everyone for their
        hard work and creativity.”

Throughout the entire migration process (and always), TdS staff has been wonderful.  But, we know we could not do it without the support, encouragement, dedication, assistance, and passion for delivering the best library services, from member library staff. Thanks to all. We will survive!