Promotions in Polaris

Promotions are used to features specific resources in the catalog. When a user searches for something that matches the words in a promotion, a message appears in the search results, similar to a "you may also like" feature.

Creating a New Promotion

Currently, Promotions can only be created in the Polaris staff client.  There is no Leap option at this time.

• From the Polaris Shortcut bar, select File -- New.
  • Or Ctrl+N / the paper icon in the shortcut bar
• Select Promotion

Adding General Information

• Name - A unique name for the promotion.
• Owner - Select your library or branch
• Activation Date - the begin date for the promotion
• Expiration Date - the end date for the promotion
• Headline / Midline / Footline - the text of the promotion that will display in the PAC
  • Each field has a limit of 255 characters

In the catalog, the three text fields will appear like this:    

Resources to Feature

A promotion can contain bib records, community records, or a web link, but not a combination.

• Adding bibliographic records
  • Select Feature these local objects with Object Type: Bibliographic
  • Click Add and use the find tool to select the title(s)
• Adding a web link
  • Select Open this page
  • Type the URL in the input box

Enter Search Terms ("Triggers")

Triggers are words or phrases that will cause the promotion to appear in the search results.

• In the Freetext field, begin entering search term. Enter a single keyword or phrase per line
  
  • Single keyword - The promotion will appear in search results if the term is used anywhere in a user's search string
  • Multiple keywords - The promotion will appear in the search results if all words are used in a user's search string
  • Multiple keywords with quotes - The promotion will appear in the search results if all words are used in the exact same order without any other words.
• If necessary, change the type of search to only apply when a user is doing a specific kind of search.
• If the search terms should prevent the promotion from appearing, select the Negative box.
• Triggers can be moved up or down the list with the up and down arrows, but the order does not affect processing or ranking.
• The phrases can be normalized (remove un-indexable characters) by clicking the funnel
  • Removes asterisks, brackets, symbols, etc.
  • Retains double quotes, diacritics, apostrophes, hyphens

Demographic Targeting

• Location targeting limits the promotion to only appear for certain languages or branches.
• Select Target Only these branches and check the boxes for your library.

IMPORTANT: Set the promotion to only display in your library's catalog.  Do not create promotions for other libraries.

Finding Existing Promotions

• From the Polaris Shortcut Bar, select Cataloging -- Promotions
• Enter the name of the promotion or "*" to search all

Search for Expired Promotions

• From the Polaris Shortcut Bar, select Cataloging -- Promotions
• Select the SQL option and enter the following query:

Select P.PromotionID
From Polaris.Promotions P (nolock)
WHERE ExpirationDate < getdate()