Filtering the Display of Links

Filters use the properties of the staff member's or patron's session to determine whether links to resources are displayed. If a filter that is assigned to a resource definition applies to one of the properties of a patron's session, the link to the resource is not displayed.

For example, if a resource offers useful additional information but must not be displayed to users in a given accounting unit, from a given port, with a given scope, etc., create a filter and assign it to the resource's definition. For example, you can choose to suppress links to a resource when the patron is a KidPAC user, but allow the same resource to display when the patron uses the WebPAC.

The use of filters is optional.

To use a filter:

1. Choose the criteria for filtering. You can set up filters that suppress resource links based on the user's:
   • Sierra application
   • accounting unit
   • scope
   • port
   • network login
   • network service level
2. Create the filter.
3. Assign the filter in a resource definition.

Filter Names and Types

Filters have names and types.

The filter's name is a unique identifier. A maximum of 64 characters can be used in a filter's name.

The filter's type refers to an origin. For example, if a user is attempting to access resources from the WebPAC, the WebPAC is considered the origin. Links to the resources will be suppressed in the WebPAC if a filter of the type "WebPAC":

• exists
• contains the user's port number
• has been applied to resources