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1.3. Sending Data Feeds

Last Updated 11/09/2023

Data Requirements

• Student information consists of fields on the patron registration window. Initial files will be bulk loaded into NC Cardinal.
• Data will be able to be updated in bulk quarterly; Uploads could include additions or deletions of student IDs (and incremental uploads).

File Format

Each participating library must obtain a file of student and teacher records from their participating School System.  The file is due to NC Cardinal Staff mid-September (fluid deadline date).  NC Cardinal Staff will supplement the files with additional information and ingest the data files ourselves. The file must be in comma-delimited format and have the following fields, in the designated order:

File Mapping:

• Mandatory information is needed to create student/teacher accounts.
• Strongly preferred information is not strictly speaking mandatory, but it is requested so that the library has a means of contacting the patron should it be necessary.
• Preferred information is requested (such as Guardian and Gender) but could be omitted due to missing information from parent/guardian to school when registering for classes.

 Please note that the student file template does not include the Evergreen field or Notes columns.

Other File Information

Additional fields will be added to each school file by NC Cardinal Staff:

• Privilege Expiration Date will default to October 1st of the following year.
• Password default is the last 4 digits of the Student or Teacher ID.
• “Home Library” default will be the relevant Library System’s main branch unless Library System notifies NC Cardinal Staff to customize the import file records.

File Submission Process

We want to be sure to protect the privacy of the data that you are providing. There are a few different ways that you can supply us with the student/teacher file.

If you would like to submit a password protected Excel file, the instructions for doing so can be found here. You could then call Will Szwagiel at 919-814-6721 to provide the password for the file.

Alternatively, you could put the data into a private Google Sheet and then share the sheet only with nccardinalprojectmngr@gmail.com.

If you have other suggestions for ways you would like to transmit the data, please let us know.

After files have been scrutinized, files will convert to .csv format and then be ingested into NC Cardinal's Evergreen Patron database.

You may also choose to generate and upload these data files yourself instead of submitting them to NC Cardinal. Instructions for doing so can be found at this page.