Koha folks, In the migration process for my library, I've come across an odd subset of records in our existing ILS. This system allows you to link an item record to multiple bib records. We use this for providing additional access to certain issues of certain medical journals; these issues are at once a volume/issue of a series AND a monographic publication with ISBN. Patrons may look for the resource under either paradigm, either trying to find an article within (using a journal citation), or obtain a book on a specific topic (these certain issues are grouped by subject). Example: Seminars in Neurology, volume 12 (1992) has the monographic title "Neurodermatology". The series record just has the subject heading "Neurology-Periodicals", while monographic record has subject heading "Neurodermatitis" and an authority link to the editor. Koha's data structure doesn't allow a record in the Items table to point to multiple records in the Biblio and Biblioitems table. Let's ignore that Biblio and Biblioitems are split, since there has been discussion of merger in the future, and best not to hack a solution on something that'll disappear. What other ways could we come up with share the item information between two different bibs? Here are a few of my ideas; I'd love to hear more! * Attach the item to the monographic record, and fill in the series information to match the series record. Add some kind of code to the series record's display to show items attached to other bibs with the same ISSN and/or series title. * Attach the item to either record, and then do some kind of field repurposing in the Item record to include the biblio/biblioitem number of the other, and have the OPAC display this somehow. * Just include a link the monographic record to the series, and tell people to look there for the item's location/availability * Duplicate the item record, and come up with some kind of way to sync it... must show both items checked out if one is. * Keep the item data in both MARCXML records, but only import the info into MySQL for one * Use the Summary level in Koha 3.2... somehow.... Have any of you encountered this kind of problem before? What were your solutions? Does the above make sense? Could something else be done? Thanks so much, Ian Walls Systems Integration Librarian NYU Health Sciences Libraries (212) 263-8687 </PRE> <html> <body> ------------------------------------------------------------<br /> This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender by return email and delete the original message. Please note, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The organization accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.<br /> ================================= </body> </html> <PRE>