How to manage virtual branches (or temporary locations)
Hi there, Wondering how Koha 3.0 can handle what we call virtual branches. We are still running 2.9.2 but plan to move to Koha 3.0 soonish. We have 3 real or physical libraries (Foxton, Levin and Shanon). We have also been running a bunch of virtual branches too, so we can track where items are. These include Foxton Mending (a mending room at Foxton Library), Levin Mending (Mending room at Levin Library), Processing (the processing bench at Levin), HDC Stack (the Council strong room across the road from Levin Library) etc. We transfer items in the circulation module to the appropriate mending branch before moving them into the mending room, and for processing all new acquistions being received default to current branch P for porcessing. So, my question is, how do other libraries manage the current locations of items being moved into mending or coming through processing? Any thoughts and solutions would be gratefuly accepted. Cheers Jo.
We have 3 real or physical libraries (Foxton, Levin and Shanon). We have also been running a bunch of virtual branches too, so we can track where items are.
At my library we have a history of using an item status for things like this (Damaged, Lost, etc), but this method isn't always preferable because it's difficult to set or remove these statuses efficiently. Your method of using virtual branches has the advantage of working by scanning barcodes. I'd love to see a method for changing statuses, home branches, and custom shelving locations with a barcode scan. -- Owen -- Web Developer Athens County Public Libraries http://www.myacpl.org
Hi Owen, That is exactly how we move items around within the system.. We use a scanner to read the barcodes of items being moved into the mending room, thus updating their location branch. When they are finished being mended, or are being received into a branch, or are finished in processing and are thus available for circulation we simply use a scanner to read the barcodes at the returns desk, thus updating their location branch. It works fine; I just wanted to see if there was a better solution out there! cheers Jo. Owen Leonard wrote:
We have 3 real or physical libraries (Foxton, Levin and Shanon). We have also been running a bunch of virtual branches too, so we can track where items are.
At my library we have a history of using an item status for things like this (Damaged, Lost, etc), but this method isn't always preferable because it's difficult to set or remove these statuses efficiently. Your method of using virtual branches has the advantage of working by scanning barcodes.
I'd love to see a method for changing statuses, home branches, and custom shelving locations with a barcode scan.
-- Owen
participants (2)
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Joann Ransom -
Owen Leonard