The is a kind of de facto standard for public library patron numbers. The 1st number is a 2 (3 is used for collection materials) The next 4 numbers are the library number. There were once assigned by Bowker (if I remember right) but they stopped that years ago. The next 8 numbers are the patron number. The last digit is the check digit. So the number 2999900000001X means this is a patron (2) in the library whose code is 9999 and is the 1st patron. The check digit system does not use X like they do in ISSN and ISBN, I only used it as a place holder. But, then there are many libraries who do not use this system, so any system needs to be able to handle other formats. Many school libraries seem to use the student ID number for instance. Sincerely, David Bigwood bigwood@lpi.usra.edu Lunar & Planetary Institute -----Original Message----- From: Roger Buck [mailto:rog@saas.nsw.edu.au] Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 4:11 AM Cc: koha Subject: Re: [Koha] Library card numbers, branch entry "Williams, Olwen - SAL" wrote:

...

From the spreadsheet I created a while back.

It's a 7 digit number and the last "number" may be an X

Let's refer to it as

ABCDEFG

Calculate= (4xA) + (6xB) + (3xC) + (5xD) + (2xE) + F G is the remainder when divided by 11, if it's 10 use X

(Mutters about younger generation not understanding check digits)

OK - I think I understand what check digits are for: Check digits are numbers that are based on a mathematical formula devised to help detect typical data entry errors... or something like that :^) When Using Check Digits with koha: Q0: What is the easiest way to allocate new koha library card numbers? Q1: Is there a Check Digit "standard" that is generally used for library card numbers? Q2: Is there a list of card numbers suitable for use with Koha? Q3: Is there a script that can be used with koha to generate a new number on the fly when creating new members Q4: Anything more that we need to know about using library card numbers with koha? Thanks, R. _______________________________________________ Koha mailing list Koha@lists.katipo.co.nz http://lists.katipo.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/koha