Export from one library, Import to another?
Hi, I'm new here. My background is software development, not Library Science, so there's been a whole lotta learning going on. I've recently installed Koha 17.05.06.00 on Ubuntu 17 and it seems to be running okay. This is for a small organization with about 4,000 volumes to organize and track. So far, I've only got a couple of test books records in the library. I have a spreadsheet with the organizations books that I need to convert into MARC format (preferably XML) and then load. As a means of testing things, what I've been trying to do is go to one of the sample sites, export their data, and then import it into my Koha instance. I've been working on the assumption that I can go to one of the sample sites, Export their data, then just import it to mine -- no changes needed. Hasn't worked yet -- so am I naive to think it would be that simple? Are there header records of some sort that need to be adjusted when readying an export for import elsewhere? Basically, I don't care about the content, I just want a verified file that I was able to Import correctly, to serve as a baseline for the actual collection when I load it, so that if errors occur, it should be easier to figure out exactly what went wrong. So -- should it be possible to just Export from one library and directly Import it to another library or are the changes I need to make to the file to make it loadable by the target library? Or maybe there are quirks to the samples I've tried to use? Can anyone recommend a good source for a sample file I can use to test Import? XML preferred, but I can work with the other format if need be. Thanks for any help!
Excerpts from Alvin W.'s message of 2018-01-15 16:43:12 -0500:
Basically, I don't care about the content, I just want a verified file that I was able to Import correctly, to serve as a baseline for the actual collection when I load it, so that if errors occur, it should be easier to figure out exactly what went wrong.
I had to go through this process when I converted our library from Mandarin to Koha. Mandarin exported its catalog in MARC format, but I had to do a fair amount of work (using scripts that I wrote) to modify the holding fields so that Koha would accept them. A good starting point for understanding the issues is this document: https://wiki.koha-community.org/wiki/Holdings_data_fields_(9xx) You'll notice that a number of the fields (such as collection code, branchcode, shelving location code, and Koha item type) will need to have values that match values that you have previously set up in Koha. Collection code and shelving location code must match authorized values for CCODE and LOC, respectively. The branchcode must match codes that you've set up for library branches. The item type must match the item types you've set up.
participants (2)
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Alvin W. -
Mark Alexander