[Koha] MARC tag structure

[Rachel Hamilton-Williams]

Hi Suzanne 

 
> > We have been using various versions of koha for about 2 years.  Each 
> > time our computer person would put the updated version on the library 
> > computer, it has been a good thing...it has made my job easier.  That is until
> > this latest version (2.0).  I am so confused and frustrated, I'm ready to
> > scrape the whole thing and go back to the good old days of paper and pencil.

Oh no, how frustrating for you - I really hope I can help you get back to the 
kinder simpler Koha that you know and love.

> All the previous versions of koha had everything our library
> > needed.  This new version is giving me way too much information.  Is there a
> > version for people who are not really librarians and don't need to set tag
> > fields, etc.

YES - We (Katipo) are the "non marc" specialists really - most of our work is 
with 
libraries like yourself who don't really need all the detail of MARC, although 
it's nice 
to know it's there in the background, it shouldn't need to ruin your life.

 ? If not, here is where I am stuck... In PARAMETERS, I went to
> > MARC tag structure.  Clicking on MARC tag structure, it took me to the MARC
> > tag structure admin.  Across the top of that page it has: Tag Lib   Repeatable
> >  Mandatory  Authorized Value  Subfields  Edit  Delete. What does REPEATABLE
> > and MANDATORY mean? 

Oh dear :-)  

> > Why the heck am I being put through all this trouble when the last 
> > version was filling all the needs of our small library?  

In my gut I don't really think you have to do this - but I'll need to do some 
testing here.  If you just want to continue using Koha like you did before, 
then it has a "simple" non MARC mode that you should be able to get going and 
it will pretty much be the same - you certainly won't need to do this :-)

I'll have a chat here about how ours is set up - see opac.katipo.co.nz - and If 
that looks like "you" I'll tell you what all our settings are :-)

I loved the way it
> > was set up when I was doing Original Cataloging for a book.  It was so easy
> > and fast.  I planned to put all the non-fiction books on the koha system
> > computer over the summer and I haven't been able to get anything accomplished.
> > Thanks for letting me rant.  If I can get past this Repeatable and Mandatory
> > section, maybe I will be able to figure out the rest of it.

If you're not wanting to do copy cataloguing you quite possibly don't really 
need to - so go have a cup of tea (or your choice of something stronger :-), 
and we'll see what we can do to help

> > Thank you,

You're welcome - and would you like to be back on the koha mailing list?

Cheers
Rachel




> > Suzanne Gilbert
> > IHM School
> > P.S.  I used to be on the koha mailing list.  I haven't received any 
> > messages since early July.  I'm not sure if this is the correct e-mail 
> > address to which I should send this plea.  If not, please forward this 
> > message to the proper address.
> > _______________________________________________
> > Koha mailing list
> > Koha at lists.katipo.co.nz
> > http://lists.katipo.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/koha
> > 
> 
> -- 
> O/Ic Library
> Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College
> Ludhiana (Punjab) India
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Koha mailing list
> Koha at lists.katipo.co.nz
> http://lists.katipo.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/koha

_____________________________________________________________

Rachel Hamilton-Williams             Katipo Communications            
MANAGING DIRECTOR               Ph  021 389 128 or +64 04 934 1285 
mailto:rachel at katipo.co.nz           PO Box 12487, Wellington
http://www.katipo.co.nz                 New Zealand
Koha Open Source Library System
http://www.koha.org