[Koha] Cataloging workflow

[Walls, Ian]

My library does our cataloging in Connexion, then exports/imports into Koha.  This is not without its difficulties, but the Connexion interface is preferred by our catalogers for the reasons Nicole mentioned.  I've set up OCLC as a Z39.50 client using the documentation they provide, so it would be possible to work exclusively in Koha, but with the current interface, it's not as practical for large cataloging volumes.

I've gotten some documentation from OCLC on how to set up a Gateway Client, which would allow our catalogers to just press F5 in Connexion, and have the record automagically added to Koha.  Obviously this is a bit of development work, and is not my current highest priority, but it would be feasible someday.  I'd be happy to talk with other developers about this, though I think the better idea would be to focus on enhancing the Koha cataloging interface first.

Cheers,


Ian Walls
Systems Integration Librarian
NYU Health Sciences Libraries
550 First Ave., New York, NY 10016
(212) 263-8687



-----Original Message-----
From: koha-bounces at lists.katipo.co.nz [mailto:koha-bounces at lists.katipo.co.nz] On Behalf Of Nicole Engard
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 4:05 PM
To: Agnes Rivers-Moore
Cc: Koha List
Subject: Re: [Koha] Cataloging workflow

I am not working in a library obviously, but based on my training it
sounded like a lot of libraries did their cataloging in Connexion and
then import to Koha.  As a cataloger (in my past life) I personally do
not find the Koha cataloging tool to have an easy to use interface for
quick cataloging.  I used to catalog without ever touching my mouse
and I can't do that in Koha - I also could easily add fields and
duplicate fields (etc) with keyboard shortcuts. Biblios was a step in
this direction, but never made it.  If I had the skills or money I'd
re-write the cataloging tool in Koha :(

Nicole

On Tue, Jan 5, 2010 at 2:31 PM, Agnes Rivers-Moore <arm at hanover.ca> wrote:
> In Hanover, we are cataloguing everything in Koha. Most records are
> imported individually using the Z39.50 search, and a few are created by
> copying and editing a similar record from our database (e.g. large print
> editions).
> Several other libraries in our group pay their book suppliers to provide
> a file of MARC records for the items they purchase, which are then
> imported with Stage MARC records for import, and then edited with local
> info. Some even have the book supplier add 952 fields with their local
> branch, item type code, callnumber and barcode number.
> As far as I know, none of our group are using Biblios to create or copy
> the records, but that is an option we are aware of.
> HTH
> Agnes
>
> Owen Leonard wrote:
>> I'd like to take an informal survey to get some ideas from the
>> Koha-using community. My library has never done the bulk of its
>> cataloging within Koha. We switched to Koha from a system which didn't
>> have a good cataloging module, so our catalogers have always been most
>> comfortable with their separate cataloging tools. However, we're
>> always looking for ideas for improving our workflow.
>>
>> Koha users, are you doing all your cataloging within Koha? If not,
>> what are you using?
>>
>>   -- Owen
>>
>>
>
> --
>
> Agnes Rivers-Moore
> Assistant Librarian
> Hanover Public Library
>
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