[Koha] Koha 3.0 : item types or CCodes (again - sorry ..)

[Adrea Lund]

In response to Joe's question.



"A biblio with N items can map to N different itype (and N different ccode 
values).  How would you pick which one(s) you want on the results page?"



I understand the issue with large libraries/consortia, and I am not a 
developer or programmer, but I think the following suggestion could still 
work...?

My suggestion is a system preference that lets the library choose what 
criteria (if any) will pull icons that show up on the OPAC search results 
page.  (with at least 4 options) - 1) icons based on ccodes  2) icons based 
on item types  3) icons based on info in the MARC record - format, audience, 
etc.  4) no icons at all.



1)  The ccode icon would be pulled from the 1st item under the bib record 
and displayed on the search results page.  My understanding was that in KOHA 
2, libraries could set up ccode icons which would show up on the search 
results screen? If this is true, I thought that there might be quite a few 
libraries who were disappointed when KOHA 3 removed these icons from the 
search results page.  These folks might choose to base their search results 
icons on ccodes.



2) The item type icon would be pulled from the 1st item under the bib record 
and displayed on the search results page.  Libraries with detailed item 
types might choose to display icons based on item type. I think this is the 
option my library might choose.



3) and 4) Large libraries/consortia with multiple ccodes and item types for 
1 bib record, could choose to base their icons on info in their MARC 
records, or have no icons at all.



Having icons on the search results page is really really helpful when you 
are searching and want to know at a glance whether you are looking at a book 
on cd, dvd, book on cassette, video etc.   A new system preference like this 
could allow libraries both large and small to display icons based on 
criteria of their own choosing or on their MARC records.



I'm very interested if folks still see problems with this suggestion, maybe 
I am misunderstanding the issues.  I'm trying to figure out a way for 
libraries with less than perfect MARC records to have good icons which can 
differentiate between formats - for example btw a book on cd and a book on 
cassette.



Have a great day,

Adrea



Adrea Lund
Head of Adult Services
Grand County Public Library
257 E. Center St.
Moab, UT 84532
435-259-1111 ext11