[Koha-devel] RFC [ Koha 3.2 ] : Barcode prefixes in Consortial Environment

[Ryan Higgins]

 * Synopsis:

This rfc describes changes made to core Koha to enable  multiple libraries
with potentially overlapping
item and patron barcodes to merge their collections and patrons into a
single  Koha database.

 * Details:

Libraries with overlapping barcodes (items and patrons) currently  must
rebarcode their collections in order to coexist in a single Koha
installation.
This RFC outlines proposed  modifications to Koha's functionality to allow
libraries to merge
collections into a single Koha instance, decreasing overall maintenance
overhead and giving
 them access to Koha's resource sharing features.

This work encompasses:
(1) auto-insertion of institution-code prefixes to inputs on  circulation
functions and cataloging;
(2) addition of system-wide barcode length definitions;
(3) extension of autobarcode calculation to use ranges defined by those
prefixes and string lengths;
(4) addition of jacket-sleeve barcode image printing, allowing materials to
circulate between libraries.

Two collections with overlapping barcode sets may be merged into a single
Koha database by
defining a system-wide barcode length and a branch-level prefix.  It is
assumed that the incoming
data will be prefixed and padded prior to import so that the imported items
& patrons fit this schema.
When a patron or item barcode is scanned that is shorter than the defined
system lengths (system preferences),
Koha will add the prefix and pad as necessary based on the transaction
branch location.  If a scanned
barcode is equal to or greater than the system-wide length, Koha will make
no modifications.  This allows
sites to engage in long-term rebarcoding projects, eventually allowing them
to turn off this feature.

Since Koha must know the transaction location in order to determine which
item is scanned, transfers
between libraries cannot be allowed without affixing a temporary full-length
barcode to an item.  The existing
hold-transfer slip is extended to allow printing of the full system barcode
on a jacket sleeve, thus allowing
materials to circulate between different libraries.  The sleeve is only
required for items with 'short' barcodes.

Scanners work as expected within a local library, scanning the local short
barcode and translating it to the
prefixed, full-length system barcode.


Full text at:
http://wiki.koha.org/doku.php?id=en:development:rfcs3.2:rfc32_barcode_prefixes

Comments welcome.

-- 
Ryan Higgins

LibLime * Open-Source Solutions for Libraries
Featuring KohaZOOM ILS
888-564-2457 x704
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