[OPEN-ILS-DEV] Item types in Template Toolkit

[Kathy Lussier]

Hi all,

I've been looking at ways that we might be able to configure the item  
type list on the advanced search screen of the Template Toolkit  
catalog. What we would like to be able to do is list more specific  
formats (e.g. DVD, Blueray, CD, cassette) that can be pulled from the  
fixed fields rather than using a local MARC field to store this  
information.

In looking at one of the e-mails Bill Erickson posted to the list, we  
should be able to customize the item type list by using Server  
Administration < Coded Value Maps. I came across a little trouble  
because I couldn't save any of the coded values I created in the staff  
client (I submitted a bug report on this at  
https://bugs.launchpad.net/evergreen/+bug/845096)), but I could see  
how I might be able to create more specific videorecording item types  
by creating maps based on the videorecording format record attribute.

My question relates to the best way to incorporate these in the item  
type dropdown list. When looking at the search.tt2 and  
coded_value_selector.tt2, I see that two record attributes (mattype,  
item_type) can populate the item type dropdown menu. If there are  
values for the mattype attribute, it will stop and only use the  
mattype attributes. If there are no values for mattype, it will then  
use the values created by the item_type record attributes. Am I  
understanding this correctly?

Ideally, I think what we would like to do is to populate that dropdown  
list with values that are pulled from several record attributes  
(videorecording format, item_type, etc.) instead of just one record  
attribute. Is there any way we could do that or is there any reason  
why it would be inadvisable to do so?

Thanks!

Kathy Lussier

-------------------------------------------------------------
Kathy Lussier
Project Coordinator
Massachusetts Library Network Cooperative
(508) 756-0172
(508) 755-3721 (fax)
klussier at masslnc.org
IM: kmlussier (AOL & Yahoo)
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kmlussier