[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Call Number Prefix and Suffix

Wed Mar 9 17:25:54 EST 2016

Thank you Kathy and Elaine for increasing my understanding of this issue.

We really like using the call number prefix to cut down on mistakes during data entry, and to just leave less for staff to enter.  Since the call number prefix can be included in the item template, it works well.  I just tried saving a call number label in the template, that didn't seem to work.  So the answer of just enter the prefix manually to sort by the prefix seems like a big step back.

So we would like to keep using them, but have them behave like Kathy's second example, the browse is a representation of how the items appear on the shelf, where they are included in the sort.  It would be nice if we could have the best of both worlds.  Dewey call numbers with prefixes would browse without including the prefixes (if wanted) but non Dewey call numbers could include the prefix in the sort (if wanted).

I'm going to start a wishlist bug report on this, since it has been discussed before, so there must be some other interest out there.

Josh Stompro - LARL IT Director

From: Open-ils-general [mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org] On Behalf Of Kathy Lussier
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2016 11:41 AM
To: open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org
Subject: Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Call Number Prefix and Suffix

Hi Josh,

The question of whether the Call Number Shelf Browse should sort by prefix then call number or should just sort by call number is one that has been raised in the past. I thought there was a Launchpad bug on it, but I must have been thinking of this one - https://bugs.launchpad.net/evergreen/+bug/1150939 - where the idea was mentioned, but was not part of the code that was merged.

I think some of it comes down to philosophical differences on what the shelf browse should be doing. It could be:

* A virtual shelf browse displaying materials a library has in the same call number range, regardless of where it is shelved in the actual library. A user who is looking at a record on global warming, then, could use the shelf browse to find similar materials, and would quickly find another title of interest that may be shelved in the Young Adult copy location or in the New Books section. The ability to find these materials in multiple locations of the library is useful

* A reflection of the physical shelving arrangement in the library. In this case, it replicates the experience of browsing those shelves in the library, and reduces occurrences where an adult user is suddenly presented with a list of picture books on this topic.

I can see pros and cons for both sorting methods.

For those libraries that want the shelf browse to sort by the latter method, there are still reasons why they might want to store the prefix in its own, designated prefix field. One reason our libraries wanted to use separate prefixes, for example, was to make it easier to do reporting on call number ranges.

For staff client interfaces, there are times I find it useful to have the affixes and parts display in separate columns. Since I'm working on system where there is a mix of prefix use, it helps me see whether what I'm seeing is indeed a separate prefix or if it's part of the call number label. I do want to point out that it's possible to sort by prefix, then call number in most staff client interfaces. I haven't checked to see if we'll have the same ability in the web client.

I agree that this information should display in the full details of item status.

Kathy

On 03/07/2016 04:51 PM, Hardy, Elaine wrote:
Josh,

A key purpose of the prefix and the suffix is so that the call number sorts WITHOUT them That way, for example, Dewey class numbers are together regardless if they are R745.66 or 745.66 or J745.66. This is important for those libraries that use call number browse to ensure that they have unique call numbers and that a call number assigned to different editions are correct. That way, you get:

If you want your call numbers to sort including the prefix and suffix, just use put them in the call number and don't use prefixes or suffixes.

However, I would consider not showing the complete call number, including prefixes and suffixes, in Alt view of Item status to be a bug.

Elaine

J. Elaine Hardy

PINES & Collaborative Projects Manager
Georgia Public Library Service
1800 Century Place, Ste 150
Atlanta, Ga. 30345-4304

404.235.7128 Office
404.548.4241 Cell
404.235.7201, fax
ehardy at georgialibraries.org<mailto:ehardy at georgialibraries.org>
www.georgialibraries.org/pines<http://www.georgialibraries.org/pines>

From: Open-ils-general [mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org] On Behalf Of Josh Stompro
Sent: Monday, March 7, 2016 3:44 PM
To: open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org<mailto:open-ils-general at list.georgialibraries.org>
Subject: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Call Number Prefix and Suffix

Hello All, We have been using the Call Number Prefix and Suffix feature since shortly after we went live, we use it to add prefixes like "DVD", "CD", "BOOK-ON-CD", "LP" (Large Print) and we are just realizing the issues that come along with it.  I'm curious if it is considered feature complete or if anyone is still working on it.  It could be that we are using it incorrectly also, which I would like to hear.

The core problem is that the prefix isn't included in many interfaces as being a part of the call number, since the value from asset.call_number.label is grabbed without trying to add in the prefix and suffix.

Call number browse in the catalog doesn't work like we would expect, if someone wants to browse all the DVD's by call number, it isn't possible since the prefix isn't included in the data that the browse uses.

Anything with a column picker requires that the prefix and suffix columns also be selected to be able to view the full call number, which makes sorting by call number more complex in those interfaces.

Item Status doesn't show the call number with the prefix in the alternate view.

Are there any plans to include the Prefix and Suffix into the call number as a whole?  Or does it work like it currently works for a specific reason?  I don't really know enough about this to know how we should proceed, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Josh

Lake Agassiz Regional Library - Moorhead MN larl.org
Josh Stompro     | Office 218.233.3757 EXT-139
LARL IT Director | Cell 218.790.2110

--

Kathy Lussier

Project Coordinator

Massachusetts Library Network Cooperative

(508) 343-0128

klussier at masslnc.org<mailto:klussier at masslnc.org>

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kmlussier
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://libmail.georgialibraries.org/pipermail/open-ils-general/attachments/20160309/d580638f/attachment.html>