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

Thu Mar 10 10:12:01 EST 2016

I think adding a feature that would allow the user to choose whether to
include the prefix in a browse search is a good compromise. I would not
want to lose the ability to exclude prefixes from sorting.

Back in the Dark Ages, when I first began cataloging at SOLINET's
retrospective conversion department, we used subfields in the 090 (locally
assigned LC type call number) and 092 (locally assigned Dewey) for
prefixes and suffixes. I no longer remember what the subfield for the
prefix was but it wasn't unusual for an academic library to have a call
number like:        |?R |aF495 |b .J3 |y 1800-1810, |v Vol. 1|p Pt. 2 |n
no.3. It was cumbersome; but, call numbers sorted correctly. 

It would be nice to have a call number browse for shelflisting to check
call numbers that differed from the call number browse used by
noncatalogers. Shelflisting functionality allows you to see where the call
number fits, with or without affixes. Even for those libraries that don't
require unique call numbers, it does help in co-location and allows you to
spot an error in class number assignment quickly. 

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 
www.georgialibraries.org/pines 

From: Open-ils-general
[mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org] On Behalf Of
Josh Stompro
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2016 5:26 PM
To: Evergreen Discussion Group
Subject: Re: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Call Number Prefix and Suffix

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 
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
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
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kmlussier
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