Book Image

Koha 3 Library Management System

Book Image

Koha 3 Library Management System

Overview of this book

Koha is the first full-featured open source library management system that is widely used for efficiently managing libraries. However, setting up and maintaining Koha is no walk in the park. It is not as straightforward as setting up the other popular LAMP applications.This practical guide provides all the essential information that is needed to make the task of installing and configuring Koha really seem simple and easy. It demonstrates how to set up Koha and its various aspects – installation, configuration, application administration, and data migration. It also covers troubleshooting, software maintenance, software customization, and other advanced topics.The book starts with installing and configuring the LAMP stack and the Koha application to meet your needs. It then goes deeper into setting up various rules and configuring settings for Koha. It also covers data migration of catalog records, software maintenance, and customization of the application. Chapters are also dedicated to providing an insight into advanced topics such as LDAP integration and Internationalization. Filled with numerous code samples and screenshots, this book will tour you through setting up Koha for evaluation or test purposes. It also includes loads of tips for troubleshooting and maintenance activities. By the end of this book, you will have gained the knowledge to get the most out of your Koha installation.

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Koha 3 Library Management System
Nov, 2010 | 288 pages
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Table of Contents (19 chapters)
Koha 3 Library Management System
Koha 3 Library Management System
Credits
Credits
About the Authors
About the Authors
About the Reviewers
About the Reviewers
Preface
Preface
Free Chapter
1
Installing the Software Stack
Installing the Software Stack
An orientation to Koha's installation
Preparing for installation
Installing Koha's software stack
Summary
2
Configuring the Apache2 Web Server
Configuring the Apache2 Web Server
Understanding Apache2 configuration
Preparing for Apache2 configuration
Configuring Apache2 web server
Troubleshooting configuration problems
Summary
3
Installing Koha's Zebra Search Engine
Installing Koha's Zebra Search Engine
About Zebra
Koha's Zebra related components
Installing Zebra
Testing Zebra
Using Koha without Zebra
Summary
4
Koha's Web Installer, Crontab, and Other Server Configurations
Koha's Web Installer, Crontab, and Other Server Configurations
Executing Koha's web installer
Configuring the crontab
Ensuring Koha starts automatically on server reboot
Configuring the correct SAX parser
Setting up environment variables for the Linux shell
Summary
5
Configuring the Cataloging Module
Configuring the Cataloging Module
A first look at Koha's cataloging configuration tools
Preparing a configuration plan
Implementing our configuration plan
Configuring MARC frameworks
Summary
6
Configuring the Circulation Module
Configuring the Circulation Module
Patron categories
Item types
Circulation and fine rules
Configuring the calendar and calculation of due date and fines
Due and overdue notices
Configuring holds
Summary
7
Configuring Other System Preferences
Configuring Other System Preferences
Understanding Koha's system preferences
Configuring transactional modules
Configuring OPAC preferences
Configuring styling and appearance
Configuring general preferences
Summary
8
Test Driving Your Koha Installation
Test Driving Your Koha Installation
Patrons—create, search, and view patron record
Cataloging—create, search, and view bibliographic and item record
Circulation—check-out, check-in, and view circulation history
Acquisitions—create an order, receive shipment, and view budget utilization
Serials—creating a subscription and receiving the first issue
Reports—creating a guided report and executing it
OPAC—running a catalog search
Summary
9
Migrating Catalog Data
Migrating Catalog Data
An orientation to migrating catalog data
Preparing to migrate catalog data
Migrating catalog data
Summary
10
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
Where to get help—community resources
Common problems
Problems with Internet Explorer
Summary
11
Updating Software
Updating Software
Orientation to updating software
Updating the software
Zebra—rebuilding indexes and restarting the server
Summary
12
Customizing Koha Software
Customizing Koha Software
An orientation to customizing Koha software
Customizing Koha software—an example
Committing changes
Create a patch using Git
Sending the patch to Koha's release manager
Summary
13
Advanced Topics
Advanced Topics
Creating and using matching rules for use during catalog imports
Understanding matching rules
Determining search indexes
More information and examples
Using LDAP with Koha
Multiple OPAC interfaces
Installing new languages
Setting up a public Z39.50 server
Summary
Index
Index

Summary

In this chapter, we used three tools to make cataloging simpler and to control data entry:

  • MARC Frameworks

  • Authority Control

  • Authorized values

Developing an effective configuration plan in advance is important.

There are cost implications to using Authority Control. You will need to incorporate your process of using Authority Control in the configuration plan.

You will need to develop a MARC framework for each material type that you catalog frequently, for the rest you can use the default framework. Within each framework you will need to configure which fields and subfields are available, and which of those are mandatory. Some of the fields can be brought under Authority Control; others may be controlled using authorized values.

In the next chapter, Configuring the Circulation Module, we will learn how to map the library's circulation policies to rules and preferences in Koha.

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