KOHA Cataloging module (Includes Z39.50 interface)

Assalamualaikum to all,

I want to share more information about Open Source Library system KOHA. This time is about Cataloging Module.

Actually, KOHA does not compromise on cataloging standards, KOHA ILS Cataloging module support UNIMARC, and MARC21 flavor. KOHA ILS also able to import bulk MARC record based on ISO2709 format.

One of unresisted features in KOHA ILS Cataloging module is it ability to import record directly from another library bibliographic database via z39.50 interface. This features would help librarian a lot in automating their cataloging their cataloging works and increase speed and productivity.

KOHA ILS cataloging module able to support several frameworks. Librarian can define "frameworks" to do different cataloging for monographs, electronic resources, periodicals, web and etc.Frameworks is a predefined tags for each specifics materials.

Each MARC tag and and subfield maybe presented to the librarian, using the explicit tag description. Example:"Title" for tag Tag 245$a, "Personal name" for tag 100$a and etc.) The corressponding tag number is also visible where necessary or preferable. Inthis way, librarian not need to memorize these tags.

Moreover, each MARC subfiled in KOHA ILS can be affected by user constraint as follows:
-Required subfield
-Required subfield
-Data type:

• Free format: There is no contraint on the data that can be entered.

• Subfield with "authorized value". A list presents the possible values for the subfield. This type of contraint is used, for example, for the language of the document, or the type of work (CDROM, monograph, etc.)
• Subfield connected to a thesaures/authority list. in this case, ILS makes it possibe for the cataloger to open a new window for searching in the thesaures/authority list (Proper names, Common nouns, Collective authors, etc)
• "Hidden" tag/field: managed and visib;e in the MARC editor, but invisible in the OPAC.
• Tag/field can be made clickable link in the OPAC (support URL Link)
• "Synonymous semantic": This constraint makes it possible to extend a seach on this field over other field which have the same semantic significant.
• Catalogue data can be displayed in MARC format, in simplified form or ISBD format, in both the librarian interface and the Web Based OPAC.

For your information, KIC already used this module and find that it is very user friendly and easy.-Liza-