User manual

Chapter 5
And here are some key points about authorized values:
While installing Koha you can choose to install a set of commonly used
authorized values categories along and corresponding values
New Authority values categories and values can be created, edited,
or deleted
Authorized values categories can be mapped to fields in Bibliographic
MARC frameworks
Some authorized values such as branch and item type are special and
they are configured under Koha's Administration screens
Preparing a configuration plan
Before we configure Koha's cataloging module, we will need to develop a plan based
on the library's needs and circumstances. We will need to identify how to use Koha's
Authority Control, what types of material we would want to catalog, and what fields
and subfields we will need for each material type. We will also need to define which
of these fields and subfields will be mandatory, which ones will be controlled using
Authority Control or Authorized Values Control.
Identifying Authority Control rules
We will first need to decide how to use Koha's Authority Control, if at all.
Using Authority Control has cost implications; you will need staff to maintain your
authority files, or you may outsource this work. You may have to purchase authority
records from the Library of Congress or other sources.
You will also need to establish a process for using Authority Control. Will you create
authority records during the creation of bibliographic records, or after? What process
will you follow when authority headings are updated?
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