Item Categories are customizable vocabularies that can be used to describe items for searching or reporting. Item Categories do not affect circulation or hold rules in any way. This article covers SWAN's specific Item Category setup and usage.
Item Category 1
Item Category 1 holds generalized format information that may be useful when pulling records for reports or large-scale editing. This field does not affect tem search and retrieval on the patron end in any way.
Use of Item Category 1 is required.
Terms chosen for Item Category 1 are at the discretion of item libraries, but as the category is meant to be general, SWAN Bibliographic Services does not intend on expanding the vocabulary. Use of the UNKNOWN value is discouraged.
| Name |
Description |
| ART_PIC |
Art and Images |
| AUDIO |
Audio |
| BOOK |
Book |
| CONS_GAME |
Video Game |
| DIGITALRES |
Digital Resources |
| EQUIPMENT |
Equipment |
| KIT |
Kit |
| LARGETYPE |
Large Type |
| MAP |
Map |
| MISC |
Miscellaneous |
| MUS_SCORE |
Sheet Music |
| PERIODICAL |
Periodical |
| SOFTWARE |
Computer Software |
| TOYGAME |
Toys and Games |
| UNKNOWN |
Other |
| VIDEO |
Video |
Item Category 2
This category holds general information about intended age level of materials. It is used for reports, isolating items for edits, and as a search facet in the catalog. The Item Category 2 values are:
| ADULT |
| JUVENILE |
| TEEN |
| UNKNOWN |
Terms chosen for Item Category 2 are at the discretion of item libraries. Use of UNKNOWN value is discouraged.
Use of Item Category 2 is required as it is also used in the annual Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR).
Because they are required, SWAN Bibliographic Services sends out periodic reports of items missing Item Category 1 or 2 values. If you receive one of these lists, please make the needed changes to the indicated items as soon as possible.
Item Category 3
Item Category 3 is used to store data for SWAN's fiction/non-fiction search facet in the catalog. This field is automatically populated by a nightly script. You may set this field manually, but any changes my be overridden by the script. If you find an error in an Item Category 3 value, please send in a ticket.
For more information on this item category and the fiction/non-fiction search facet, please see Fiction / Non-Fiction Facet.
Item Category 4
This category is used to hold information regarding literary/musical genre, holiday collections, and other related information.
Use of this Item Category is entirely optional and is for internal use only. Item Category 4 is not searchable on the patron end.
For an up-to-date list of all Item Category 4 values, please see Item Configuration.
Item Category 5
This category is used to hold more granular information regarding format, for example, paperback.
Unlike Item Category 1, the vocabulary can be expanded to fit your library's needs.
The use is entirely optional and is intended for internal use only. Item Category 5 is not searchable on the patron end.
For an up-to-date list of all Item Category 5 values, please see Item Configuration.
Item Category 6
This category is used to hold information about the language of the material.
The use is entirely optional and is intended for internal use only. Item Category 6 is not searchable on the patron end.
For an up-to-date list of all Item Category 6 values, please see Item Configuration.