Branch Tables (Admin>Parameters>General>Branches - Sierra)

Owned by Tammy Poquette, created
Last updated: Apr 15, 2024
2 min read

This documentation explains the functionality and the data elements of the Branches table.

Table of Contents

Branches Table Overview

You can contact the Marmot Help Desk for help if you cannot view this table.

View the Branches Table by going to Amin, Parameters, General, and Branches in Sierra

Table Explanation

The Branches table contains location codes that are used to identify library locations from top-level, such as branches, to bottom-level, such as shelf locations within a library. These location codes are referenced in many other parameter tables as well as fixed-length fields. For example:

  • The inclusion of location codes within bib records and item records enables the system to display the location of a title on the WebPAC/Classic Catalog or the Pika Catalog.

    • Additionally, bibliographic location codes are used by the WebPAC to populate the location limiter (i.e. available at GCP Glenwood Branch vs available at GCP Carbondale Branch).

  • The location of an item determines the schedule of the item and the loan rules that apply to it.

  • The patron’s home library is specified by the location code in their patron record.

Functionality

The Branches table can have a maximum of 10,000 location codes. When you save the Branches table after making changes, the system will update the library schedule. When the table has a lot of branches, the process can take a few minutes and the following message will be displayed: Regenerating the library schedule.

Data elements

Element

Description

Element

Description

Code

One to five-character mnemonic code for the location. The code must be alphanumeric and cannot include spaces or symbols.

Note: Marmot cannot use the following values – “no”, “non”, or “none” (or “NO”, “NON”, or “NONE”) as location codes. The system will automatically convert these codes into “NONE” which will therefore select nothing.

Branch Name

This is a description of the location. This name appears in the public display of the record. The name assigned to each entry must be unique (i.e. not repeated anywhere within the table).

Public

The values of “true” or “false” are used to by the Sierra Desktop Application (SDA) and WebPAC/Classic Catalog to control the display of the location code in the location limiters.

A value of “true” will display the location on the WebPAC as a location limiter, and thus should only be used for top-level locations like branches.

A value of “false” will not display the location on the WebPAC as a location limiter, and thus should be used for bottom-level locations like shelf locations.

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