Streamlining Library Operations: Mastering Batch Process Techniques in Koha

I recently had the privilege of leading a session on “Mastering Batch Process Techniques in Koha” at the National Workshop on Koha ILS hosted by Providence Women’s College.

During this session, participants delved into the intricacies of leveraging Koha’s batch processing capabilities to streamline various library operations. We covered a range of essential tasks, including data import, record updates, and inventory management, highlighting how batch processes can significantly enhance efficiency.

One of the key points I emphasized was the strategic importance of batch processing in optimizing library workflows. By automating repetitive tasks and streamlining processes, librarians can effectively reallocate staff resources towards more value-added activities. This not only increases productivity but also enhances the overall user experience, aligning library services with the demands of the digital age.

The success of this session underscored our commitment to empowering library professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.

I would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Prasanth, the college librarian at Providence Women’s College, for graciously extending the invitation to serve as a resource person for the National Workshop. His support and collaboration were instrumental in making this session a success.

Snaps from the Workshop

Mastering Koha: Insights from the Librarian Guide Academy’s Advanced Training

Over the course of two enriching days, I had the privilege of participating in the Librarian Guide Academy’s Online Training Program on Advanced Koha. This event, held on September 9th and 10th, was a remarkable learning opportunity, made even more special by the presence and wisdom of D.P. Tripathi Sir, the Deputy Librarian at Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, and a renowned content creator on the YouTube channel Librarian Guide.

The training program covered a spectrum of topics related to the Koha Integrated Library System, and I had the honor of conducting sessions on the following themes:

  1. Circulation: Exploring the intricacies of circulation management in Koha, we delved into the software’s capabilities and how it can streamline library operations efficiently. The session highlighted the importance of smooth circulation processes in enhancing user experiences.
  2. Patron and Bulk User Management: Understanding the significance of maintaining patron records and efficiently managing bulk user data is crucial for any librarian. During this session, we explored the tools and features that Koha offers for seamless patron and bulk user management.
  3. WhatsApp Integration for Sending Alerts: In today’s digital age, effective communication is vital. Integrating WhatsApp for sending alerts directly from Koha proved to be a fascinating discussion. We learned how libraries can harness the power of instant messaging to keep users informed and engaged.
  4. OPAC Customization: A library’s online public access catalog (OPAC) serves as the face of the library to users. This session shed light on how libraries can customize their OPACs to offer an enhanced and personalized user experience.

The online format of the training program allowed participants from diverse geographical locations to come together, fostering a sense of community and collaboration among librarians. The interactive nature of the sessions encouraged discussions, questions, and the exchange of ideas, making the learning experience incredibly valuable.

In conclusion, I am grateful for the opportunity to have shared knowledge alongside D.P. Tripathi Sir and to have interacted with fellow librarians eager to enhance their skills. It is through such initiatives that the library community continues to grow, adapt, and serve its users better.

— Mahesh Palamuttath

National Workshop on Koha @ BCM College, Kottayam

Democratic Alliance for Knowledge Freedom – Kottayam and BCM College, Kottayam jointly organize a two-day national workshop on Koha Open Source library management system (offline) on 12-13 November 2022. It aims at giving enhanced training on Koha and all its modules.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORKSHOP

  • Initial configurations
  • Cataloguing
  • Patron management
  • Circulation management
  • Data Conversion
  • Tool module
  • Report module
  • Acquisition Module
  • Serial module
  • System Administration
  • OPAC customization
  • Koha installation on Cloud

Mode of Workshop: Hands-on training

Target People: Library Science students and professionals.

Intake Capacity: 30

Registration Fees: Rs. 1100 (Includes Lunch and Tea)

Online registration Link: https://rzp.io/l/dakf-bcm

Accommodation: Organizers will help you find accommodation in Kottayam town.

RESOURCE PERSONS FOR THE WORKSHOP

  • Dr Vimal Kumar V, Reference Assistant, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala State, India.
  • Sri. Subeesh Gopinathan, Librarian, St. Mary’s Women’s College for Teacher Education, Thiruvalla.
  • Sri. Mahesh Palamuttath, Librarian, East Campus, Sacred Heart College, Kochi.

Organizing Secretary: Jincy Philip ( Sr. Gracena ), Librarian (UGC), BCM College, Kottayam.
Contact Person: Dr. Vimal Kumar V., Secretary, DAKF, Kottayam.

Khidmath Arts & Science College Moves to Koha ILS

The Library of Khidmath Arts & Science College, Ananthavoor (PO Pattarnadakkvu, Thirunavaya, Malappuram, Kerala 676301 moves to Koha ILS from E-Library Solutions (proprietary software). Around 6000 book records with patron data were successfully migrated.

Thanks to Mr. Afsal Abdulla, the librarian, for recommending me to the college authority for the implementation and migration to Koha ILS.

About Kidmath Arts and Science College

Kidmath Arts and Science College was established in May 2005 as a self-financing college affiliated to the University of Calicut. The college completed 16 years of its academic journey. It has emerged as one of the premier institutions of higher learning in the pattarnadakkavu locality. 

Reference: https://www.khidmathcollege.ac.in/

Koha ILS upgradation at KMCT Medical College Manassery

KMCT Medical College Manassery library, Mukkam, Calicut, India- 673602 has upgraded their koha to the latest stable version (21.05.11) from 16.05 version. Thanks to Mr. Bhaskar, the librarian of the college for selecting me as the service provider.

About KMCT Medical College

KMCT Medical College was established in the year 2008 with an intake of 100 MBBS seats approved by the Medical Council of India. The College is affiliated with Kerala University of Health Sciences. The Central Government had accorded recognition for the MBBS course in the year 2013. Postgraduate courses were started in the academic year 2015-16 in Orthopaedics & Pharmacology and in the academic year 2020-21 postgraduate courses were started in other specialities (Microbiology, Community Medicine, General Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, ENT, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Anaesthesiology, Psychiatry, Radiology & Pulmonary Medicine). From the academic year 2016-17, the intake of students in MBBS course was increased from 100 to 150 by the approval of Central Government.

Reference: https://www.kmctmedicalcollege.org/about-us/

Koha ILS upgradation at AKG Co-Operative Institute of Health Sciences

AKG Co-operative Institute Of Health Sciences, Kannur (AKGCIHS) library upgraded their koha to the latest stable version (21.05.11) from 18.05 version. Also implimented DSpace digital repository for archiving their contents.

It was my pleassure to be seleted as the support provider fot their Koha ILS & DSpace

About AKGCIHS

AKG CIHS, a new addition to the health education sector in the northern Malabar region of Kerala was initiated in the year 2017 as a memorial of Com. A K Gopalan.

Sri. A K Gopalan was a remarkable politician, a fabulous orator and a great Parliamentarian in the Indian history and a person who always had a heart dedicated for the upliftment of poor and downtrodden. Therefore, this college is aimed to be a noble deed for serving the community and empowering the students of this institution with meticulous knowledge in the field of health education.

The college functions at the native place of Sri. AKG – Mavilayi which is about 10 kms west of Kannur town and away from the buzz of the town. This institution was created to facilitate health education, training and research.

With the motto being “Exploring new horizons in health care” we aim to bring about an overall positive change in the health education system and provide knowledge in respect to people’s Health throughout all stages with the recently developed techniques.

The institution is fully equipped with the modern technologies and brilliant infrastructure so as to motivate the students to learn, develop and create their own ways of approach towards the society. The platform for research is always the utmost priority as the institution commits to refine recent advances in the field of health care.

The mission and vision of the institution is directed to bring the best out of the students and to contribute their part in bringing a new aspect to health care. The younger minds are being well trained with excellent knowledge and tremendous skills.

AKG CIHS comprises 7 diploma courses under the paramedical sector now . It is been approved by the Directorate of Medical Education. The information about other paramedical courses will be updated soon.

Reference: http://www.akgcihs.com/home/about

Government College Mokeri moves to Koha ILS

Government college, mokeri, calicut moves to Koha ILS from BookMagic Software, around 25813 catalog records, patron data were successfully migrated to koha. Thanks to Mr. Lineesh sir, the librarian of the college for your cooperation and support.

My every implementation of koha comprises the following

  • Proper data extraction from the source software
  • Proper conversion of data into MARC21 format: merging unique records, adding bulk punctuation, custom fields from the available data + classification number, fast subject heading if ISBN’s are available
  • OPAC Customization
  • Various ready-made Koha reports
  • Daily automatic backup of Koha database to Google Drive
  • E-mail configuration
  • Gate register/inout integration with Koha
  • A full documentation with all codes and values I have used for the Koha

Things to do while you start using a fresh koha

The beginning of many’s journeys to the Koha often start either attending workshops or watching youtube videos. Of course, both will teach how to install koha and set up basic parameters in it. but it is just with a default preference, In the course of time, you will meet with some issues unless you enable the following system preferences in koha. Issues here don’t mean errors.

Let us see,  few of those issues

  • Fines do not calculate/disappears ( even after properly setting up circulation rules and fines)
  • The renewal period starts after the overdue date, not from the date on which the book was renewed
  • Can not check-out/issue books to patrons, if they have more than 5 rupee fine.
  • Doesn’t auto-generate call numbers in item part even after providing class number and item number in the biblio/record

Following are the solution with a few more useful preferences. To enable those, go to koha administration and search each preference and make respective changes

PreferenceOption to be enabled
finesMode

(To calculate fine, if not)
Use "Calculate and charge"
RenewalPeriodBase

(When renewing checkouts, base the new due date on
the current date)
Use "the current date"
noissuescharge

(To prevent the patron checking out items only if he/she has overdue fine more than 100 rupee)
Add the prefered amount eg:100
itemcallnumber

( To auto-create item's callnumber)
Add the tags "082ab"
AdvancedSearchTypes

(To show tabs in the OPAC and staff interface advanced search for limiting searches on the itemtype, collection code and location code)
Add "itemtype|ccode|loc"
AmazonCoverImages

(To display cover images from Amazon on search results and item detail pages on the staff interface)
Enable "show"
OPACAmazonCoverImages

(To display cover images from Amazon on search results and item detail pages on the OPAC)
Enable "show"
OPACShowCheckoutName

(To display the name of the patron that has an item checked out on item detail pages on the OPAC)
Enable "show"
dateformat

(Use your prefered date format)
Use "DD/MM/YYYY"
patronimagesEnable "allow"
OPACpatronimagesEnable "show"
Display Accession number in OPAC
uncheck "item_barcode"
Home -- Administration -- Table settings -- OPAC -- Table id: holdingst -- item_barcode

Unleashing Koha: the complete library solution book released

Unleashing Koha: the complete library solution is a Koha user guide that suits all, whether you are a Library and Information Science student or a professional. It includes information on the emergence of Koha, the selection of Linux-based operating systems, Debian/Ubuntu basics, installation of Koha, Koha modules, administration, maintenance, and Koha learning resources. This book gives the step-by-step instructions with clear explanations that demystify Koha. The authors of the book are Library Science professionals and Koha experts.

This book is for Library and Information Science students and professionals with little or no Koha knowledge. It takes you, step by step, through what you need to know to work with Koha.

  • Gives an idea on how to prepare for Koha installation.
  • Configuration of newly installed Koha.
  • Learn fundamental operations of all Koha modules.
  • Introduction to Debian/Linux administration for Koha.
  • Simplified Koha system maintenance.
  • Introduce various resources to keep in touch with the changes in Koha software.
  • Unleashing Koha: the complete library solution is the learning companion you need. It provides hands-on training that lets you dive deep into Koha, the Free Integrated Library Management system.

About the authors

Vimal Kumar V has been teaching and writing about Linux and Koha for more than 15 years. A library professional and an expert in Free and Open Source software. His Koha Geek blog is trendy among the Library and Information Science community.

Subeesh Gopinathan is a tech-savvy young library professional. He is interested in knowing and understanding technology changes. He explores and experiments the Linux-based operating systems and Open Source solutions in libraries. Also acts as a resource person for Koha training programs.

Now you can place an order for the book through GooglePay or any other UPI based payment app. The price of the book is Rs. 400.

Contact Name: Subeesh Gopinathan

Google Pay contact number: 8547833736

UPI ID-  subeeshgopinathan1990@oksbi , 8547833736@upi

Put Rs. 400 and give a detailed mailing address with PIN code in GooglePay.

For queries, contact to subeeshgopinathan1990@gmail.com