Add fund code field to item record
We need the ability to report on items based on the fund used to purchase them. Recently, I was asked to create a list of items added to the database using a specific fund code. This cannot currently be done in Create Lists because there is no common field that links item records to their associated order records.
Create Lists also does not allow us to pivot from an item record to its attached order record, or vice versa. This creates a significant reporting gap.
This functionality is important because a single bibliographic record can have multiple items purchased using different funds. For example, one Fiction title may have items purchased through both the ARP (Automatic Release Program) and SAI (Suggest an Item) funds. We need to be able to identify the individual items associated with each fund, rather than assuming that all items attached to a bibliographic record were purchased using the same fund.
Providing a link between item and order records would allow libraries to create these reports using standard reporting tools and would significantly improve reporting flexibility and reduce reliance on SQL.
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Jeremy Goldstein
commented
This is quite important information that we would love to see in item records for all sorts of statistical purposes. Just calculating cost per circ by fund alone would be a game changer.
My one big concern with it however, which would need to be addressed, is to make sure that items wouldn't have to become bound to accounting units, similar to orders and checkin records. Items must remain accessible to libraries beyond the accounting unit owner.