Confirming Shelf Availability:  Comparing Barcodes/Records to OPAC

Before beginning the validation process, libraries may choose to compare their validation list against the opac in order to obtain the status of items that would affect the availability of the title being present on the shelf, e.g. 'checked out', 'in transit', 'missing'.   

Below are instructions on how to do this for the ILSs in the EAST Validation Sample Study.   See also "How to download your validation list".

Send the exported data with your ILS record number and status to samato@blc.org, or you can add the data yourself with these instructions, and return the updated validation list with the item status in column A.  (Note that the Voyager instructions already include a process of merging the data from the ILS into the validation list spreadsheet.)

If your library is unable to complete these steps, two alternatives are available:

Option 1) If you are able to export a list of materials that are currently checked out / lost / missing, etc., along with their record number, we can  match this up against your list for you.  Send the exported data to samato@blc.org, or you can add the data yourself with these instructions, and return the updated validation list, with the item status in column A. 

Option 2) Manually check the status of items not found on the shelf.    The Validation Tool has a "Check Catalog" feature that can assist in this process. 

***** If you choose to do an ILS check of your list before beginning validation, *****

***** this step must be completed by October 25, 2017. *****