Accelerated Reading Level and Accelerated Reading Point Searchable in Koha

by Kelly McElligott on Jul 2, 2019

Marc Fields 526$c and 526$d

In the newest version of Koha, 18.11, two Marc fields are now indexed and therefore searchable in Koha. The 526$c and 526$d are Marc fields that are used for noting the Accelerated reading level and accelerated reading point of the book.

Accelerated Reading levels and points are extremely helpful to children’s librarians when looking for books for students at a specific level. These fields are generally used for formal curriculum-based study or reading programs.

Adding Searches

A dedicated search can be added to both the staff client and the OPAC for easily accessibility. The search for both the accerelated reading level and accerlerated reading point can be added to the advanced search feature using a little jquery magic. To add this search to your advanced search drop down, the jquery below can be added to both system preferences: intranetuserjs (adding the search to the staff client), and opacuserjs (adding the search to the OPAC).

Code to input into the system preference: intranetuserjs:

$(document).ready(function(){

if ( $('#catalog_advsearch').length ) {

// Add Accelerated Reading Level to advanced search

$("select.advsearch").append('<option value="arl,phr">Accelerated Reading Level</option>');

// Add Accelerated Reading Point to advanced search

$("select.advsearch").append('<option value="arp,phr">Accelerated Reading Point</option>');

}

});

Code to input into the system preference: OPACuserJS:

$(document).ready(function(){

if ( $('#advsearch').length ) {

// Add Accelerated Reading Level to advanced search

$("[id^=search-field_]").append('<option value="arl,phr">Accelerated Reading Level</option>');

// Add Accelerated Reading Point to advanced search

$("[id^=search-field_]").append('<option value="arp,phr">Accelerated Reading Point</option>');

}

});

When this code has been added- here is what it will look like:

Advanced Search on the Staff Client

Advanced Search on OPAC

If you are not comfortable adding the code onto your library's site, we would be happy to help. Please submit a ticket!

Keyboard Shortcuts

Does your library use shortcuts to search for specific things? If so, here are two shortcuts specifically for searching these Marc Fields.

Use arl: for searching the Accelerated Reading Level

Use arp: for searching the Accelerated Reading Point

For those not using shortcuts or Hot Keys in Koha, here are some of my favorites! Once you start using them, you will never forget them or go back to the other way you were searching!

Use sn: for search the biblionumber

To jump directly to a catalog search - use Alt + Q (for Mac Users use OPTION + Q)

To jump directly to checkout - use Alt + U (for Mac Users use OPTION + U)

To jump directly to check-in - use Alt + R (for Mac Users use OPTIOn + R)

Want to learn more Koha?

For more Koha How-To blog posts- Click here!

Would you prefer a tutorial video? Click here!