Item Messages plugin for Koha

A plugin for Koha to add and edit messages related to a specific item. These messages or notes can be added to the item through the "more detail" tab. Notes/Messages can be a free text or alternatively can be connected to an authorized value, ITEM_MESSAGE_TYPE. The messages/notes that are added to the item will only be visible via the "more detail" item tab as well as through reports.

Setup

• Download and install the plugin
• Restart Plack, this is necessary to add the new REST API endpoints
• Create new Authorised Value category ITEM_MESSAGE_TYPE

The ITEM_MESSAGE_TYPE authorised value category will define the different types of messages items may have.

If you would like to have a set up option for a given message type, instead of a free text field, you may add a list of pipe (|) delimeted options in the OPAC description for that authorised value.

Once this setup is complete, go to a title within the catalog. Choose the "Item" tab on the left-hand side of the view. This is will open up more detail of the item itself. There will be a new area to allow for these notes/messages to be added to the item, found below the barcode field. Any number of notes/messages can be added to the item.

Database Structure

This plugin creates a new table item_messages containing the following columns:

• item_message_id - iternal id for this message, auto increments
• itemnumber- foreign key to the items table
• type - ITEM_MESSAGE authorised value
• message - the actualy value for this message
• created_on - a timestamp for this message

More information can be found here: https://bywatersolutions.com/education/option-to-add-more-fields-in-the-item-with-a-new-koha-plugin