Variable-Length Fields in Item Records

[Carol Eyler <ceyler@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Like many III libraries, we have set up a number of variable-length fields 
in item records, to facilitate list creation and statistics gathering.  The 
ones we are currently using are:

DONOR, GIFT DATE, BK PLATE (for book plate text);
CONDITION, TREATMENT, REPLACEMNT (all used by our Preservation Unit);
RESERVHIST (used for Reserve history data, since the automatic note didn't 
meet our needs.); and the usual
LABEL, VOLUME, BARCODE, NOTE

We are interested in hearing how other academic libraries are using 
variable length fields in item records for other purposes.  What variable 
length fields do you use and for what purposes?

If there is interest, I will summarize responses for the list.  Carol Eyler
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Carol E. Eyler                ceyler@xxxxxxxxxx
Head of Technical Services
Carleton College Library      507-646-4268 (voice)
One North College St.
Northfield, MN  55057         507-646-4087 (fax)
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