WebOPAC: searchscope vs. branch

[Moira Burke <mburke@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm wondering how other libraries have their scopes and branches set up, 
specifically as they relate to the WebOPAC.

On some of the customizable screens (such as srchhelp_X), you have the 
option of using both a <!--{branch}-> and <!--{searchscope}--> token, but 
I've noticed different libraries use these rather differently.  Some (like 
us) only use one, rather than both.

Theoretically, it seems like the <!--{branch}--> token should be used to 
limit purely by the location in the bib record (as the manual states - 
102136) and <!--{searchscope}--> should be used to limit to a specific 
collection, like reference.  Then you could easily find all of the 
reference books at one of your branches.

However, a lot of libraries seem to be putting physical locations (such as 
campuses) as scopes.  I think this might be because only the scope options 
appear on all of the system-generated pages (i.e., at the top of a list of 
search results, you have the option to search again under a different 
scope).  But then you end up with locations in both your scope and branch 
menus, leading to confusion (at least at our library!).

So, if you're the person who set up the scopes/branches at your library, 
how did you do it?  How did you decide what was a scope, and what was 
simply a branch?

Thanks!
Moira


________________________
Moira Burke
Digital Services Coordinator
Portland Community College Library
mburke@xxxxxxxxxx
(503) 977-8167