Counting Pieces Received
Your library can maintain the count of pieces (e.g., of microfiche, microfilm, or copies of serials issues) received. The count is stored as a running total in the PCOUNT fixed-length field in the checkin record.
The system can automatically increment the number of pieces, prompt for the number of pieces, or not increment the number of pieces. The value in the UPDCNT field of the checkin record determines the action taken by the system. The possible values and their system-defined meanings are:
| Value | Meaning |
| a-i | Automatically increment the PCOUNT field with the number of copies checked in. |
| j-r | Prompt for the number of pieces received. Increment the value in the PCOUNT field by the entry. |
| s-z | Do not prompt for the number of pieces received. Do not increment the value in the PCOUNT field. |
You can further define these values for your library. For example, you can assign 'm' to mean "microfiche" and 'p' to mean "pocket parts." Both of these values cause the system to prompt for the number of pieces received, but the counts compiled under them are displayed separately in reports.
Resetting PCOUNT
To get accurate reports, you must reset the value of the PCOUNT field to zero in every checkin record at the start of each new report period. You can reset this field by using Rapid Updating of Records or by editing the records individually.
Defining UPDCNT Values
To define a value for the UPDCNT field:
- Choose Tools | Admin | Parameters | General | Fixed-length Codes. The Fixed-length Codes list appears.
- Choose UPDCNT. The Edit dialog appears.
- Choose and edit the value (i.e., Valid Character or Meaning).
- Choose OK.
Generating Reports on Piece Count
You can generate statistical reports from the numbers contained in the PCOUNT field. See Sierra Statistics for more information about generating statistical reports from data in fixed-length fields.