Record and Field Limits

The following sections list number and size limits for various records and fields in the system. For limits on specific fields, see Fixed-length Fields and Variable-length Fields.

All Records

• The maximum length of records of all types in the system is 100,000 characters.
• The maximum length of variable-length fields is 10,000 characters.
• Each record has a limit of 127 MARC and non-MARC fields with the same field group tag.
• A WebPAC export file can hold a maximum of 2,000 records.

System Codes

• The maximum number of location codes is 10,000. For more information, see Branches Table.
• The maximum number of language codes is 800.
• The maximum number of country codes is 500.
• The maximum number of locations that can be associated with a located served is 500.

Records for Acquisitions-related Functions

• A system is configured with 750, 1500, or 3600 funds. As an option, this number can be increased to 5000.
• The maximum number of funds that can be entered in one order record is 100.
• The maximum number of external funds is 500.
• In Sierra 4.0 and earlier, the maximum number of PAID fields in one order record is 125. In Sierra 4.1 and later, the system supports an unlimited number of PAID fields in one order record.
• The maximum number of locations that can be entered in one order record is 100.
• The maximum number of lines that can be entered in one invoice is 500.
• The maximum number of entries in each invoicing session is 2,000.
• The maximum number of invoices in each electronic serials invoice is 70.
• The maximum number of entries in the Payment History file is 10,000.
• The maximum number of encumbrances that can be posted at one time is 2,000.
• The maximum number of vendor records is 30,000.
• The maximum number of accounting units is 63. If your library also has multiple serials units, the system can support up to 63 unique locations for both the accounting and serials units.

Records for Circulation-related Functions

• The maximum number of fines that can be outstanding at any one time for a particular patron is 200 for most hardware platforms.
• The maximum number of holds that can be placed by any single patron is 400.
• There is no maximum for the number of holds that can be placed on one item or for the "first copy available" (title level hold). However, the amount of hold data in an item or bibliographic record is limited by the overall length of the record.
• The maximum number of bookings that can be placed by any single patron is 400.
• The maximum number of bookings that can be placed on one item is 400.
• The maximum number of items that can be on reserve for a course is 350. An unlimited number of bibliographic records can be on reserve for a course.
• The number of items that can be held on ALL holdshelves for pickup is 500,000.
• The number of items for which hold pickup or hold cancellation notices should be printed is 33,000.
• When the circulation invoice number (displayed on receipts for fines and recorded in the Fines Paid file) reaches 1,000,000, the system automatically resets circulation invoice numbering to 1.
• The circulation override file holds 3500–5000 override messages.

Records for Serials-related Functions

• The maximum number of checkin boxes per checkin card is 120.
• The maximum number of serials units is 63. If your library also has multiple accounting units, The system can support up to 63 unique locations for both the accounting and serials units.

Limits for WebPAC-related Functions

• The WebPAC returns a maximum total of 32,000 search results. See Viewing Browse Displays for more information.

See also:

Record Linking

Fixed-length Fields

Variable-length Fields