The Group Editor is used to create and modify the groups that Mandarin Oasis requires to function. Each group has a customized set of parameters and permissions.
There are three types of groups in Mandarin Oasis: Patron, Item, and Special Reserve.
Patron groups – Each patron record in the Mandarin Oasis system must be assigned to a patron group to establish circulation permission for the patron, as well as to set the level of access to Patron and Librarian Mode. A library might work with patron groups such as General Patron, VIP Patron, Volunteer, Staff Member, and Director. Permission to access patron groups is set by a user higher in the hierarchy than the patron group, and patrons cannot change which groups they can access. You can create an unlimited number of patron groups, although a patron can only be assigned to one group. The patron group information is stored in the 991#a of the patron record.
Item groups – Each holding record must be assigned to an item group to establish the item's circulation parameters. A library might work with item groups such as general collection, reference collection, periodicals, equipment, and rare books. Permission to access item groups is set by a user higher in the hierarchy than the patron group, and patrons cannot change which groups they can access. You can create an unlimited number of item groups, although a holding record can only be assigned to one group. The item group information is stored in the 991#a of the holding record.
Special Reserve groups – When a library needs to accommodate unusual circulation restrictions for a defined patron set, a special reserve group can be created. For instance, you might create a four-week special reserve group to restrict certain science books to in-library use by students involved in a chemistry project. Permission to access special reserve groups is set by a user higher in the hierarchy than the patron group, and patrons cannot change which groups they can access. You can create an unlimited number of special reserve groups, and patrons and items can be assigned to multiple special reserve groups. Special reserve group permissions override item group permissions. Special reserve group information is stored in the 991#b of the patron and holding record. Subfield b is a repeatable subfield.
