The Mandarin Oasis and WebOPAC search interface includes a list of material types that allow the user to filter the search results.

 

The list is in this drop down menu. The patron, for example, can choose to search for a specific title of subject in DVD format, by selecting DVD from the list and then searching as usual. If the catalog records are correctly coded, the results will be filtered correctly.

 

The list can be totally customized for your library. To configure your Material Types list, login to Oasis as librarian and click on the Enter Setup button.

 

Login to Setup.

 

Click on the Edit button in line with the installation you want to customize.

 

Click on the All Material Types button.

 

There are 17 pre-defined material types. Each one has a name and a query. The query contains the fields and subfields used to match an item to a material type.

 

You can rename any of the provided material types by simply editing the name. You might want to rename Non-musical sound recording to say Audiobooks, for example. Go to the bottom of the page and click Save to save your changes.

 

You can delete any of the provided types, if you want, for example if you do not have any of that type in your collection.

 

You can also add your own types to the list. At the bottom of the page, enter the name of the type, and then enter a query. Most of the provided material type queries refer to control fields, which have positions rather than subfields. These are indicated by brackets. To indicate a subfield, use the pound sign or hash mark. In this example graphic novels are indicated in the collection by a call number prefix of GN.

 

Click Add material type. Then click Save.

 

The material type list can be used to allow filtering of searches by other special collections. Here is an example from a library that has completely reconfigured the list to allow patrons to search within several different subsets of the collection.