The Manage Items dialog contains a number of persistent menu options that are accessible via [Info] > [Options…] toolbar menu on the top-left of the dialog. Checking or un-checking any of these options will remain in force until manaually reset, even if the user logs out of Pergamon and shuts down the workstation.

Persistant menu options are recorded on a per dialog, and per user basis.

Whenever a record is selected, the details displayed on the right hand side of the dialog are automatically placed into core edit mode - the core record can be edited without the user needing to manually select [Edit Core Record].

This mode can be dangerous however, for users who are not fully familiar with the Unique / Core record system. This persistant option should only be used by those who are aware of the consequences of editing a core record. The option is particularly useful however, for libraries that principally contain unique records and do not have shared core records.

Any newly created record is automatically displayed and placed into edit mode. The cursor is placed into the first logical field, and the first tabbed page is brought to the front - in this way, editing of the record can take place using only the keyboard, with movement between fields possible using the [TAB] key.

Usually, the left-hand item listing contains a large number of items. Sometimes however, such as when a search has been made for a single item, on a single item is displayed. Turning on this option places any single identified item into edit mode immediately, avoiding the need to click the item separately to display its details.

By default, updating the changes to a record required the user to select the [Update] button or toolbar icon. This is done to prevent changed and accidental update by hitting the wrong key. If required, this option can be turned on so that depression of the [Return] key will update any changes into the database directly.

Note however, that the [Return] update option does not work on drop-down lists and list boxes due to limitations in the GUI controls on all operating systems.

By default, any delete item is removed from the database. By turning this option on, a deleting item is moved to a special location called 'Purge Bin' which operates in a similar way to the operating system 'Trash Can'. Items removed in error can be moved back into the live catalogue by changing their location back to 'Library' (or as required).

In versions of Pergamon which identify separate Unique and Core record options (any version above MU), operations on a Core record which may affect many separate items are always questioned. Turning this option ON will increase speed of operation but by removing double-check questioning.

The current location and size of the Manage Items dialog is recorded at the point at which it is close. When the dialog is reopened, the recorded location and size are restored.

Any of the tabbed pages on Pergamon versions above MU which contain option, index or associations lists automatically have their contents expanded if a contained type possesses any content. Note that even if automatically expanded, the Options list will display only the currently selected option if not in Core edit mode.

On Pergamon versions using Attachments, setting an image item to default will allow it to be automatically displayed if this option is turned on. This mechanism can be used to display, for example, book covers when the item is selected.

If the installation is signed up to the HUB, any new manual data entry is donated to the central HUB database so that it can be used by other Pergamon users. This system allows a long term reduction of data entry of new items.

If the installation is signed up to the HUB, entry of a serial number results in a search of the HUB for any version which may already have been entered by other Pergamon users. If found, the record is downloaded and populated read for editing.

By default, barcodes are only auto-generated if the user entered a question mark or Hash symbol in the Barcode field, then attempts to save the record. This process ensures that barcodes are not generated but then not used, resulting in the creation of 'holes' in the barcode sequence.

Setting this option ON auto-generates a barcodes from the default HID format as soon as the user chooses the [Create] toolbar icon.

Item Catalogue Management
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