How to group item types using parent item types

Item types are used by the fine and circulation rules to determine how many items can be checked out and by which patrons. It is possible to link item types to each other by assigning a parent item type which allows libraries greater control over limiting how many items of a particular type can be checked out. This document will outline how to apply a parent item type to an item type.

Identify the item type to be set as a parent item type

Go Koha administration > Basic parameters > Item types to open the item types table.

First, locate the item type to be set as a parent item type. If an appropriate parent item type does not exist, create a new item type for this purpose.

For information on how to create a new item type, please check our Help Centre or contact us directly.

In this example, the appropriate the item type to be set as the parent item type will be Book.

Take note the name of the item type to be used as the parent item type in the Description column on the table.

Select item type(s) to apply the parent item to.

Once the parent item type has been applied, identify the item type to be linked to the parent item type and go to Edit in the Actions column on the item type the parent item type will be added to.

This will bring you into the details of the specific item type. At the top of the page there will be a line called Parent item type, with a box to the right hand side.

Click on the box to the right hand side and a dropdown menu of the other item types will appear.

Identify the item type to be set as a parent item type and click on it. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page and you will be brought back to the item type table with a message confirming the item was changed.

The item type will now have the code for the parent item type in the Parent code column.

Version	Date	Detail	Author
1.0	09/04/21	Document created	Holly Cooper
1.2	16/04/21	Clarifying language	Holly Cooper
1.3	09/07/26	Updating for newer version of Koha	Holly Cooper