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Copies and Labels

Shelf-School separates a bibliographic title from each physical item:

  • Book is a title or edition, identified by metadata such as ISBN.
  • Copy is one physical book on a shelf.
  • Loan always references a Copy.

Every copy receives a unique payload:

COPY:<copy-uuid>

Print the QR label from the copy detail page and attach it where a camera can see it clearly. The copy QR is preferred for circulation because it remains unambiguous when the library owns several copies of one ISBN.

Copy state

StateMeaning
AvailableMay be checked out.
Checked outHas an active loan.
MissingNot currently available.
DamagedRemoved from normal circulation.
ArchivedRetained in records but not in active use.

Condition is recorded separately as new, good, worn, or damaged.

Delete a book

Staff can delete a book from its detail page when none of its copies is checked out. This also deletes its physical copies, stored cover, and loan history. Shelf-School blocks deletion until every active copy has been returned.