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

State	Meaning
Available	May be checked out.
Checked out	Has an active loan.
Missing	Not currently available.
Damaged	Removed from normal circulation.
Archived	Retained in records but not in active use.

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

Staff can select Edit copy to correct its shelf, condition, or status. While a copy is checked out, its status remains controlled by circulation, but shelf and condition corrections are still allowed.

Delete one copy

When a title has multiple physical copies, staff can open a copy and select Delete copy. This removes only that physical copy and its completed loan history. Other copies and the shared book metadata remain unchanged.

A checked-out copy cannot be deleted. The last remaining copy must be removed with Delete book so the application does not leave a title with no physical items.

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.