library: barcode modes, patrons/lending, install-time shelves and item types

Quick Add:
- barcode choices: automatic (zero-padded, >= 7 digits), scan a pre-printed
  sticker per item, or none for now; bulk 'give barcodes to items without one';
  reserve a block of numbers and print the sheet ahead of time (link opens
  Koha's range printer prefilled)
- default shelf saved on the server (shared by every device)
- item types follow Koha; CSP allows cover redirects; aria attrs fixed

Koha bootstrap:
- default lending rule (3 weeks, 25 items, 3 renewals, no fines) - a fresh
  Koha refuses every checkout without one
- automatic library-card numbers (start at 1000001), fines off
- Koha's own auto-barcode off (one numbering scheme)
- patron card template (Avery 5371) and layout with a scannable barcode
- LIBRARY_CODE, SHELVES and ITEM_TYPES honoured at first install

Why 7 digits: decoded printed sheets - 7-digit Code 39 read back 40/40, 6-digit
all-numeric symbols were reinterpreted as Code 32 for ~1 in 10 values.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
Claude-Session: https://claude.ai/code/session_013wi3ZSot4XbUViwRFgLpRf

library/README.md

@@ -37,9 +37,9 @@ scanner works as a keyboard, so just scan.
 1. The ISBN is looked up on the Library of Congress over **Z39.50**. If that server cannot
    be reached (many networks block port 210), **Open Library** over HTTPS is used instead.
 2. If you already have the title, you are asked whether to add **another copy**.
-3. Otherwise the record is added with the **next barcode number**, the Dewey (or LC) call
-   number from the record, the item type chosen at the top (Book, Movie, Music, Game) and
-   the shelf you picked.
+3. Otherwise the record is added with a barcode (see **Barcodes** below), the Dewey (or LC) call
+   number from the record, the item type chosen at the top (Book, Movie, Music, Game) and the shelf
+   you picked.
 4. Nothing found? A short form lets you type the title and it is added anyway.
 5. **Undo** removes an item (and the record, if it was the only copy). Freed barcode numbers
    are never reused, because a label may already be printed.
@@ -54,11 +54,40 @@ stack of books without looking at the screen.
 Phone camera scanning is not built in (browsers only allow the camera on HTTPS or
 `localhost`). A scanner-app that "types" the code into the box works.
 
+## Barcodes: your choice
+
+Barcodes are optional. Open **Barcodes and settings** at the bottom of the Add books page:
+
+| Choice | What happens |
+|---|---|
+| **Number them automatically** (default) | Each new item gets the next number, zero-padded to 7 digits (`0000042`). |
+| **I stick a pre-printed barcode on each one** | After the ISBN is recognised you scan the sticker on the book. A sticker that is already in use is refused. |
+| **No barcodes for now** | Items are added without one; the catalogue still shows them. |
+
+Later, in the same panel:
+
+* **Give them barcodes** numbers every item that has none, in one go, and shows the range to print.
+* **Print a sheet of barcodes ahead of time** reserves a block (say 80 numbers), and the link opens
+  Koha's label printer with that range filled in. Print the sheet, and stick the labels on whenever you like.
+  Reserved numbers are never handed out again.
+
+Good to know:
+
+* Koha's range printer needs both ends to be the same length, so barcodes are fixed-width digits. They are
+  **at least 7 digits** on purpose: 6-digit all-number Code 39 barcodes can be misread as the pharmacy
+  "Code 32" format by some scanners (checked with a decoder: 7 digits read back perfectly, 6 did not).
+* Prefixes (such as `HOME-0042`) are not offered: Koha's range printer cannot print them.
+* Barcode types Koha can print: Code 39 (default, read by every scanner), Code 39 with a Modulo-43 or
+  Modulo-10 check digit (needs a scanner set up for check digits), EAN-13 (exactly 12-13 digits),
+  COOP 2 of 5 and Industrial 2 of 5. Change it under *Cataloging → Label creator → Label layouts*.
+* Koha's own automatic barcode is switched off so there is one numbering scheme. Items added in the staff
+  interface have no barcode until you press **Give them barcodes**.
+
 ## Printing labels
 
-Quick Add shows the barcode range for the session ("Barcodes 12 to 27"). In the staff
-interface open **Cataloging → Label creator → Print barcode range**, enter those numbers,
-and pick a template and layout:
+From the Add books page, **Print labels** opens Koha's label printer with the barcode range of what you
+just added filled in (you may be asked to log in to the staff interface). Pick a template and layout
+and print at 100% scale (not "fit to page") so the labels line up.
 
 | Template | Sheet |
 |---|---|
@@ -72,7 +101,21 @@ and pick a template and layout:
 | Spine - call number | call number only |
 | Barcode only | barcode |
 
-Print at 100% scale (not "fit to page") so the labels line up.
+## People and lending
+
+Lending is set up for a home library: 3-week loans, up to 25 items, 3 renewals, **no fines**.
+Change it under *Administration → Circulation and fines rules*.
+
+1. **Add a person**: staff interface → *Patrons → New patron → Friend / borrower*. Only the name is
+   required; the **library card number is assigned automatically** (`1000001`, `1000002`, ...). Numbers
+   start well away from item barcodes so a scan can never mean both.
+2. **Print the card**: *Tools → Patron card creator → New batch*, add the patron's number, *Export card
+   batch*, template **Avery 5371**, layout **Library card**. The card carries the name and a scannable barcode.
+3. **Check out**: *Circulation → Check out*. Scan the person's card, then scan each book. The due date appears
+   on screen.
+4. **Check in**: *Circulation → Check in*, scan the book.
+
+A USB or Bluetooth scanner types the number and presses Enter, so it works in all of these boxes.
 
 ## Finding the books
 
@@ -80,10 +123,12 @@ The public catalogue searches title, author, subject and ISBN, and shows each co
 availability, call number and **shelving location**.
 
 On the Add books page, pick the **Shelf / room** before you scan; every book you add
-gets it, and the page remembers your choice. Change it whenever you move to another shelf.
+gets it. The choice is saved on the server, so every device shares it. If all your books are in one
+place, leave it on *(not set / all in one place)*; nothing is shown and nothing needs changing. Change it
+whenever you move to another shelf.
 The list comes from the staff interface (*Administration → Authorized values → LOC*), which
 starts with a few rooms such as Fiction, General stacks and Reference. Add your own there,
-for example "Living room - bookcase 2".
+for example "Living room - bookcase 2". (Koha has no way to add a room from the Add books page.)
 
 ## Common tasks