Re: Holdings

On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 2:37 PM, Karen Coyle <kcoyle@kcoyle.net> wrote:

>
> In fact, this makes SKU analogous to the shelf number, but only in a
> superficial way. Shelf number does indicate a particular product but its
> main function is relative location and place in a classification of
> knowledge.
>

It's a known anti-pattern to overload semantic information on identifiers,
but SKUs can have structure to them (e.g.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_keeping_unit#Example_4).  I'd argue that
library patrons don't use the call number for any "classification of
knowledge" but rather as a simple finding aid.

Given these items, I think SKU is a fine fit for call number.  Warehouse
bin # would arguably be a better fit, but since it doesn't exist, I think
SKU is fine.

Tom