Heratio Help Center article. Category: Plugin Reference.

ahgResearchPlugin - Technical Documentation

Version: 2.0.0 Category: Public Services Dependencies: atom-framework, ahgSecurityClearancePlugin

Overview

Researcher registration, reading room booking, workspace management, and citation generation for archival research services.

Database Schema

ERD Diagram

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         research_researcher             │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id INT                              │
│ FK user_id INT                         │──────┐
│                                         │      │
│ -- PERSONAL --                          │      │
│    first_name VARCHAR                   │      │
│    last_name VARCHAR                    │      │
│    email VARCHAR                        │      │
│    phone VARCHAR                        │      │
│    institution VARCHAR                  │      │
│    position VARCHAR                     │      │
│    department VARCHAR                   │      │
│                                         │      │
│ -- IDENTIFICATION --                    │      │
│    id_type ENUM                         │      │
│    id_number VARCHAR                    │      │
│    id_verified TINYINT                  │      │
│    id_verified_by INT                   │      │
│    id_verified_at TIMESTAMP             │      │
│                                         │      │
│ -- RESEARCH --                          │      │
│    research_topic TEXT                  │      │
│    research_purpose ENUM                │      │
│    research_period VARCHAR              │      │
│    supervisor_name VARCHAR              │      │
│    supervisor_email VARCHAR             │      │
│    reference_letter VARCHAR             │      │
│                                         │      │
│ -- STATUS --                            │      │
│    status ENUM                          │      │
│    approved_by INT                      │      │
│    approved_at TIMESTAMP                │      │
│    card_number VARCHAR                  │      │
│    card_issued_at TIMESTAMP             │      │
│    card_expires_at TIMESTAMP            │      │
│                                         │      │
│ -- AGREEMENTS --                        │      │
│    terms_accepted TINYINT               │      │
│    terms_accepted_at TIMESTAMP          │      │
│    photo_consent TINYINT                │      │
│    publication_consent TINYINT          │      │
│                                         │      │
│    notes TEXT                           │      │
│    created_at TIMESTAMP                 │      │
│    updated_at TIMESTAMP                 │      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘      │
              │                                   │
              │ 1:N                               │
              ▼                                   │
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐      │
│          research_booking               │      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤      │
│ PK id INT                              │      │
│ FK researcher_id INT                   │──────┤
│ FK reading_room_id INT                 │      │
│                                         │      │
│    booking_date DATE                    │      │
│    start_time TIME                      │      │
│    end_time TIME                        │      │
│    purpose TEXT                         │      │
│    materials_requested JSON             │      │
│    status ENUM                          │      │
│    checked_in_at TIMESTAMP              │      │
│    checked_out_at TIMESTAMP             │      │
│    desk_number VARCHAR                  │      │
│    notes TEXT                           │      │
│    cancelled_at TIMESTAMP               │      │
│    cancellation_reason TEXT             │      │
│    created_at TIMESTAMP                 │      │
│    updated_at TIMESTAMP                 │      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘      │
              │                                   │
              │ N:1                               │
              ▼                                   │
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐      │
│         research_reading_room           │      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤      │
│ PK id INT                              │      │
│    name VARCHAR                         │      │
│    description TEXT                     │      │
│    capacity INT                         │      │
│    location VARCHAR                     │      │
│    operating_hours JSON                 │      │
│    rules TEXT                           │      │
│    amenities JSON                       │      │
│    is_active TINYINT                    │      │
│    created_at TIMESTAMP                 │      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘      │
                                                  │
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐      │
│        research_workspace               │      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤      │
│ PK id INT                              │      │
│ FK researcher_id INT                   │──────┤
│    name VARCHAR                         │      │
│    description TEXT                     │      │
│    is_default TINYINT                   │      │
│    saved_searches JSON                  │      │
│    saved_records JSON                   │      │
│    notes TEXT                           │      │
│    created_at TIMESTAMP                 │      │
│    updated_at TIMESTAMP                 │      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘      │
                                                  │
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐      │
│        research_citation_log            │      │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤      │
│ PK id INT                              │      │
│ FK researcher_id INT                   │──────┘
│ FK object_id INT                       │
│    citation_style VARCHAR               │
│    citation_text TEXT                   │
│    created_at TIMESTAMP                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│        research_annotation              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id INT                              │
│ FK researcher_id INT                   │
│ FK object_id INT                       │
│    annotation_type ENUM                 │
│    title VARCHAR                        │
│    content TEXT                         │
│    target_selector TEXT                 │
│    tags VARCHAR                         │
│    is_private TINYINT                   │
│    created_at TIMESTAMP                 │
│    updated_at TIMESTAMP                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Reading Room Operations Schema (v2.0)

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│      research_reading_room_seat         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id BIGINT                           │
│ FK room_id BIGINT                      │
│    seat_number VARCHAR(50)              │
│    seat_label VARCHAR(100)              │
│    seat_type ENUM                       │
│    zone VARCHAR(100)                    │
│    has_power TINYINT                    │
│    has_lamp TINYINT                     │
│    has_computer TINYINT                 │
│    has_magnifier TINYINT                │
│    is_active TINYINT                    │
│    notes TEXT                           │
│    created_at, updated_at               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
              │
              │ 1:N
              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│       research_seat_assignment          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id BIGINT                           │
│ FK seat_id BIGINT                      │
│ FK booking_id BIGINT (nullable)        │
│ FK walk_in_id BIGINT (nullable)        │
│    assigned_at TIMESTAMP                │
│    released_at TIMESTAMP                │
│    assigned_by BIGINT                   │
│    notes TEXT                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         research_equipment              │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id BIGINT                           │
│ FK room_id BIGINT                      │
│    name VARCHAR(255)                    │
│    code VARCHAR(50)                     │
│    equipment_type ENUM                  │
│    brand VARCHAR(100)                   │
│    model VARCHAR(100)                   │
│    serial_number VARCHAR(100)           │
│    location VARCHAR(255)                │
│    description TEXT                     │
│    condition_status ENUM                │
│    is_available TINYINT                 │
│    requires_training TINYINT            │
│    max_booking_hours INT                │
│    last_maintenance_date DATE           │
│    next_maintenance_date DATE           │
│    maintenance_notes TEXT               │
│    created_at, updated_at               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
              │
              │ 1:N
              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│      research_equipment_booking         │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id BIGINT                           │
│ FK equipment_id BIGINT                 │
│ FK room_booking_id BIGINT              │
│    status ENUM                          │
│    checked_out_at TIMESTAMP             │
│    checked_out_by BIGINT                │
│    returned_at TIMESTAMP                │
│    returned_by BIGINT                   │
│    condition_on_return ENUM             │
│    notes TEXT                           │
│    created_at                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│        research_request_queue           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id BIGINT                           │
│    code VARCHAR(50) UNIQUE              │
│    name VARCHAR(100)                    │
│    description TEXT                     │
│    color VARCHAR(20)                    │
│    icon VARCHAR(50)                     │
│    sort_order INT                       │
│    is_active TINYINT                    │
│    auto_advance_to BIGINT               │
│    auto_advance_after_hours INT         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│      research_retrieval_schedule        │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id BIGINT                           │
│ FK room_id BIGINT                      │
│    schedule_name VARCHAR(100)           │
│    retrieval_time TIME                  │
│    days_of_week VARCHAR(50)             │
│    cutoff_minutes_before INT            │
│    is_active TINYINT                    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│       research_walk_in_visitor          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id BIGINT                           │
│ FK room_id BIGINT                      │
│    first_name VARCHAR(100)              │
│    last_name VARCHAR(100)               │
│    email VARCHAR(255)                   │
│    phone VARCHAR(50)                    │
│    organization VARCHAR(255)            │
│    id_type ENUM                         │
│    id_number VARCHAR(100)               │
│    purpose TEXT                         │
│    research_topic TEXT                  │
│    visit_date DATE                      │
│    check_in_time TIMESTAMP              │
│    check_out_time TIMESTAMP             │
│    rules_acknowledged TINYINT           │
│    registered_by BIGINT                 │
│    notes TEXT                           │
│    converted_to_researcher_id BIGINT    │
│    created_at                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│        research_print_template          │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id BIGINT                           │
│    code VARCHAR(50)                     │
│    name VARCHAR(100)                    │
│    template_type ENUM                   │
│    html_template TEXT                   │
│    css_styles TEXT                      │
│    paper_size VARCHAR(20)               │
│    orientation ENUM                     │
│    is_default TINYINT                   │
│    is_active TINYINT                    │
│    created_at, updated_at               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         research_activity               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ PK id BIGINT                           │
│ FK booking_id BIGINT (nullable)        │
│ FK walk_in_id BIGINT (nullable)        │
│ FK room_id BIGINT                      │
│    activity_type ENUM                   │
│    activity_date DATE                   │
│    start_time TIME                      │
│    end_time TIME                        │
│    description TEXT                     │
│    recorded_by BIGINT                   │
│    created_at                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

Default Queue Definitions

Code	Name	Color	Icon
new	New Requests	#3498db	inbox
rush	Rush Priority	#e74c3c	bolt
retrieval	Ready for Retrieval	#f39c12	dolly
transit	In Transit	#9b59b6	truck
delivery	Ready for Delivery	#27ae60	hand-holding
curatorial	Curatorial Review	#e67e22	glasses
return	Pending Return	#1abc9c	undo

Research Purpose Types

Purpose	Description
academic	University/college research
professional	Work-related research
personal	Genealogy, personal interest
journalistic	Media/press research
legal	Legal proceedings
government	Official government use

Booking Statuses

Status	Description
pending	Awaiting approval
approved	Confirmed booking
checked_in	Researcher arrived
completed	Visit finished
cancelled	Booking cancelled
no_show	Researcher didn't arrive

Service Methods

ResearcherService

namespace ahgResearchPlugin\Service;

class ResearcherService
{
    // Registration
    public function register(array $data): int
    public function updateProfile(int $id, array $data): bool
    public function getResearcher(int $id): ?array
    public function getResearcherByUser(int $userId): ?array
    public function verifyIdentity(int $id, int $verifiedBy): bool
    public function approveResearcher(int $id, int $approvedBy): bool
    public function issueCard(int $id, string $cardNumber, DateTime $expires): bool
    
    // Bookings
    public function createBooking(int $researcherId, array $data): int
    public function updateBooking(int $id, array $data): bool
    public function cancelBooking(int $id, string $reason): bool
    public function checkIn(int $bookingId, string $deskNumber): bool
    public function checkOut(int $bookingId): bool
    public function getBookings(int $researcherId): Collection
    public function getBookingsForDate(DateTime $date, int $roomId): Collection
    public function getAvailableSlots(DateTime $date, int $roomId): array
    
    // Workspace
    public function createWorkspace(int $researcherId, array $data): int
    public function addToWorkspace(int $workspaceId, int $objectId): bool
    public function removeFromWorkspace(int $workspaceId, int $objectId): bool
    public function getWorkspaces(int $researcherId): Collection
    
    // Citations
    public function generateCitation(int $objectId, string $style): string
    public function logCitation(int $researcherId, int $objectId, string $style, string $text): int
    public function getCitationHistory(int $researcherId): Collection
    
    // Annotations
    public function createAnnotation(int $researcherId, int $objectId, array $data): int
    public function getAnnotations(int $researcherId, ?int $objectId = null): Collection
}

SeatService (v2.0)

namespace ahgResearchPlugin\Service;

class SeatService
{
    // Seat Management
    public function getSeatsForRoom(int $roomId): Collection
    public function getSeat(int $seatId): ?object
    public function createSeat(int $roomId, array $data): int
    public function updateSeat(int $seatId, array $data): bool
    public function deleteSeat(int $seatId): bool
    public function bulkCreateSeats(int $roomId, string $pattern, string $type, ?string $zone): array

    // Seat Assignment
    public function getAvailableSeats(int $roomId, ?string $type = null): Collection
    public function assignSeat(int $seatId, ?int $bookingId, ?int $walkInId, int $assignedBy): int
    public function releaseSeat(int $assignmentId): bool
    public function markSeatOccupied(int $seatId): bool
    public function getSeatAssignment(int $seatId): ?object
    public function autoAssignSeat(int $roomId, int $bookingId): ?int

    // Occupancy
    public function getRoomOccupancy(int $roomId): array
    public function getSeatMapData(int $roomId): array
    public function getSeatStatistics(int $roomId, ?DateTime $from, ?DateTime $to): array
}

EquipmentService (v2.0)

namespace ahgResearchPlugin\Service;

class EquipmentService
{
    // Equipment Management
    public function getEquipmentForRoom(int $roomId): Collection
    public function getEquipment(int $equipmentId): ?object
    public function createEquipment(int $roomId, array $data): int
    public function updateEquipment(int $equipmentId, array $data): bool
    public function deleteEquipment(int $equipmentId): bool
    public function getEquipmentTypeCounts(int $roomId): Collection

    // Equipment Booking
    public function getAvailableEquipment(int $roomId, ?string $type = null): Collection
    public function createBooking(int $equipmentId, int $roomBookingId): int
    public function getBooking(int $bookingId): ?object
    public function getResearcherBookings(int $roomBookingId): Collection
    public function getBookingsForRoomBooking(int $roomBookingId): Collection
    public function checkOut(int $bookingId, int $userId): bool
    public function returnEquipment(int $bookingId, int $userId, ?string $condition): bool
    public function cancelBooking(int $bookingId): bool
    public function markNoShow(int $bookingId): bool

    // Maintenance
    public function getEquipmentNeedingMaintenance(): Collection
    public function logMaintenance(int $equipmentId, string $description, string $newCondition, ?DateTime $nextDate): bool
    public function getUsageStatistics(int $roomId, ?DateTime $from, ?DateTime $to): array
    public function getDailySchedule(int $roomId, DateTime $date): Collection
}

RetrievalService (v2.0)

namespace ahgResearchPlugin\Service;

class RetrievalService
{
    // Queue Management
    public function getQueues(): Collection
    public function getQueue(int $queueId): ?object
    public function getQueueByCode(string $code): ?object
    public function getQueueRequests(int $queueId): Collection
    public function getQueueCounts(): array
    public function moveToQueue(int $requestId, int $queueId, ?string $notes): bool
    public function batchUpdateStatus(array $requestIds, string $status, ?string $notes): int

    // Retrieval Schedules
    public function getRetrievalSchedules(int $roomId): Collection
    public function createRetrievalSchedule(int $roomId, array $data): int
    public function getNextRetrievalRun(int $roomId): ?DateTime
    public function getRequestsForRetrieval(int $roomId): Collection
    public function updateRequestStatus(int $requestId, string $status, ?string $notes): bool

    // Call Slips
    public function getPrintTemplate(string $code): ?object
    public function getCallSlipData(int $requestId): array
    public function renderCallSlip(int $requestId): string
    public function renderBatchCallSlips(array $requestIds): string
    public function markCallSlipPrinted(int $requestId, int $userId): bool

    // Walk-In Visitors
    public function registerWalkIn(int $roomId, array $data, int $registeredBy): int
    public function checkOutWalkIn(int $walkInId): bool
    public function getCurrentWalkIns(int $roomId): Collection
    public function convertWalkInToResearcher(int $walkInId): int

    // Statistics
    public function getRetrievalStatistics(?DateTime $from, ?DateTime $to): array
}

Equipment Types

Type	Description
microfilm_reader	Microfilm viewing equipment
microfiche_reader	Microfiche viewing equipment
scanner	Document/photo scanner
computer	Computer workstation
magnifier	Magnifying glass/lamp
book_cradle	Support for fragile books
light_box	Backlit viewing surface
camera_stand	For photography
gloves	Cotton gloves for handling
weights	Page weights

Equipment Condition Statuses

Status	Description
excellent	Perfect working condition
good	Normal wear, fully functional
fair	Minor issues, still usable
needs_repair	Requires maintenance
out_of_service	Not available for use

Seat Types

Type	Description
standard	Regular desk/table
accessible	Wheelchair accessible
computer	With computer workstation
microfilm	Microfilm reader station
oversize	For large format materials
quiet	Silent study zone
group	Collaborative/group table

Citation Styles Supported

Style	Format
APA	American Psychological Association
MLA	Modern Language Association
Chicago	Chicago Manual of Style
Harvard	Harvard Referencing
Turabian	Turabian Style
MHRA	Modern Humanities Research Association

Routes (v2.0)

Reading Room Operations Routes

Route Name	URL	Action
research_retrieval_queue	/research/retrieval-queue	retrievalQueue
research_print_call_slips	/research/call-slips/print	printCallSlips
research_seats	/research/seats	seats
research_seat_assign	/research/seats/assign	assignSeat
research_seat_map	/research/seats/map	seatMap
research_equipment	/research/equipment	equipment
research_equipment_book	/research/equipment/book	bookEquipment
research_walk_in	/research/walk-in	walkIn
research_activities	/research/activities	activities
research_activity_view	/research/activities/:id	viewActivity

Migration File

The Reading Room features require the migration:

database/migrations/2025_01_31_reading_room_enhancements.sql

This migration:

Creates 11 new tables for seats, equipment, queues, walk-ins, activities
Adds columns to research_researcher (photo_path, card fields)
Adds columns to research_booking (is_walk_in, seat_id, rules fields)
Adds columns to research_material_request (location, queue, call slip fields)
Inserts default queue definitions and print templates

Last updated: February 2026 Part of the Heratio AHG Framework v2.0

Contents