Custom Hold Pickup Durations Based Upon Material Type
We'd like to have the ability to change hold pickup duration based on material type. Many libraries are now offering Library-of-Things types of collections, as are several of ours. And they'd like to make it so you could put a hold on a LoT item, but you need to come get it in 24 hours, or 48 hours. Not in seven days or five days as set by an overarching system parameter that governs all the holds.
We already have material type specific parameters for fine codes and loan periods. The inability to adjust hold related parameters seems like a blind spot in the system.
Idea Image credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/toollibrary/14427641289
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Because Polaris doesn't support this functionality, many libraries are turning to solutions like MyTurn which is a Library-of-Things collection management system.
In other words, libraries are buying another ILS to do things that their primary ILS can't.
Better integration of LoT concepts into the primary ILS not withstanding, the ability to set hold pickup durations based on material type keeps more of the data on the primary ILS and reduces the complexity for the staff. It's easier for patrons as they won't be bounced from one catalogue to another, from one system to another, because they want to utilize something that's just another part of the library's collection.
Additionally, if a library is using a material type like "New Book," or "New BluRay," or "New Music" or something? They could set shorter pick up durations and keep that new stuff in circulation, rather than have it sitting on a shelf doing nothing while awaiting patron pick up.