Ability to prioritize hold requests to be filled by a branch that has multiple copies of the requested title
Currently, if a customer places a request, it will go through the list of branches as we have them prioritized currently. It may try to pull a hold from a branch that has only one copy while another branch has five on their shelf. I would like to be able to prioritize those branches with more copies for two reasons. First, it can help us to distribute titles more evenly through our use of the floating function. And second, it can help fulfill a hold more quickly. If a branch has more copies of a title, it is likely that the item will be easier to find. If the branch with only one title has that item go missing, that branch still has to do their due diligence before the request moves to the next branch on the list.
Richard Pruiett
shared this idea
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Jamie Naylor
commented
I agree with Richard's clarifying comment on Aug. 26.
It would be great to have the option to prioritize an available copy at the hold pickup location , with the next priority at a location with the most available copies, or designate a minimum of available copies (at least 2 copies).
This could streamline processing and reduce wait times for the patron. In the step of prioritizing the location with multiple copies, if the designated copy isn't found, staff can efficiently assign another copy on the shelf (same bib record) to fulfill the hold rather than sending the request to another locations' picklist.
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Richard Pruiett
commented
We count our circulation from the lending branch rather than the assigned branch. Though, to be fair, if the item is on the shelf at the branch that the hold is being placed for, we would prefer that hold get filled by that item. It is purely if an item needs to be shipped to fill a hold that we would like to have an option to pull from a branch with multiple copies.
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Cathy Pescinski-SHA
commented
I feel this may unfairly reduce circulations for smaller libraries by routing holds to the larger libraries. I get wanting to have things on the shelf, but many of our smaller branches' circulation comes from filling holds.