Default focus format tab in search should always be book unless format has been used as a filter.
When a user searches Vega Discover and has not applied a format filter we should not automatically select the first available format when frequently used formats such as book are unavailable (all copies circulating) because this can cause confusion resulting in an undesired request on the wrong format of a title.
A format tab other than the first default format should only be selected when a user has applied a format filter.
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Original Request for Historical Information (see conversation on this enhancement request for details)
Item records should not be condensed where regular print, large print, ebook, eaudiobook, etc. are all displayed together but under separate tabs. It's confusing for patrons when an item isn't available to borrow instantly in any format except the least popular one (ex: audiobook) and the catalog will default to showing the available format first. If patrons don't realize they need to change tabs to the format they want then they are requesting an item they don't want. Each format should be displayed individually to avoid confusion.
Tatiana
shared this idea
Updating the request based on customer discussion with product to clarify the purpose of the enhancement.
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Lisa Bondy
commented
I agree that the patron expectation is most likely the book format. It would make sense to make this the default format, unless the patron chooses another format through filters.
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Alexis Camarda
commented
Most patrons expect the book to be the default result. They can easily select a different format if they need to, but keeping the book as the first option across the board is more consistent.
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Denise Heid Scarbeck
commented
Our patrons rely on consistency, and having the book tab reliably highlighted first will eliminate tons of erroneous requests for material types that the patrons didn't want.
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Nicole Castellano
commented
Receiving the wrong format when a patron got confused while putting a hold on an item through Vega will lead to unnecessary frustration. Defaulting to books and then allowing patrons to filter out what do/don't want will help eliminate that frustration.
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Nicole Turzillo
commented
I agree that the focus on the first available format can confuse patrons. It would be more user-friendly to default to the book tab unless a specific format is selected to narrow down the results.