[Evergreen-catalogers] Managing patron requests

[Sylvia Orner]

Hi Laura,

We are currently using the patron request module to keep track of our requests, but we also use it in conjunction with EDI ordering and the acquisitions module so that the holds auto-generate as soon as the item is ordered.  As Scott mentioned, it’s got some issues, but it works for our purposes.  However, it works best if you are using it along with the rest of the acquisitions module.  If you’re just using it as a spreadsheet, you would probably be better off creating something in Excel because, as you mentioned, the patron requests are difficult to navigate and can get kind of clunky.

If have any specific questions or want to discuss the process more, please feel free to get in touch. I’m more than happy to share what we’ve been doing.

Thanks,


Sylvia Orner
Head of Technical Services
Scranton Public Library
2006 N. Main Ave.
Scranton, PA 18508
570-207-2379
sorner at albright.org<mailto:sorner at albright.org>


From: Evergreen-catalogers [mailto:evergreen-catalogers-bounces at list.evergreen-ils.org] On Behalf Of scott.thomas at sparkpa.org
Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2018 8:09 AM
To: Evergreen Community Catalogers
Subject: Re: [Evergreen-catalogers] Managing patron requests

Hi Laura,
   One of the libraries in the SPARK consortium is using this module. When they started using it, we were advised by others in the Evergreen community that it was problematic. This is indeed true as you are finding out, but it is not so bad that this library has stopped using it. For them it beats cards or a spreadsheet. PaILS is sponsoring development to improve this module, and we are looking for funding partners.
    I don’t work hands-on with this module, but, if you have specific questions, I’d be happy to pass them on to the library that is using it. Someone from there may also be on this list and may chime in.

Scott


Scott Thomas
Executive Director
PaILS / SPARK
(717) 873-9461
scott.thomas at sparkpa.org<mailto:scott.thomas at sparkpa.org>
[Description: Description: Training | SPARK – Pennsylvania's Statewide Library System]<http://www.palibrary.org/pails/>



From: Evergreen-catalogers [mailto:evergreen-catalogers-bounces at list.evergreen-ils.org] On Behalf Of Laura Sachjen
Sent: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 3:40 PM
To: evergreen-catalogers at list.evergreen-ils.org<mailto:evergreen-catalogers at list.evergreen-ils.org>
Subject: [Evergreen-catalogers] Managing patron requests

Hello everyone,
How do you manage patron requests at your libraries? Do you use the Patron Requests feature in Evergreen or something else?

Up until very recently we used paper reserve cards for patron requests, which were getting misplaced or not ending up where they needed to go. We're currently trying out the request feature in Evergreen (we don't use the Acquisitions module for anything else btw), but as one of the people who has to place the holds I'm finding it incredibly difficult to navigate. This is especially true when multiple branches create requests for the same title or create them for a title that another branch already owns. It's also getting clogged up with titles whose release dates are months away.

I'm open to any ideas or suggestions on how we can make this process smoother.

Thanks,

--
Laura Sachjen
Technical Services Manager
Branch District Library<https://www.branchdistrictlibrary.org>
(517) 278-2341 ext. 124
SachjenL at BranchDistrictLibrary.org<mailto:SachjenL at BranchDistrictLibrary.org>
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