[OPEN-ILS-DEV] Hold prioritizing for branches within a system

[Ben Shum]

Hi folks,

So here's a situation.  A library system has multiple branches, and each 
owns their own copies/patrons.  Library A owns a copy of an item and 
Library B does not.  But patrons from both A and B place holds against 
the material.  Because of how holds target / opportunistically capture, 
the patrons at Library A receive the item first while the item continues 
to circulate in and out of Library A, while the patrons at Library B 
never get their holds fulfilled.  It would be preferred that Library A's 
copy be used to fill holds for both Library A and B's patrons in the 
order the hold was placed regardless of pickup location.

While we understand that having additional copies for each branch could 
solve the issue, it may not be possible for the library to purchase and 
assign copies to each branch.  Instead, they're hoping that it is 
possible to re-prioritize holds within their system to follow a stricter 
first-in, first-out (FIFO) policy.  However, the concern has been made 
as to how FIFO might adversely alter how the library system shares 
material with the rest of the consortium.

Does anyone have any suggestions about other solutions or are we looking 
at some sort of development to change how holds target within different 
groups?

Thanks,

-- Ben

-- 
Benjamin Shum
Open Source Software Coordinator
Bibliomation, Inc.
32 Crest Road
Middlebury, CT 06762
203-577-4070, ext. 113