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

[Mike Rylander]

On Mon, Jul 30, 2012 at 12:32 PM, Ben Shum <bshum at biblio.org> wrote:
> 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?
>

The Custom Best-hold Selection Order part of
http://blog.esilibrary.com/2012/04/16/sharing-code-is-caring/ would
handle that, if I understand correctly what it is you want to do.

-- 
Mike Rylander
 | Director of Research and Development
 | Equinox Software, Inc. / Your Library's Guide to Open Source
 | phone:  1-877-OPEN-ILS (673-6457)
 | email:  miker at esilibrary.com
 | web:  http://www.esilibrary.com