[OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Show available copies link in the catalog

[Kathy Lussier]

Hi all,

I've periodically heard from our libraries that they would like the 
"show copies" link that displays in the available copies area of the 
public catalog record to display even if there are no copies available.

To demonstrate what I'm talking about, if you look at the 
record-with-available-copies screenshot, there is a link to show all of 
the available copies, which, when clicked, displays copies owned by all 
libraries in the consortium. However, if you look at the 
record-with-no-available-copies screenshot, that link does not display. 
I believe this is because the intent of this particular section of the 
screen is to display available copy information, in which case, the 
"Show" link wouldn't make sense if there are zero available copies.

However, there are many cases when a user may start a search scoped to 
their own library, but then may want to see all of the copies in the 
consortium. For example, if there are zero copies available, but only a 
handful of holds, they may want to see the status of the existing copies 
to get an idea of whether they are due soon. Or we may have a situation 
described by one of our libraries where they already have a hold on the 
title, click to the title from their holds list (carrying along the 
search scope in the process), and then want to see the status of the 
copies owned by other libraries in the consortium.

I think it's a good idea to add a link to display all copies, but the 
question is where would be a good place to put. I've thought of a couple 
of options:

1 - Display a "Show" link adjacent to the x current holds with x total 
copies statement. The problem here is that the "Show" link is a bit 
redundant if the other "Show" link is always displaying.
2 - Make the "x total copies" text in the holds area clickable to show 
all copies owned by the consortium. The problem with this approach is it 
is inconsistent with what's happening in the available copies area.
3 - Make the existing "Show" link display regardless of the current 
availability status of copies on the record, even if it is a bit 
incongruous with what that area is supposed to represent.

Of course, we could always leave that area as it is if other libraries 
are happy with the display.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!
Kathy

-- 
Kathy Lussier
Project Coordinator
Massachusetts Library Network Cooperative
(508) 343-0128
klussier at masslnc.org
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/kmlussier

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