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

[Geoff Sams]

I suggested this in IRC, but thought it would be beneficial here as well:

My recommendation is to change the left column to show "X of Y copies in Consortium/Region/Branch/etc. (Show)"

I feel like this would be the simplest and cleanest solution to the issue, and it would also make both columns a bit more in sync with each other.

Thanks,
Geoff Sams
Library Manager
Roanoke Public Library

-----Original Message-----
From: Open-ils-general [mailto:open-ils-general-bounces at list.georgialibraries.org] On Behalf Of Kathy Lussier
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2015 11:29 AM
To: 'Evergreen Discussion Group'
Subject: [OPEN-ILS-GENERAL] Show available copies link in the catalog

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