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

[Benjamin Kalish]

+1

Benjamin Kalish
Forbes Library / 413-587-1012 / bkalish at forbeslibrary.org

Currently reading:* North and South* by Mrs. Gaskell
Just Finished: *The Riddle of the Sands* by Erskine Childers

On Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 4:50 PM, Geoff Sams <GSams at roanoketexas.com> wrote:

> 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
>
>
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