[Koha] Questions regarding Holds

[Andreas Hedström Mace]

Hi!

We are currently investigating how holds behave in Koha, and see if we can set it up according to our needs. We have so far not managed to do so, but the preferences concerning holds are quite complex so there might be ways we haven't tried yet - any feedback is welcome!

Our current set-up:

·         We have nine branches (libraries), where all patrons are able to place holds on any of the branches. (They are not affiliated with any one branch per se, but with Stockholm University Library as a whole.)

·         Books can be returned at any library and be sent back to the books home library, but we don't send out books between the libraries.

·         Item level holds are not available (except for staff)

We would like holds to work as follows:

·         Holds should be limited to all items of a specific branch, not all items (of several branches) connected to the bibliographic record. Holds can only be placed when all items are checked out on a branch.

·         The pick-up location should always be the same as the books home library.

·         A hold placed in one branch should not affect books on other branches.

An example:
The book "Narrative analysis" has 5 items, on three branches:

·         Library A, 2 items (2 checked out)

·         Library B, 2 items (1 checked out)

·         Library C, 1 item (not checked out)

Patron A places a hold at Library A. The 2 items connected to that library cannot be renewed and the first one returned will fill the placed hold. Items at Library B and C are unaffected and can be checked out normally. If the checked out item on Library B is returned before any books from Library A, it will not fill the placed hold at Library A but instead go back up on the shelf at Library B.

Does anyone know if this set-up is possible with Koha today? Is anyone doing this, or anything similar? Or is some development needed?

Best regards,
Andreas

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Andreas Hedström Mace
Librarian
Stockholm University Library
Stockholm University
106 91 Stockholm
Tel: +46 (0) 8-16 49 17
www.sub.su.se<http://www.sub.su.se/>
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