FAQs: Automatically Filling an Active Unavailable Hold When Charging a Non-holdable Item

How can I configure the system to automatically fill an unavailable hold with a non-holdable or holdable item when charged?

SirsiDynix Symphony now permits a non-holdable item to fill an active unavailable title hold when charged. For example, a patron places a title level hold on Breaking Dawn. The library has multiple titles across the system, including copies with non-holdable item types such as NEW_BOOKS. While in the library, the patron sees a copy of the title on the new book shelf and pulls a copy to check out. This copy is a non-holdable copy. When this copy is checked out to the patron, the system will automatically fill the user’s existing title level hold for Breaking Dawn.

The Symphony system can be configured as follows:

1.

System is configured to fill active unavailable hold when charging a holdable copy (default).

2.

System is configured to fill active available or unavailable title hold when holdable copy is charged.

3.

System is configured to fill active available or unavailable title hold when holdable or non-holdable copy is charged.

These configuration options affect items at checked out by library staff, from self-checkout systems, and in WorkFlows offline mode. Books by mail holds and blanket holds are also affected.

If option number 1 is configured:

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This is the default option and is the same functionality as in previous versions of Symphony.

If option number 2 is configured:

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Patrons will not get a pickup notice for items they’ve already borrowed.

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Holds may be filled more quickly, thereby improving performance measures.

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This functionality is designed to work with Clean Holds Shelf report.

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An item filling a Books by Mail hold need not be a mailable item.

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Out of range copies could, possibly, fill the hold.

If option number 3 is configured:

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Non-holdable and out of range items will fill holds when charged.

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“Available in transit” holds and “suspended available” holds can be filled when items are charged.

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In the special case where a non-holdable item is charged and there is another copying already trapped and in transit to fill the hold, the non-holdable copy will fill the hold immediately, and the hold will be made INACTIVE (inactive reason FILLED) and UNAVAILABLE.

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This option is not recommended for libraries that deliberately want to allow non-holdable copies to circulate freely without being affected by holds (for example, copies on shorter loan periods such as reserve items in academic libraries).

For all options:

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The system will still respect volume level holds (the hold will only be filled with the specified volume) and individual copy holds (the hold will only be filled with the specified copy).

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No changes were made as to how Symphony places and traps holds--only how holds are filled at check out.