Booking, transit and preview time
We use the booking functionality in Alma for our Audio/Video-equipment. The equipment is administrated by our media production department, and is configured as a library in Alma.
The AV-library is the only place on campus patrons can check out and return AV-items. Apart from that, the AV-library also supports delivery to a library at a different campus (Kjeller).
• The transit time between the AV-library and Kjeller is set to 48 hours.
• The preview time on the equipment booking is set to one hour.
Use case:
When scanning an item due for pick-up at Kjeller within the next 48 hours, Alma insists you reshelf the item at the AV-library. Alma keeps on insisting you reshelf the item, until one hour before the booking time, alas until you are within the set preview time. Then, and only then, the item goes into transit to Kjeller, and the workflow is as expected. This of course, results in the equipment being too late for pick up at the Kjeller library.
If we change the preview time to 48 hours to accommodate the transit to Kjeller, the correct workflow kicks in at the expected time and the equipment goes into transit. Unfortunately, this affects the preview time for all the AV-items, regardless of pick up location. One apparent downside being patrons are blocked from checking out booked items, 48 hours prior to the booking time.
Our present work-around is to keep an eye on “Monitor Requests and Item Processes”, in order to sort out the equipment booked for pick up at the Kjeller library. Checking out the item as loaned for the patron before shipping it to Kjeller. The obvious downside, not being able to track the item in process, use scan in item … etc.
Suggested solution:
We would like to be able to make an exception to the preview time for bookings in the Fulfillment Unit based on pick up location: IF pick-up location=Kjeller THEN Preview period=48 hours.
Ann-Louise
shared this idea
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Ann-Louise
commented
Dear Vera,
I'll be pleased to help. Sending you an email very soon, where we can discuss the details.Best,
Ann-Louise -
Anonymous
commented
Dear Ann-Louise
I came across this email and am glad I did. I am trying to configure bookings for our media collection that will be circulating generally for 14 days. As well we have a teaching collection for media that is restricted for a 7 day loan period but is also bookable by faculty only.
each fulfillment unit has their own terms of use. Any suggestions would be welcomed. The info on Exlibris site for booking config is confusing
vfesnak@wlu.ca
vfesnak@wlu.ca