Enable requests of multiple items of the same BIB-record
In Alma, it is generally not possible to request multiple copies of the same record. This possibility only exists if items are differentiated by the item description.
When it comes to special collections, patrons regularly want to compare multiple copies, which may differ. Such differences have generally not been recorded (hence no item description), which is exactly why people want to compare them. For collections in closed stacks, requesting from the catalog is the only way to obtain an item. However, we can currently not offer the option of requesting more than one copy to our patrons. Neither can library staff create additional requests in Alma, unless some (temporary) description is added. To us, this is a serious shortcoming of the system.
As an example, we have three copies of a collection of poems, all located in closed stacks. The items have different call numbers, but no descriptions. One of the items, being part of the special collections, has a source of acquisition note in the holdings record. The note from the holdings record is visible in Primo. This may trigger a patron to want to examine this and one or both of the other items. At present however, no request can be placed if another request for the given title already exists.
Heidi Brebels
shared this idea
Hello All,
This idea has been closed as part of a cleanup process for ideas older than two years with fewer than 20 votes.
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Alma Product Team