Communicate edited AFN request details back to user's library, for inclusion in next ROTA stop.
In our Automated Fulfillment Network (AFN), we are using the "volume" field in the resource sharing request form as the way users can indicate which volume(s) of a multi-volume set they wish to request from another AFN member institution. These requests are title level requests.
(I'll note: We are not currently using the "description field" selection option in the request form, since upon last testing, it treated, for example, a "v. 2" as a different item than a "v.2" or a "V. 2" or a "2" when building the rota, and our consortium has too much variability right now in how items were cataloged for this to be efficient to offer to patrons.)
So:
IF (for example):
--the users uses the Volume free-text field to request volumes 1-3
--and the first library in the ROTA can only fill volumes 2-3
THEN:
--the first library in the ROTA is able to edit the patron's request as it shows in their IZ, to now only include needing Volume 1.
--the first library in the ROTA can create two requests for the patron so they can send volumes 2 and 3 to the patron's pick-up library.
--the first library can then "cancel" the original edited request so that the unfilled need for Volume 1 is passed along to the next AFN member institution in the ROTA.
BUT:
--the edits made to the request by the first library, to indicate only volume 1 is now the only volume needed, are neither forwarded along to the next library in the ROTA when the request is cancelled to promote it, nor communicated back to the patron's home institution's borrowing request. The updated information does not pass along to the next library in the ROTA.
--the edits essentially disappear, leaving the next library to also consider filling volumes 1-3.
It seems the only way we've found thus far to update the request is:
1) the library that can only lend a portion of the request must contact the patron's home library.
2) then the patron's home library must edit the patron's borrowing request to include the updated volume information.
3) then the patron's home library must then use the "Recalculate Rota assignment" option to resend out the edited request information.
We would like for the request edits made by earlier libraries in the ROTA to be forwarded along to subsequent libraries in the ROTA, without needing such staff intervention at the patron's home library.
Debbie Campbell
shared this idea
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Debbie Campbell
commented
Commenting to reiterate my support for this enhancement.