Problem Summary

Currently, when an embedded digital viewer is present on a record, the system intentionally hides the cover thumbnail. Network calls confirm that the thumbnail is no longer requested once the viewer loads. While this is expected behavior, it can create a less optimal user experience in situations where the viewer does not display the actual cover or full document—for example, when it opens on a table of contents or another non-cover view. In these cases, users lose quick visual context provided by the cover image.

Description:
Requesting the addition of a configurable option that allows the cover thumbnail to remain visible even when the embedded digital viewer is loaded. This would be particularly helpful when the viewer displays content other than the cover (e.g., table of contents, metadata views, or alternate document sections). Providing the thumbnail alongside the viewer would enhance user context, improve navigation clarity, and offer a more consistent visual experience.

Proposed Behavior:

• Add a setting or toggle to optionally retain the cover thumbnail when the digital viewer loads.

• Ensure the thumbnail can appear in a consistent location

• Maintain current behavior as the default to preserve backward compatibility.

Rationale / Benefits:

• Improves user context when viewer content differs from the cover.

• Enhances UX without disrupting existing workflows.

• Offers institutions more flexibility in how records are presented.

Thanks