Rapido mediation rules currently provide institutions a parameter that allows them to mediate the number of requests for the same resource within a given time period. Two comma-separated values are required: the number of requests and the number of months.

The problem with this is that there is no "greater than" functionality for the first parameter. Setting the first value to 2, for example, will cause only the second request for the same item to trigger the rule. Requests 3, 4, 5, and so on will not be mediated.

Ex Libris believes this parameter to have an "acquisitions" purpose. There's a built-in assumption that a library will purchase a resource once the mediation rule has been triggered. Libraries don't have unlimited funds to purchase every requested resource; however, and ExL's suggestion to set additional rules for the third fourth, fifth, etc. requests simply isn't feasible.

I suggest that the components of this parameter be broken apart, with separate parameters for number of requests and number of months. In addition, a greater than operator should be added to the number of requests, so that mediation can occur without setting up multiple rules.