REQUEST - denyifavail but make an ITEM hold

[Steve Sowder <sowder@xxxxxxxxxx>]

We have discovered a problem with the patron request process.

What we would like to do:

When a patron makes a request for a hold 

  1. check to see if the item is on the shelf. If yes, then deny it.
  2. if item is checked out then place an ITEM hold
  3. send a recall notice to the patron with the item.

But we  have a "denyifavail" on the REQUEST option. Thus the reality is:

  1. check to see if the item is on the shelf. If yes, then deny it.
  2. if item is checked out it then places a TITLE hold.
  3. The requester is told the hold is successful but the due date is not changed on the item 
and no recall notice is sent to the patron with the item. The requester ends up waiting forever 
for the item.



If we change REQUEST to "item" instead of "denyifavail" then patrons can place holds on books 
that are currently available on the shelf. We would prefer they would go get the book and take 
it to circulation and check it out.

The help desk tells me that we can't put "denyifavail" AND "item" on the REQUEST option. But are 
checking into it.  Tracking number 703796.

Has anyone else solved this problem?

Can anyone tell me how to do what we want short of an enhancement request (which takes how long, 
if ever)?


Thanks for any help.


Steve Sowder                                      Systems Librarian
sowder@xxxxxxxxxx                               Andrews University