Library Priority Table (Admin>Parameters>Circulation - Sierra)

This documentation explains the functionality and the data elements of the Library Priority table.

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Library Priority Table Overview (MLN2 Libraries Only)

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The optional Library Priority table allows you to set a prioritized list of library locations for use when placing requests and title-level holds on available items.

For items requested via the WebPAC/Classic Catalog and for title-level holds placed by staff, if more than one copy is available, the system consults the Library Priority table to determine which branch location has the highest priority. The system then places the hold or request on the item with the highest priority. If two copies have the same priority, the system randomly chooses one for the request or hold.

Functionality Information

When viewing and modifying the Library Priority table, note the following:

• Compatibility with Page Pickup Location First Feature

  • If your library has set up both the Library Priority table and the Page Pickup Location First feature, the Page Pickup Location First feature overrides the Library Priority table. When you place a request or hold and there is an available item at the hold pickup location, the system ignores the priority settings in the Library Priority table and uses the pickup location's item, not the item with the highest priority, to fill the hold.

• Page Pickup Location First Feature

  • With the Page Pickup Location First feature, when you place a title-level hold or the system creates a title-level hold to fulfill a patron request, the system determines whether any available items that can fill the hold belong to the specified pickup location.

    • The system considers an item "available" if it meets all of the following conditions:

      • Has a status of '-' (that is, available)

      • Is not checked out

      • Does not already have other item-level holds

      • Is holdable by the patron (determined by Loan Rules)

      • If an item that belongs to the specified pickup location meets these conditions, the system places an item-level hold on that item. If more than one item belongs to the specified pickup location and meets these conditions, the system randomly places an item-level hold on one of those items. If the item(s) that meet these conditions do not belong to the specified pickup location or if no item meets these conditions, the system processes the hold normally.

Data Elements

Entries in the Library Priority table consist of the following data elements:

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