ILS/Account Integration -- Holds

Configuration options for the ‘ILS/Account Integration – Holds' section of the Library System.

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ILS/Account Integration

Go to Pika Configuration and Library Systems from the left sidebar.  

Open

Click the Library Id number, the Catalog URL, or the Edit link to gain access to the Library Systems page.

Open

Click on ILS/Account Integration to get to the Holds information.

Holds

Click on the Holds tab. 

Show Holds Button options

The Show Hold Button, Show Hold Button within the search results, and the Show Hold Button for items that are checked out only all work together.  The Show Hold Button for Items that are checked out only will show the hold button only if an item is not available locally.  

The Show Hold Button will allow holds from anywhere in the record view.

Here is an example of the Place Hold button showing when the item is checked out or available.  This is mostly used by public libraries.  The Place Hold button always shows.  

Universities, colleges, and schools sometimes turn off the Show Hold Button within the search results to make it harder for their patrons to place holds. This is one extra step for people to go through to prove they really do want to place a hold.  By default, the library may want people to go to the stacks first.  Most libraries will leave this option checked. 

Here is an example of an item where the Show Hold Button with the search results is not used.  There is no hold button until you get into the full record display.

Universities, colleges, and schools may only allow holds on items that are checked out.  If all three buttons are checked, the hold button will only show when an item is checked out.

Here is an example of a library that uses the Show Hold Button for items that are checked out only in conjunction with the Show Hold Button and Show Hold Button within the search results options.

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Show Cancellation Date

The Show Cancellation Date allows people to put in a cancellation date for their hold. This is used for people who no longer need the item after a certain date. It only works with a few ILS like Sierra and Millennium.  You may want to consider turning it off since some patrons put a very short date for cancellation thinking it gets them to the front of the line for the hold, but that is not the way the function works.  Instead, they may not ever get the item.

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Allow Freezing Holds

The Allow Freezing Holds is used once a patron places a hold. It will allow patrons to freeze a hold which keeps their place in line.  If a patron is going to be away, this would stop books from being transferred to them. They can freeze the hold until they either return from vacation or a semester break.  The patron can then thaw the hold.  This feature behaves slightly differently for different ILS.  However, Pika’s implementation is the same for everybody. Sometimes it is called suspend holds, and sometimes it is called freeze holds within the ILS.

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Default Not Needed After Days

The Default Not Needed After Days works in conjunction with the Show Cancellation Date of Unavailable Holds being checked. When this is set to zero, a default value of six months (182 days) from today will be used for the cancellation date when placing a hold.

Here is an example of the default six months (182 days) from today. This will display as a message that if the patron does not set another date, the default date will be used as a cancellation date when placing a hold.

A value of -1 will disable an automatic cancellation date for holds.  

Here is an example of a library using the -1 value.

A library can add their own number of days to the Default Not Needed After Days.

Here is an example of a library using 200 days for the Default Not Needed After Days.

The Default Not Needed After Days can also be seen when using Linked Patrons. When using Linked Accounts, you will see both cancellation dates. 

Here is an example of a linked account with two different libraries that have two different cancellation dates.

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Show Detailed Hold Notice Information

The Show Detailed Hold Notice Information is shown when a hold is placed.  It shows up in the notice pop-up box to let the person know how they will be notified when the item has arrived.

Here is an example of hold notice information that lets the person know they will get an email. 

Here is an example of a message a person will get once they press the submit button to place a hold.

Here is an example of information for a generic hold notice. The person only knows that they will be notified.

Here are some examples of a more generic message a person will get once they press the submit button to place a hold.

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In System Pickups Only

The In System Pickups Only restricts pickup locations to only locations within a library system. Consortia that share all pick up locations would turn this off.  If this option is toggled on, this would limit the pick up locations options to branches that belong to your library system. If there are other libraries outside of your library system where patrons can pick up their materials, you would turn on this feature in conjunction with the ‘Valid Pickup Library Systems’ setting. The ‘In System Pickups Only’ setting controls what options are offered to your patrons.

The Valid Pickup Library Systems is used as an additional library system for a pickup location.  This is for libraries that share barcodes. This setting works in conjunction with the ‘In System Pickups Only’ setting.

Here is an example from Steamboat Spring Library/Bud Werner who uses the Valid Pickup Library Systems.  They allow the schools to pick-up their items at the public library.

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Hold Disclaimer

The Hold Disclaimer allows you to add additional information that will go on the hold page. It can be anything from patron privacy notices to information about a branch closing and pick-up location change, to information about how often holds are pulled from the shelf, so patrons know it may be faster to come and get the book off the shelf. This is any information you want to show when placing holds.

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