Provide more guidance when users try to place metarecord hold on titles that only contain parted items

[Kathy Lussier]

Evergreen version: all

Perform a 'group formats and editions' search for a title where all grouped records only contain copies with parts. The catalog will inform the user "This item does not have any formats available for holds placement."

It makes sense that you cannot place metarecord holds on copies with parts. The selected part is intrinsically tied to whichever format or edition was selected, so the user really needs to select a specific edition when placing a parts-level hold.

However, when confronted with this message, the user does not know why he/she can't place the hold. Maybe the metarecord option was set in a previous search. Maybe the system has set metarecord searching to be the default.

Instead of shutting down holds placement with a vague message, maybe the catalog can provide additional guidance at this step, leading the user to the correct bib record and then to the correct part.

[Kathy Lussier (klussier)]

When testing this workflow last week, I received the above message after clicking the Place Hold link.

When I test it now, the catalog brings me to the page where I can select a format or edition. Upon clicking submit, I receive a message that is similar, but slightly different to the message I reported above - "The system could not find any items to match this hold request."

I'm not sure where the differences were between my two workflows, but, if we improve this behavior, we need to ensure it's addressed in both of these places.