wishlist: web client: notes field in Place Hold screen

[Diane Disbro]

We often place copy holds so that a specific copy can get a new label or have cataloging changed, etc. Currently, the only way to add a note when placing the hold so that when the copy arrives we know why we requested it, is to put information in the Notify by Phone field. We replace the phone number with the words "needs label," etc.

It would be lovely to have a Notes field with a check box above the Suspend This Hold? line on the Place Hold page. If the box is checked and there is information in the Notes field, the information would print on the hold slip.

I suppose patrons would also find it helpful. They could enter "read for book club" or "Aunt Sadie recommended this book" when placing a hold so that they remember why they requested it.

Diane Disbro

[Kathy Lussier (klussier)]

There is a hold note field in Evergreen, but it is very difficult to find. You need to get to the hold details page to add a note, which requires multiple steps. There are options to make the hold public (meaning, the public can see the note in their My Account holds list) and to add the note to a holds slip.

A few years ago, we wrote up requirements to add the note field to the place hold screen and to other holds interfaces - http://masslnc.org/node/2765. Our use case was primarily for staff to add a note to the hold. If we were to make it available to the public, I think we should do so in a way that they do not need to worry about the additional options. It should just default to making it public and probably not to print on a holds slip.

I think it would be a nice enhancement to make this field more accessible. I suspect many people don't even know it exists because it is so difficult to find.

[Lindsay Stratton (lstratton)]

Our libraries would love to see this functionality, with the current use case being the ability to add a note about curbside pickup that will display in the hold slip popup and print on the hold slip. (Our libraries are primarily using curbside features integrated into a local app, not the Evergreen curbside module).

[Lindsay Stratton (lstratton)]

Additionally, it would be helpful to have a Notes column in the holds list.