Part 1: An introduction to the in-database approach for the configuration of circulation and hold policies. This talk includes a general overview of how these policies work and how to configure them via the staff client, along with some specific working examples. This talk sets the stage for part 2, where advanced technical topics will be addressed.

Brief History

Circulation and hold policies were initially handled using scripts.
Libraries first began implementing in-database (in-db) policies in production with Evergreen 1.6.
By Evergreen 2.0, the in-db approach has become the primary method for new sites moving to Evergreen for implementing policies.
With Evergreen 2.1+, new enhancements added to in-db to provide further options.

How in-db matching works

Policies are configured for both circulation and holds via staff client interfaces.
When creating new events for circulation/holds, the system checks the entries in the database to determine the best matchpoint for the situation at hand.

Circulation / Holds

Copy Fields

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Circulation Modifier
Circulate?
Holdable?
Floating?

Circulation / Holds

Copy Location Fields for circulate and holdable

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Circulation / Holds

Circulation Rules

images/circ_duration_rules.jpg images/circ_recurring_fine_rules.jpg images/circ_max_fine_rules.jpg

Circulation / Holds

Circulation Matchpoints

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Circulation / Holds

Hold Matchpoints

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Circulation / Holds

Other:

Some library settings, such as do not allow renew on items that have holds
Group penalty thresholds, such as blocking patrons on fines

General Suggestions

Avoid unnecessary repetition
Get everyone in your consortium to agree
Haha…..
No, seriously, it’s good to make things more consistent

Finding a match

Lookup patron and item details → patron group? item circ modifier? etc.
Begin checking the circ policies for the closest match

Examples

Two examples of circulation/hold policies

Circulation Example - Simple

This simple example includes a basic set of fields and creates a situation where items with a circ modifier of "book" or "music" can be checked out, but "dvd" items will not circulate. The associated rules would apply during checkouts.

org_unit	grp	circ_modifier	circulate	duration_rule	recurring_fine_rule	max_fine_rule
CONS	Users	book	TRUE	21_day_2_renew	5_cents	2_dollars
CONS	Users	dvd	FALSE	14_day_1_renew	25_cents	5_dollars
CONS	Users	music	TRUE	14_day_2_renew	10_cents	3_dollars

Circulation Example - More Complex

The following examples on the earlier example and adds some more complicated options.

It is still true that "book" and "music" items can be checked out, while "dvd" is not circulated. However, now we’ve added new rules that state that "Adult" patrons of "SYS1" can circulate "dvd" items.

org_unit	grp	circ_modifier	circulate	duration_rule	recurring_fine_rule	max_fine_rule
CONS	Users	book	TRUE	21_day_2_renew	5_cents	2_dollars
CONS	Users	dvd	FALSE	14_day_1_renew	25_cents	5_dollars
SYS1	Adult	dvd	TRUE	14_day_1_renew	25_cents	5_dollars
CONS	Users	music	TRUE	14_day_2_renew	10_cents	3_dollars
SYS2	Users	music	FALSE	14_day_2_renew	10_cents	3_dollars
BR3	Users	music	TRUE	14_day_2_renew	10_cents	3_dollars

Hold Example - Simple

item_owning_ou	requestor	circ_modifier	holdable
CONS	Users		TRUE
CONS	Users	dvd	FALSE
BR1	Users	music	FALSE
BR1	Adult	music	TRUE
BR2	Adult	dvd	TRUE
BR2	Adult	music	TRUE

Hold Example - More Complex

A set of rules to define holdable behavior for sites BR1 and BR2.

Items with a circ modifier of dvd are not allowed to be placed on hold across the CONS level, but then if a staff member places the hold at BR1, the hold is allowed. At BR2, it allows both patrons or staff to place holds on items as long as they choose to pick-up at the owning library.

usr_home_ou	requestor_home_ou	pickup_ou	item_owning_ou	usr	requestor	circ_modifier	holdable
			CONS	Patron	Patron	dvd	FALSE
			CONS	Patron	Staff	dvd	FALSE
BR1	BR1	BR1	BR1	Patron	Staff	dvd	TRUE
		BR2	BR2	Patron	Patron	dvd	TRUE
		BR2	BR2	Patron	Staff	dvd	TRUE

Down the Rabbit Hole:
In-Database Approach for Circulation/Hold Policy Configuration

Brief History

How in-db matching works

Circulation / Holds

Circulation / Holds

Circulation / Holds

Circulation / Holds

Circulation / Holds

Circulation / Holds

General Suggestions

Finding a match

Examples

Circulation Example - Simple

Circulation Example - More Complex

Hold Example - Simple

Hold Example - More Complex

Questions?

Down the Rabbit Hole:In-Database Approach for Circulation/Hold Policy Configuration

Brief History

How in-db matching works

Circulation / Holds

Circulation / Holds

Circulation / Holds

Circulation / Holds

Circulation / Holds

Circulation / Holds

General Suggestions

Finding a match

Examples

Circulation Example - Simple

Circulation Example - More Complex

Hold Example - Simple

Hold Example - More Complex

Questions?

Down the Rabbit Hole:
In-Database Approach for Circulation/Hold Policy Configuration