Requests for Titles with Separately Barcoded Parts

Some titles in MeLCat have multiple pieces, e.g., multi-volume sets, CDs in sets, books with a CD in a pocket, music scores with parts in a pocket, and books with pocket parts or accompanying materials.

 

When libraries create unique item records with individual barcodes for each piece, MeLCat users need to request each piece separately. Users may not realize they need to make separate requests. Sometimes, libraries can easily lend the pieces separately, and sometimes they will need to keep the sets together.

How should lending libraries handle requests for one part of a set when they want to lend the whole set or they know the user will need the whole set?

Here are recommended options for lending libraries, depending on the situation:

Option 1: Lend only the piece that was requested and wait for the user to request the other pieces. This assumes the lending library can easily lend the pieces separately.

Option 2: Contact the borrowing library to have requests placed for the other pieces. If the patron's library doesn't require the use of a PIN, the borrowing library staff can place the additional requests on behalf of the patron. Otherwise, the borrowing library staff will need to contact the patron to request the additional pieces.

Option 3: Send all the pieces. Checkout the requested piece through MeLCat. Checkout the other pieces using your local ILL procedures, so that they will not show as "available" in your local OPAC or in MeLCat. The paging slip will have the barcode to be used for MeLCat circulation. The borrowing library will need to make sure all pieces are returned. The lending library will need to check all the pieces back in their local OPAC upon return.

Recommended by the MeL Resource Sharing Policies Committee, June 2005.