On parcel.pl we show a count of holds on a bib for pending orders, however, after receiving an order we show a count of holds on the order items specifically. I think we should show both number, something like: 0(3) or 0 (3 on title) or 0 on order items (3 on title) depending on recommended verbosity/
Although not impossible, in our workflow it would be rare for an on order item to have an item-level hold. We do not assign barcodes until items are received and catalogued. For us, the main purpose of being able to see the holds at the time an item is received is to know whether or not to give it priority processsing. For this purpose, it doesn't matter whether the holds are bib- or item-level. The total number of holds is sometimes also useful for prioritizing. What is not useful is when the total number of holds is mulitplied by the item number. Any of the suggested ways of showing the holds would work. The first is most succinct, and as long as everyone knows the difference between the number in and outside of the parentheses, that's fine. The second option is short, and perhaps less open to misinterpretation, so that is the one I would choose.
*** This bug has been marked as a duplicate of bug 19812 ***