- Long context: We have a number of items in our collection that are not for loan, but are available for reference. Some of them are in our closed stacks. (see Use Case in bug #35299 ) In order to consult those, our users should be able to place a hold on them from the OPAC. I am able to fix that for items that have an item type that is normally for loan by setting the "952$7 - Not for loan" status to a negative value, e.g. "-2" (from the authorized values NOT_LOAN). However, instead of setting a not for loan status for each item individually, we work with certain item types that are always not for loan on the item type level (by checking the "Not for loan" box in Administration > Item types). The "952$7 - Not for loan" status for these is "0" and it doesn't help to change it to "-2", as the not for loan status is apparently stored elsewhere because of the item type. So, a hold cannot be placed on these items. We could make the item type for loan and change the status for each item individually, but that creates other issues. E.g. during Covid time items could not be consulted in the library, so all items where exceptionally made available for loan. This was 'easy' to do, as we just needed to add a specific circulation rule for those item types and then uncheck the box for the item type to make it for loan. Afterwards we just needed to tick the box again. It has happened another time because of other exceptional circumstances that we needed to make all items temporarily for loan and it might happen again in the future. - Enhancement request: Is it possible to add an extra option to the 'not for loan' status on item type level for items that are not for loan but holdable?
Additional issue when changing individual items to a negative not for loan status (e.g. -2): the OPAC search results will display the availability of the item as "Not available" (in red) instead of "Items available for reference" (in green). I think I saw a bug on this, but can't seem to find it anymore now.
I believe there might be other bug reports about this - adding Michaela as she has a similar requirement.
I think many libraries are interested in a feature for allowing users to place holds on reference books in closed stacks. As far as I know the French user group KohaLa has already contacted BibLibre and there is some work in progress. I add Sonia, Laurence and Julian , maybe they can answer better if this bug corresponds to the planned feature for 'Demande magasin'