We’re featuring a NoveList/Evergreen mashup tip this month: author pages + hold groups.
You most likely have popular authors whose books fly off your “new arrivals” shelves, or that don’t even make it to the shelves before the holds queue is 15 deep.
One way to distribute holds amongst groups of ardent C.J. Box or Danielle Steel fans is to use the “hold groups” function in Evergreen. This works well for book clubs!
Holds Groups are easy to use, especially if you’re already familiar with User Buckets!
New holds groups can be created through Circulation > Hold Groups > New Hold Group.
You’ll name the group, provide a brief description, and then choose the owning library. The last step is to decide whether you’d like the group to be visible in patrons’ “My Account.”
Once you create the holds group, you can add patrons by scanning or typing their barcode. You can also do an integrated patron search from the hold group interface.
Most authors have their own page in NoveList with all available titles, series, and audiobooks listed, along with read-alikes and listen-alikes.
When you get an author alert about a newly published title (remember, you can create an alert for any author right on their page to get an email when anything new is added) you can check the catalog for the bib record and place a group hold!
There are two ways to place a group hold:
A new library setting allows for hold placement times to be randomized among list members for fair distribution: Administration → Local Administration → Library Settings Editor → Randomize group hold order
If you would like this setting updated, or if you need any assistance with hold groups, please submit a support request!
This month, we want to thank all the amazing library staff who help us keep the ChiliPAC catalog cover images fresh!
Some of our most dedicated cover art uploaders:
- Mariann Kmetz – Parkland Community Library
- Nicole Heyer – Pike County Public Library
- Ian Sheddan – Easton Area Public Library
- Kyle Bower – Green Free Library
Your hard work benefits all SPARK libraries 😊
If you come across a record with an incorrect or missing cover image, or if you’d like your own ChiliFresh admin account, you can always submit a support ticket.