Floating collections in Koha

Floating

There are two places where libraries can define whether an item floats

The first is the Default checkout, hold and return policy. The second is the Default holds policy by item type. The Default holds policy by item type overrides the Default checkout, hold and return policy.
  1. Default checkout, hold and return policy
    1. You can set a default maximum number of checkouts, a default maximum number of holds, and a hold policy that will be used if none is defined below for a particular item type or category. This is the fallback rule for defaults.
    2. Under the column Return Policy, you have 3 options to choose from.
      1. Item returns home
      2. Item returns to issuing branch
      3. Item floats (when an item floats, it stays where it was checked in and does not return to its home library unless for a hold or manual transfer)
  2. Default holds policy by item type
    1. You can edit hold and return policies for a given item type, regardless of the patron’s category.
    2. Under the column Return Policy, you have 3 options to choose from.
      1. Item returns home
      2. Item returns to issuing branch
      3. Item floats (when an item floats, it stays where it was checked in and does not return to its home library unless for a hold or manual transfer)

Example

For example, you might allow Books or DVDs to float at your library (meaning they can stay at the library they were returned to) but not want New Books or New DVDs to float, instead returning to their home library. You would set the Return Policy in Default holds policy by item type for BOOK or DVD to item floats and NEWBOOK or NEWDVD to item returns home.

Report

If you want to run a report to see where things have floated (i.e. where the item's home library and holding library differ) you can run the report below.

Quote
SELECT *
FROM items
WHERE homebranch != holdingbranch

Library Groups and Floating

In 24.05, you can set up floating rules by library group.

Tutorial Video: How to Float Items in Koha


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