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Home → Holds Management in Evergreen → Types of Holds → Metarecord Search and Holds

2.5. Metarecord Search and Holds

Last Updated 03/27/2026


Placing Metarecord Level Holds

On This Page

Metarecords compile individual bibliographic records for the same work, utilizing a Fingerprint function in Evergreen to match different formats and identifiers, which helps reduce duplication in search results. Metarecord holds can serve two purposes: to include potential items attached  to duplicate records that need merging, and for patrons interested in various formats of the same item. Patrons can place Metarecord Holds in the OPAC via grouped search or the advanced hold options, allowing the selection of specific formats and languages. Staff can also place these holds through a similar process in the staff client. 

Metarecords are compilations of individual bibliographic records that represent the same work. Evergreen uses a function called the Fingerprint to match records with different formats and identifiers (for example, the Large Print and Regular Print of the same book). The fingerprint is made up of several subfields in teh bibliographic record. This compilation allows for several records to be represented on a single line on the catalog search results page, which can help to reduce result duplications. Both staff and patrons may place these holds from either the staff client (staff only) or the OPAC (any user).

Metarecord holds can be useful in two distinct ways:

  • If there are multiple records for the same item that should be merged but have not been.
  • If a patron is open to different formats of the same item, such as both DVD and Blu-Ray, or both regular print and large print.

Placing Metarecord Holds from the Staff Client

Staff may place metarecord holds for patrons from the staff client. The process is similar.

  1. On the Catalog Search page, select the box to Group Formats/Editions.
    A screenshot of the staff client catalog showing the Group Formats/Editions option (1 of 3).
  2. Conduct your search as normal.
  3. The results will group together multiple records. The icon for each record type will be visible in the results page.
    A screenshot of a metarecord in the search results (2 of 3).
  4. Click the Place Hold Button. Enter the patron's information.
  5. Select the format types the patron wishes to place a hold on by checking the appropriate boxes. If multiple languages are avialable, you may be able to select those as well.
    A screenshot of the format selections in the holds interface (3 of 3).

  6. Click the Place Holds button to finalize the hold.

The same steps may be followed if the hold request originates in the patron account and the staff member searches the catalog after clicking the "Place Hold" button in the patron account.

Show Holds on Bib

Within the staff client, Show Holds on Bib for a metarecord level hold will take the staff member into the Metarecord Constituent Records page.

Placing a Metarecord Hold in the OPAC

Patrons may place a Metarecord Hold through two easily accessible but distince paths in the OPAC:

From a Grouped Search

  1. When conducting a search in the OPAC, check the box to Group Formats and Editions.
  2. Titles with multiple formats will include all relevant format icons.
  3. Click the Place Hold link from the grouped catalog record.
  4. Users who are not logged into their accounts will be directed to the Log in to Your Account screen, where they will enter their username and password. Users who are already logged into their accounts will be directed to the Place Hold screen.
  5. Within the Place Hold screen, select the specific formats the patron wishes to place a hold on.
  6. Some materials may also allow users to select specific languages they are willing to accept.
  7. Continue to enter any additional hold information (such as Pickup Location), if needed.
  8. Click Submit.

Note: Selecting multiple formats will not place all of these formats on hold for the user. For example, a user cannot select CD Audiobook and Book and expect to place both the CD and book on hold at the same time. Instead, the user is implying that either the CD format or the book format is the acceptable format to fill the hold. If no format is selected, then any of the available formats may be used to fill the hold. The same holds true for selecting multiple languages.

From the Advanced Hold Options

When users place a hold on an individual bibliographic record they will see an Advanced Hold Options link within the Place Hold screen. Clicking the Advanced Hold Options link will take the users into the metarecord level hold feature, enabling them to select multiple formats and/or languages.

The Advanced Hold Options link appears beneath the title in the Place Hold screen.

 

Knowledge Tags
metarecord search  /  metarecord hold  / 

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