Using this electronic catalog would be a lot more efficient if the book title/author, shelf status, and link to a library request form were all on one screen. As it stands, a library request (e.g., recall) requires three steps. very slow... it would also be quicker if less info was required to complete a request form. Why can't you just input a card code or eID rather than name, address, phone number, etc.?
From: Kirk

Mary Ellen Spencer, Head of Research and Reference Services, replies...

Dr. Brown,

Thanks very much for your suggestion regarding a holds feature for the library catalog. We agree with you; in fact, library staff are currently working on a project that will make it possible to place holds directly from our catalog by using your My Library Record account.

The service, as we envision it, will automate much of the process and greatly reduce the number of steps. We anticipate that the new Request Item feature will automatically populate forms for you, drawing information about you from your My Library Record account and information about the material from the catalog itself. While the new procedure will still require a few clicks through the catalog, all of the elements you describe (title, author, status and the link to the form) will all be on the same screen.

We are close to making this new feature operational, but we're not quite there yet. Right now we're conducting "behind the scenes" tests of the new system. The planned workflow will save you time and allow us to process requests more quickly.

Thanks again for your suggestion.