Where a library has multiple copies of an item and the item records are all attached to the same holdings record, Alma places a recall on the copy that has been on loan the longest and places a hold on the other copies in case one of them is returned first. As these other copies (the non-recalled ones) have a hold on them they cannot be automatically renewed and the users with these copies on loan will receive a courtesy notice asking them to return the item. However as soon as one copy is returned and the request is fulfilled, Alma will then automatically renew the other copies. If one of these other (non-recalled) copies is returned first, Alma uses that copy to fulfil the request.
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