DRC Access Mode: Request Only
Request Only puts you in control of who reads your DRC while still making it discoverable. Readers can find the title in the DRC browse page and submit a request, but they don't get access until you (or your auto-approval rules) give the green light.
What is Request Only?
When a DRC is set to Request Only, it appears in the DRC browse page with a Request button. Readers can see the title, description, and metadata, but cannot read or access the title until their request is approved. Each request lands in your Requests tab for review.
This gives you a pipeline: discovery → request → review → access.
How it works
The reader's side
- A reader browsing DRCs finds your title and clicks Request.
- A dialog opens where they can include an optional message to you. The message is their pitch: who they are and why they're interested.
- They click Submit Request. The button changes to Submitted and the reader waits for your decision.
The publisher's side
- Navigate to Manage DRCs and open the Requests tab.
- Each pending request shows: requestor name, organization, role (Bookseller or Librarian), the message they sent, and how many other DRCs they've requested or reviewed on the platform.
- Review the request. Click Approve to grant immediate access, or Decline to send a notification that the request was not approved.
- Approved readers receive an email and can immediately read the DRC.
Auto-Approval rules
Manually reviewing every request can become time-consuming when volume is high. Auto-Approval rules let you define conditions under which requests are granted instantly — no review needed.
What you can auto-approve
- Verified booksellers (via ipage): Any verified ipage bookseller who requests is approved automatically.
- Verified librarians (via ipage): Same instant-approval treatment as the ipage verified bookseller.
- Specific organizations: All members of a named bookstore or library system.
- Specific individuals: Named contacts from your relationship network.
Setting up rules
- In Manage DRCs, open the Auto-Approve settings for the DRC (or configure global defaults under Organization settings).
- Search for an individual, organization, or select an ipage group (Booksellers or Librarians).
- Add the rule. From that point on, any matching request bypasses the review queue and the reader gets access immediately.
When a reader with an auto-approval rule submits a request, they see Approved instead of waiting. The experience is nearly identical to Access Now, but only for pre-qualified contacts.
What readers see after a decision
Approved: The reader receives an email notification and the DRC page updates to show Read. They can start reading immediately.
Declined: The reader receives a notification that their request was not approved for this title. No further detail is shared.
Quick reference
| What | How it works |
| Who can see the DRC | Anyone browsing the DRC catalog |
| How readers get access | Submit a request; publisher approves |
| Auto-Approval available? | Yes — by role, org, or individual |
| Is there an expiry date? | Yes — set it per DRC |
| What happens when declined? | Reader gets a notification |
| Can you switch modes later? | Yes |