Holds Questions and Answers

  1. How can I tell how many holds are on my list?
    On the opening view of your online “My Account,” your “items checked out” and “hold requests” totals are listed on the right side.
    holds notification screenshot

  2. As of January 2, 2010, the holds limit for each patron account changes from 50 to 20. What happens if I have more than 20 holds in my list when the limit changes?
    You will not lose any holds from your list. For example, if you have 25 holds—all 25 holds will still be on your list however, you will not be able to place any additional holds until you reduce your list through checkout or cancelling titles. Once you have 19 holds on your list, you will be able to place one additional hold. If you have 18 holds on your list, you may place up to two new requests, etc.

  3. Sometimes I get several of my holds ready to pick up at the same time. Is there a way I can control when items are held for me?
    Yes. Use the online “suspend/re-activate” holds function to better control getting your holds when you can use them. You do not lose your place in line by using the suspend feature. The original time stamp when you placed the hold stays with the request. When a hold is reactivated, it goes back into the line in relation to the time stamps for other patrons' holds. See Suspending and Reactivating Holds for directions.

  4. Can I suspend my turn and keep my place in line once the item becomes ready to pick up (“Held”)?
    No. Once a title is processed for a hold (in "Shipped" or "Held" status), the request is filled and cannot be suspended.

  5. I use my holds list to store the titles that I might be interested in receiving. Usually I have more than 20 items. Is there another way to keep a list of items that I want besides the holds list?
    Yes, you can save titles in a “My List” in your online account. Lists are interactive with the library catalog so you can click the title and place a hold easily. See Creating a List of Titles for instructions.

  6. Can I place a hold on an item that is not in the library collection yet?
    Yes. As soon as the item has been ordered by the library, you may place a hold. You can use the “Saved Search” feature in your library account to alert you via email when an item has been added to our collection. The email includes a link to the catalog so you can easily click and place a hold. You may keep several “Saved Searches” using specific authors, titles or broader subjects. See Creating Saved Searches for more information.

  7. How many holds are processed for pickup every day?
    The 2009 daily average for holds ready for pickup is 1,113.

  8. How many holds do not get picked up?
    The 2009 daily average of holds not picked up after 7 days is 144 or 12-13% of the total holds processed for pickup. We would like to reduce this number. When a title is on the hold shelf for 7 days no one is enjoying it, and frequently other patrons are waiting for that popular title. If you no longer want a held item, please call the library Checkout Desk at 349-3090, so we may release the title to the next patron.

  9. Why is the library making changes to the holds system?
    The goal of our holds service is to provide equitable access to circulating items in a sustainable manner. Given the limits on library funding, we cannot sustain the growth in holds that we are experiencing.

    • Last year, holds increased by 23%.
    • This fall, we set a record of processing 2,133 holds for pickup in one day.