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• Library Policies and Procedures

A patron hold is an item from our collection or another library that has been specifically requested by a patron because it was unavailable at the time the request was made. Upon becoming available, the library notifies the patron of its availability. At most branches, patrons may pick up their item and use self check out.

Holding a patron reserve

• The total hold period for a patron reserve is 7 days. This ten day period starts the day the item is routed into the borrowing library. After the 7 day period, the item's status is automatically cleared from the patron's record
• The patron must be notified immediately by phone or email.
• A date and name slip is then placed in the item. The item is then placed on the hold shelf in alphabetical order by patron's last name.
• Items on the hold shelf not claimed should be removed by the tenth day. The item should then be routed to the next requesting location or owning library.
• Extenuating circumstances such as patron in hospital can be taken into consideration and the hold period extended. Note these circumstances on the slip and include the extended hold to date.

Notifying a patron that a hold is available

• The patron must be notified immediately by phone or email. If no phone number or email address is listed on the patron information screen, a post card is immediately sent.
• When calling a patron to notify him/her that a hold is available, the following information should be given:
  • The type(s) and number of items available for pickup
  • The date until which we will hold it
  • The library card used to place the reserve must be presented to pick up a reserved item.
• Staff will not disclose specific information about the items such as the title or subject matter without the card number and verifying information (S.S.N. or D.O.B.)
• Only one phone contact is necessary. If contact is not made after three attempts, staff will send the patron a post card. The pickup date noted on the card should be seven days from the mailing date.

Charging out a hold 

• To charge out a hold, a patron must present either:
  • The card on which the hold was made
  • The card number on which the reserve was made and verifying information (D.O.B.)
  • A person without his/her library card may pick up their own hold only after giving address and verifying information (D.O.B.)
• A hold item may only be charged to the card on which the hold was made. The hold can not be transferred to another patron's card.