Library Catalog > Search Help > Place a Hold
Place a Hold
If the item you want isn't available, you can have it sent to the location of your choice when it is available. This is called placing a hold. You can have up to 15 holds at one time. It usually takes about a week for a hold to arrive unless all copies are in use.
Follow these steps to place a hold:
- Find the item you want and click "Place Hold."
- If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to enter your library card number and PIN. Your PIN is usually the last four digits of your phone number.
- Choose where you want the book delivered or choose to have it mailed to you (for $2.00).
- Click "Submit"
- If you have included an email address with your account information, we will email you when your hold is ready. If you have included a telephone number but no email address, we will call you. If you have included neither an email address nor a telephone number, we will mail you a postcard. Your hold will be held 7 days after you are notified.
Place a hold on multiple items at once
- Create a booklist
- Click "View my list"
- Click "Place holds on saved items"
- Click "Hold all" to place holds on all saved items, or select the items you wish to hold and click "Hold selected"
- You will be notified by email, telephone, or mail when your holds are ready. Your holds will be held 7 days after you are notified.
Some reasons why your hold may be unsuccessful
- You already have a hold on this item.
- You already have this item checked out.
- The item is on the shelf of the library you are in.
- You owe fines.
- You have reached the holds limit (15 items).
- There are no copies available.
- Please ask a staff member for assistance or contact us if you encounter difficulties
Freeze a hold
Use the freeze hold function when you are not ready to pick up an item. A frozen hold will continue to move up the list for that title but it will not be delivered until you unfreeze it. You cannot freeze a hold if copies of the title are available or if your hold is in transit or ready to pickup.
- Check the box under freeze on the right (see image below)
- Click "Update my list"
- If there is not a box to check, you cannot freeze that hold
Unfreeze a hold
- Remove the check from the box under freeze and click "Update my list" to unfreeze a hold. (see image above)
Cancel a hold
- Click in the box in the cancel column to the left of the item you want to cancel. (see image below)
- Click "Update list"
