Computer and Library Learning (Archived)

With summer vacation fast approaching, it is a good time review the tools available for managing your holds.  After all, you do not want your hold on the Hunger Games or Fifty Shades of Grey to arrive at your branch while you are away.

Try to have a look your list of holds a week or two before you go – before any of your requests are 'in transit' to your branch.   Holds can be suspended for a period of time, have their expiry date changed or made inactive.

To have a look at your list of holds, sign into your account on the library's website.  Click on the button in the upper right-hand corner of any page of the website then enter your full library card number (no spaces) and your PIN.   Click on the Holds tab to see your list of holds.

Change the Expiry Date:

When a hold is created, the expiry date is automatically set to two years from the date the hold was placed.  However, if there is a date after which you will not need a hold, you can change the expiry date.  If the hold does not arrive at the branch by the expiry date, the hold will automatically be cancelled.

Check the boxes beside the items for which you want to change the expiry date and enter the new date into the "Expiration date:" box in the More Options section, at the bottom of your holds list. 

Use the calendar button to the right of the box to help you select the date.  Click on Submit. 

Suspending Holds:

If you are out of town for a specific period of time and want to make sure that your holds do not arrive while you are away, you can suspend your holds for just the period you are away.

A suspension has a start date and an end date, after which your holds will begin to arrive again (well, at least when it's your turn).  While your hold is suspended, you will keep your place in the hold list.

On Holds tab of Your Account, check the boxes beside the items for which you want to be suspended.  Enter the start date and end date in the appropriate boxes in the Suspend section of the More Options section at the bottom of your holds list.  Click on Submit.

Have a look at your list of holds again.  You will see the dates of the suspension listed in the Status column.

Making Holds Inactive:

If you want to make sure that your holds do not arrive and you do not have a specific date after which they can start arriving again, then you can make your holds Inactive.  However, you will have to remember to make them active again once you are ready to receive them.    Like a hold suspension, you will maintain your place on the holds list.  The hold will stay on your account until the expiry date.

From the Holds tab in Your Account, check the boxes beside the items which you want to make inactive.  Click on the button (there is one above the holds list and one below the holds list).  Have a look at your list again.  Those items will be listed as 'Inactive' in the Status column.

When you are ready to receive your hold(s) again, return to the Holds tab in Your Account, check the boxes beside the items which you want to make active and click on the button.  Have a look at your list again.  Their status will have been changed back to 'Active'.

Hold Notices

If you receive Hold Pickup Notices by email, a link to instructions on managing your holds is included in every notice.  Click on the 'how to manage holds' link to find out more.

Detailed instructions for managing your holds is always available in the Using the Library section of the website.  Here are some links to some of the information you can find there.

• Placing Holds
• Manage Your Holds (includes changing pick up location, changing expiry date and cancelling holds)
• Holds Pickup and OverDue Notifications.