A "hold" means that someone wants to reserve a particular item at the library (a copy of a book, magazine, DVD, CD...etc.) It can be something that is checked in at your local library that you want to have set aside, or it can be an item sent from another library for you to pickup at your local branch. Library Holds
How does the hold system work?
Every morning each library runs a report of all the items placed on hold that it owns. Staff take the requested items off the library shelves, check them in, create a hold slip with the patron's name on it, file the item on the holdshelf or send it on to another branch where the patron wants to pick it up. Notification is sent saying that the item is ready to be picked up. The hold stays on the holdshelf for 7 days. If it is not picked up after 7 days, the item is taken off the holdshelf and sent back to the library where it came from or sent on to another patron who has placed a hold on it.
How long does a hold take? If an item is checked in at the branch where you want to pick it up, it is best to call that branch and have them pull the item from the shelf right away. If the item is checked in at another library it usually takes about 3-4 days for the item to get to the branch where you want to pick it up. It takes time for the library to pull it off the shelf, send it by truck to our shipping and sorting facility, send it by truck to the library where the patron wants to pick it up, and have a staff member put it on the holdshelf.
Sometimes you will notice you are "6 of 14 holds" on a DVD and there are 3 copies. What does that mean to you? It means that you are 6th in line for the item and there 8 people in line waiting behind you. There are 3 copies and they are all checked out for 7 days. Five people have to return the item before it is your turn. Once and item is checked in it takes about 3-4 days to get to the next person, that person has 7 days to pick it up, and can check it out for 7 days. So, it may take about 3-4 weeks for you to get your hold. If you want to know more about how to best estimate how long it will take for you to get an item on hold, please ask a staff member.
There is the option to freeze a hold. This is if you want the item, but are not ready for it yet. Maybe you are going on vacation or you are overwhelmed with other books to read. Have a frozen hold means you are still in line for the item, but it will not come to you until you re-activate or unfreeze the hold.Freezing a Hold
Why are holds important? It means you have access to every item in the in the King County Library System - all 43 branches! If you don't find the item you are looking for at your local library, you can place it on hold and have it sent to you from another branch.
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