? about books you place on hold at the library

**QuilterMom** · 01-09-2006, 04:27 PM

Once the books you've placed on hold arrive at the library, how many days do you have to pick them up?

Our library system used to give you 5 working days beyond the day they called to let you know the item had arrived. Last October they changed it to 3 days. They just called today to let me know a book I had reserved for our homeschool lessons had arrived and I only have until Wednesday to pick it up (which is technically only giving me 2 days instead of 3). Grrrrrrrrrrr! I hate it - it's making it so much more difficult to patronize the library since the branch we use is not close to our house.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-09-2006, 04:37 PM

Three business days which is a real pain because I have to drive one hour to get them. I've talked to the head librarian though and she is allowing me a few extra days.

That will change once our own library opens, hopefully by the end of Jan.

**Michelle** · 01-09-2006, 04:38 PM

1 week

**celina** · 01-09-2006, 04:40 PM

5 days

**Katybird** · 01-09-2006, 06:11 PM

5 days and if you have a hardship about getting them, they will hold them a bit longer. We have a great library and they will really work with you.

**halo475** · 01-09-2006, 06:49 PM

I don't know of any set time. they will call and let you know they are in./

then if you don't show up to get them within a couple of weeks, they will call again...we have excellent librarians

**Strawberry** · 01-09-2006, 06:52 PM

I get 2 weeks to pick up the book

guest7 · 01-09-2006, 09:10 PM

It depends on the wait list. If there are others waiting in cue- you have a shorter time to pick up.

For instance, a book I reserved for the book club puts me at cue 14. Those other 13 people have 3 days to p/u. That means at a minimum I'll get the book in 13 x 3 days and at a maximum 13 x 3 weeks!! (can't renew if there are people in cue).

But the book that has no one waiting for it- has a week to p/u.
It's only fair and makes sense.

**KKCondrey** · 01-09-2006, 09:29 PM

I think ours is 3 bus. days as well

**Julia Kimber** · 01-10-2006, 02:32 AM

One week!

Julia

**Jeanieb** · 01-10-2006, 08:52 AM

One week here.

**Kimberlina** · 01-10-2006, 11:19 AM

I've no idea. My librarian is really cool and I think she would call me if it got to the point that she was going to send it back.

I generally go in at least once a week, though, so it isn't a biggie. (I can walk there in two minutes.)

Almost all the books I take out are inter-library loan, so I finally told her she didn't need to call me all the time. She was glad, because she would have been calling me several times a week. I can just check on the computer to see if the items are in.

I'll have to check and see if I can find a policy about it anywhere. We are part of a big system with a lot of rules, so I am sure there must be a set time.

**Emerald_Mommy** · 01-10-2006, 11:29 AM

1 week. We go 2-3 times a week anyway so it's not a big deal for us.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 01-10-2006, 08:24 PM

We would hold them longer if we could. We hold them a week right now and that's as much as we can do since we don't have the room. Hoestly, if we held them any longer, we would be hip deep in books!

**eulac** · 01-11-2006, 12:44 AM

Now this is right up my alley. I work on library software for a living.

Sometimes this will change because the library changes the software they use and either they don't know where to set up the new settings or the new software won't let them change it. I've seen it go both ways. For instance, just one setting that can be done in my public library is when the hold is cancelled. As the patron I can set it to whenever I want it to be, but on the software that I work on it's automatically 2 weeks and the library can't change that.

Let your library know that you need more time if you do. Sometimes they have no clue as to what their patrons want or need. You wouldn't believe how much they think their patrons do not know.