Overview
Hold Queue lets members reserve checked-out items. They wait in a fair queue until the item is returned.
Key Benefits
- Fair FIFO queue system
- Members see their queue position
- Flexible fulfillment modes
- Recall system speeds up returns
- Collection development analytics
Plans Required
Available on: Basic Pro, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Unlimited
Not on: Basic (Free)
Quick Start
- Dashboard → Manage → Preferences
- Click Hold Queue tab
- Check "Enable hold queue"
- Click Save
Key Settings
| Setting | Options | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Hold Quota | 1–Unlimited | 5 |
| Hold Expiration | 7–180 days | 180 |
| Pickup Window | 1–14 days | 7 |
| Fulfillment | Auto / Notify / Manual | Auto |
| Recall | On / Off | Off |
Hold Types
Title-Level Hold
Any copy. Auto-set when searching ISBN/title.
Copy-Level Hold
Specific copy. Auto-set when scanning accession number.
Hold Statuses
- Waiting — Waiting for availability
- Ready — Available for pickup
- Fulfilled — Checked out
- Expired — Time limit passed
- Suspended — Paused (keeps position)
- Cancelled — Cancelled
How It Works (Auto Assign Mode)
- Member places hold
- Item returned → System checks for holds
- First hold marked "Ready"
- Member notified (email)
- Member picks up within pickup window
- Hold "Fulfilled"
Fulfillment Modes
Auto Assign
Automatically goes to next member. Fast, minimal staff work. Recommended.
Notify & Confirm
Member confirms receipt via email link or dashboard. Flexible, member decides.
Staff Manual
Staff manually assigns each hold. Most control, most labor. Best for small libraries.
Configuration Suggestions
These are suggested configurations based on common library types. Adjust settings to match your library's specific needs.
| Setting | Academic | Small Public | Large Public |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hold Quota | 2 | 3 | 5–10 |
| Hold Expiration | 30 days | 60 days | 180 days |
| Pickup Window | 2 days | 5 days | 7 days |
| Fulfillment Mode | Auto Assign | Staff Manual | Notify & Confirm |
| Enable Recall | Yes | No | Yes |
| Best For | Fast circulation for time-sensitive course materials | Personal touch with direct staff communication | Automation + flexibility for high-volume operations |
For Staff
View & Manage Holds
- View: Dashboard → Circulations → Hold Queue
- Filter: By status (Waiting, Ready, Expired, etc.)
- Search: By title, ISBN, member name
Hold Actions
- Suspend: Pause hold, keep queue position
- Activate: Reactivate suspended hold
- Cancel: Remove hold from queue
- Mark Ready: Manually assign item
Hold Shelf: Dashboard → Circulations → Hold Queue → Hold Shelf (view items ready for pickup, color-coded by urgency)
For Members
Place Hold
- Search catalog for item
- Click item title
- Click "Place Hold" (visible when all copies checked out)
- Optionally select specific copy
- Click Submit
View Holds
Go to My Account → My Holds
Shows: Title, Hold Type, Queue Position, Status, Pickup Deadline
Manage Holds
- Suspend: Pause hold, pick resume date
- Activate: Reactivate paused hold
- Cancel: Remove hold
Advanced Features
Hold Demand Analytics
Go to Dashboard → Circulations → Hold Queue → Hold Demand
View top 50 high-demand items in your collection. Use for purchasing decisions and collection development.
Recall System
When enabled, shortens current borrower's due date when the first hold is placed. Encourages earlier return of high-demand items.
⚠️ Important: Recall triggers only on the first hold. Subsequent holds on the same item do NOT trigger additional recalls.
Notifications
- Hold Placed — Confirmation when member places hold
- Hold Ready — Item available for pickup
- Recall Alert — Current borrower notified of shortened due date
- Hold Expired — Hold timed out (if enabled)
Troubleshooting
Hold Not Appearing in Member Account
Cause: Member reached hold quota limit
Fix: Increase quota in Preferences or ask member to cancel existing hold
Item Not Fulfilling in Auto Assign Mode
Cause: Item has pending work orders (lost, damaged, in processing)
Fix: Check item status and clear work orders
Members Not Confirming in Notify & Confirm Mode
Cause: Email missed or filtered, member forgot to confirm
Fix: Resend notification manually or check email logs
Ready Hold Not Expiring
Cause: Pickup deadline hasn't passed yet
Fix: System auto-expires when deadline passes. Staff can manually cancel if needed.
Summary
Hold Queue: Fair, transparent FIFO reservations with flexible fulfillment modes. Setup takes 5 minutes in Preferences.
Next Steps
- Enable Hold Queue in Dashboard → Manage → Preferences
- Test with title-level and copy-level holds
- Enable Recall system for popular items
- Review Hold Demand page for collection development
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