Posted by Meredith on Friday, Feb 26, 2016
Just in time for spring break, the Iowa City Public Library added a new service, Freezing Holds, that will enable patrons to manage their holds.
Library patrons may have 10 free holds at one time, with requests filled on a first come, first serve basis. Holds, or reserves, can be placed on materials checked out to other patrons, or on materials checked in and available, which a staff member will pull and put on the Holds shelf. Patrons are notified when their requested materials are available, and given a six-day window to visit ICPL to check out the items.
Beginning March 1, Library patrons can delay when requested items are ready to be picked up by freezing the hold. For example, if you are going on vacation and don’t want to miss getting your requested items, you can freeze the hold before you leave, and then unfreeze it when you return. Patrons can do this by logging into their account, and selecting the item or items they want to freeze or unfreeze.
A freeze cannot be placed once a patron has received notification that an item is available for pickup.
“The Library had 146,917 hold requests in fiscal year 2015,” Community and Access Services Coordinator Kara Logsden said. “Giving the option to freeze holds improves customer service and helps patrons not miss out on a hold if they are traveling or need to postpone when a hold is available.”
For more information, contact the Library at 319-356-5200.