Overdrive has announced some changes to the way holds are suspended for Libby items:
- You will no longer be able to select an end date for your hold suspension. Instead, you will simply choose to suspend or unsuspend a hold.
- Holds will no longer unsuspend automatically after 7 days; if you miss checking out your hold on its first delivery, it will be suspended until you unsuspend it.
- Holds are automatically canceled if they’re suspended for 365 consecutive days.
- Libby and OverDrive library websites will show an alert or countdown on suspended holds that are close to being canceled. This alert will appear when there are 30 days remaining before the suspended hold is canceled.
There will be no change to existing active holds. Holds that are currently suspended will be updated to have an indefinite suspension period. If suspended holds have not been unsuspended after 365 days, they will be canceled.
You can suspend as many holds as you like, up to your card’s hold limit. There’s no limit to the number of times an individual hold can be suspended and unsuspended.
Overdrive is making these changes in an effort to create a more efficient experience for users:
- Users are not offered a hold again until they’re ready for it.
- Copies of holds are freed up for users deeper in wait lists.
- Unwanted holds will sit unclaimed for less time.
The above changes will take effect in mid-September.
