Overdrive and Libby have made some changes to the hold delivery system, which should reduce wait times for ebooks and eaudiobooks.
When a hold becomes available for you, you'll now have the option to borrow it or have it delivered later. The "deliver later" option keeps you at the front of the wait list but passes that copy of the title to the next person in line. This feature gives you more control over your holds, so you can borrow and read titles when it's most convenient for you.
The auto-checkout option for holds has been removed. Instead, all users can go to their Holds page to borrow available holds.
Your OverDrive or Libby app now has a notification section to alert you about available holds. You WILL still receive email notifications about your holds.
Want to learn more? Check out the release notes from OverDrive:
What is hold redelivery?
In March, we’re introducing a new option for available holds in your library’s OverDrive collection: hold redelivery (or the “Deliver later” option). This feature gives users more control over their holds, so they can borrow and read titles when it’s most convenient for them.
To support this feature, the automatic hold checkout setting will be removed from your library’s OverDrive collection. Any current holds will be updated to remove that setting, meaning users will need to manually borrow them when they’re available.
How does hold redelivery work?
When a hold becomes available, a user will receive a notification and have 3 days to pick up the hold.
The user can then borrow the hold, have it delivered later, or cancel it.
When a user chooses to have a hold delivered later, they pick the earliest possible date to receive the title, keep their place in line, and pass the copy to the next person in line.
After the “deliver later” date, the user will receive the next available copy.
If a user takes no action during the hold pickup window, the “deliver after seven days” option will be automatically applied as a one-time courtesy.
If the user takes no action a second time, their hold will be canceled.
What are some benefits of hold redelivery?
Users can borrow and read titles when it’s convenient for them.
Wait lists will move more efficiently as users pass books to the next person in line.
The next user in line will be delighted when the user ahead says, “not now.”
How else can I manage my holds?
Users can still use the “suspend hold” feature before holds are ready to borrow. Hold suspension lets the user continue moving up on the wait list without the hold becoming available to borrow. This means users can now manage their holds before and after they become available, giving even more flexibility and control.
I still have questions!
OverDrive made a cool video to help explain the hold redelivery situation. Watch it here!
Read more FAQs about holds on Libby Help (for Libby) or on OverDrive Help (for your OverDrive website or the OverDrive app). Don't hesitate to contact the library with questions, and enjoy your books!
