Holds
About Holds
- Place a hold to reserve checked-out material, or to have an item transferred to another library location
- You may have 30 items on hold at a time
- You have 5 days to pick up a hold once you’ve been notified
- You must have the requestor’s library card to check out a hold
What can be placed on Hold?
Holds can be placed through the library catalog on all items except:
- Reference materials
- Magazines
- Kids board books
- eCollection items
- Items at Plaza Branch Library
How do I place a Hold?
Holds can be placed through the library catalog
- Locate your item by title of the item you want
- Click on the “Place Hold” button
- Login to your account
- Choose your desired pickup branch & click “Submit”
- A confirmation message will display
- Problems? Call 703-228-5990
- Holds can also be placed by telephone or at any library location.
How will I be notified about my Hold?
We prefer to send notices by email. When an email bounces back, a telephone call will be attempted the following day. Automated phone notifications are made daily between 10 am to 3 pm weekdays, and between 10 am to 2 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. We will attempt to notify you up to six times. Note: Telephone notification is not functioning at this time
How Can I Receive Text Alerts on My Mobile Phone Telling Me When Holds are Ready?
Log into your Library account, click on “Change My Info” and then follow the instructions under “Text Alerts.”
How do I pick up a hold?
Hold items are kept on open, self-service shelves at all Library locations.
How can I check the status of my Hold?
- Login to your account
- Click on the “Holds” section
- View the status column. The status will reflect your position in queue
- As your hold approaches these statuses may show: “In Transit”, “Hold Being Shelved”, “Ready, must pick up by XXXX”
- Problems? Call 703-228-5990
- Holds can also be cancelled in person, by telephone, or by email
How can I cancel or check the status of my Hold?
- Login to your account
- Click on the “Holds” section
- Check the “Cancel” box next to each title
- Click “Save Changes”
- Problems? Call 703-228-5990
- Holds can also be cancelled in person, by telephone, or by email
I am going out of town. How can I avoid missing my holds?
You can “freeze “any of your pending holds.
- A frozen hold will continue to move up in the queue. If the hold reaches #1, it will remain there
- To freeze your hold: Login to your account, view your holds, check the “Freeze” box next to each title, and click “Save Changes”
- To unfreeze your hold: Uncheck the “Freeze” box next to each title, and click “Save Changes”
How do I request a shelf check?
Shelf checks are non-automated holds on available material for same-day pickup or transfer. Please place your hold online whenever possible.
- Call a Library Location during business hours to request a shelf check
- Be prepared to wait on the line while library staff check the shelves and pull the item
- Shelf-checked items will be held at the library for 48 hours, or transferred to another library for pickup
- Transfers between libraries may take up to three days. You are not notified when the item arrives, but you may call the pickup location to inquire