Managing Your Holds

Several options are available in Your Account to help you manage your holds effectively. In your Still On Hold List, select Edit to the right of the title.

Managing individual holds

In your Still On Hold List, click on the Edit link to the right of the item.

Managing multiple holds

To change the settings for several or all of your holds, select the holds you want to change using the checkboxes and then click the Hold Options link.

Hold options

The Hold Options menu gives you access to the options for managing your holds.

Cancel a hold

Canceling a hold deletes your request for the item and removes you from your position in the waiting list.
The action of canceling a hold can't be undone.
You can cancel a hold at any time - when you're on the waiting list, when the hold is in transit, or when the hold is available for pickup.
When your hold is ready for pickup, you have 7 days to pick it up or cancel it. If you're not going to be able to pick up your hold, you must cancel it before 9:00 p.m. on the expiry date to avoid the Holds Not Picked Up fine (adult cardholders 18+).

Make a hold inactive

Setting a hold to inactive is a way to tell the library you don't want it delivered yet, even if a copy is available.
Holds can only be made inactive when they are in your "Still on hold" list. Once a hold is in transit or ready for pickup, you no longer have the option to set it to inactive.
You will keep moving up on the waiting list during the time your hold is inactive.
When you decide you want to get the item, you have to switch the hold back to active in your account.

Suspend a hold (set specific dates)

Suspending holds is a convenient feature when you know you're going to be out of town for a specific period of time (e.g., when you're going on vacation).

Suspending a hold is the same as making it inactive, except you can specify a time period.
You can choose a start date and an end date for the hold to be suspended. The hold's status will automatically change at 12:00:01 a.m. on the dates you specify.
At the end of the suspension period, your hold automatically becomes active again.
Holds can only be suspended when they are in your "Still on hold" list. Once a hold is in transit or ready for pickup, you no longer have the option to suspend it.
You'll keep moving up on the waiting list during the time your hold is suspended.

Change a hold's pickup location

If you change your mind about where you want to pick up your hold, you can change the pickup location in your account.
You can only change the pickup location for holds in your "Still on hold" list. Once a hold is in transit or ready for pickup, you need to contact the branch to have it sent to another location.
You can pick up holds at any of the library's 100 branches or on the Bookmobile.

Screenshot of how to change hold pickup location

Change a hold's expiry date

The expiry date is the date when a hold will automatically be canceled and deleted from your account. The default expiry date is two years from the date when you originally placed the hold.
If you have a deadline and know you know you won't need an item after a specific date, you can change the expiry date.
You can't extend an expiry date beyond 2 years from today's date.

Screenshot of how to change hold expiry date

Don't miss your holds

When one of your holds is ready for pickup, the library will notify you by email or telephone.
Manage your notification settings online or speak to staff at your branch.

A $1.00 fine will be charged for adult cardholders (18+) for every hold that is not not picked up or cancelled before the expiry date.