Circulation Student Guide

Patrons may request items in the collections be placed on hold for them. These items will be on hold for 5 days. If the patron has not retrieved the item after five days the hold will be cleared and the item will be returned to the collection

Patron hold requests need to be checked and processed throughout the day.

New Holds

1. In the circulation tab go to "Reports" and choose "Pull List". The pull list is new requests that show as available in the system. 
2. After pulling the titles, in the left panel, click Check In.
3. Scan in the barcode (or type the barcode and click Check In).
4. The Action column should display Hold. When this happens the following will occur.
   1. The item's status changes to On Hold
   2. Item is removed from the Pull List
   3. An email is automatically sent to the individual who requested the hold. 
   4. Put the item on the hold shelf for pickup.

For more information on fulfilling holds here is OCLC's help page. 

Expired Holds

1. In the circulation tab go to "Reports" and choose "Clear Hold Shelf". These are all items whose hold period has expired. 
2. Remove the books from the hold shelf, in the left panel, click Check In
3. Scan in the barcode (or type the barcode and click Check In).
4. If the book doesn't have any other holds, the action column will read "Reshelve" and the item can go back into the collection. If another hold is on the item it will be triggered by the check-in and the action column will read "hold" and should be put back on the hold shelf for the next person who will be notified that their hold is ready for pickup. 

For more information on clearing the hold shelf, here is OCLC's help page. 

Sometimes faculty will ask those items they order be placed on hold for them. Below is the workflow for processing these holds.

1. On the left panel, use Discover Items to retrieve the item. On the Copies screen, in the upper right corner, click Holds.
2. On the Holds screen, click Hold Request. The Create New Hold Request window shows the title of the item and a default Pickup location.
3. From the Create New Hold Request window, change the settings as needed.
   • Hold - To set an expiration date, click the calendar button and select a date. As of 10/2020 the policy is that holds stay on the shelf for 7 days. 
   • Notes (optional) - Provide additional details about the patron's request before and/or after the hold has been fulfilled. 
4. In the Patron box, scan or type the patron barcode.
   To search for a patron, click Find. The Search for Patron window appears with the patron listed in the Patron box. Click the patron name to select it.
5. Click Save Changes. 
   • If no holds accepted on the item:
     • If the item cannot be placed on hold, an alert message appears. Depending on your account, you may have to enter an override. To place the hold, click Acknowledge. See Circulation Account roles, Overrides for more information.  
6. This will place the book on the pull list. Take it to the circulation desk to be checked in which will let the instructor know that the item is available for pickup.