Library FAQs

HOLDS (Request materials)

You can request (place a hold) on any titles in the Contra Costa County Library catalog, with the exception of non-circulating materials.  Titles that have available copies on the shelf may be sent from one Contra Costa County Library location to another. This is a free service. 

How Long Does it Take to Get a Hold?

It may take a few days for the requested item to be transported to the requested pickup location.  If there is a hold queue, you may have to wait until it's your turn. All requests are first come, first serve.

To Place a Hold on an item:

• Use the Visual Catalog or Classic Catalog to search for a title.
• Click on the title to view the full record.
• Click the "Place Hold" button in the Visual Catalog or "Place hold"on the left menu of the Classic Catalog
• Enter your Library card barcode number and last name then click "enter."
• Choose the Community Library where you want to pick up the requested material.
• You should see the message "Your hold has been placed."
• We will contact you when the item is ready for pick-up.

You can suspend/reactivate a hold through the Visual Catalog.

Find Your Place in the Holds Queue:

1. Log in to your account
2. Click "holds"
3. You'll see your place in the hold queue for each title.

How To Change the Pickup Location

Staff can change the pickup location for you. Please contact library staff for assistance.

Notification that Holds are Ready for Pickup

The Library will provide an email, SMS (text message), automated phone message, or a letter through U.S. Mail when your item is ready for pick up.

Sign Up for Text or Email Notices

You can receive text and/or email courtesy notices when holds are ready, before items are due, and when items are overdue. We recommend you sign up for all of the following services:

• Add / change your email address to receive email courtesy notices from the Library (add libnotices@ccclib.org to your address book or spam filter settings). Otherwise, you will receive automated phone calls.
   
• Opt-in for text (SMS) hold notices. 
  This can be done either with staff assistance or you may do it online via theVisual Catalog:
  1. Log in to Visual Account in upper right hand corner of 
      Visual Catalog page.
  2. Select Account Summary tab.
  3. On left menu, select Opt-in & Notifications.
  4. Select Change Contact Info to update cell phone number and associated     carrier/wireless provider.
   
• Signup for LibraryElf - a 3rd party service we subscribe to, on your behalf, so you may: 

-consolidate your family's library cards
-receive text (SMS) notices
-receive courtesy email at an alternate email address, etc.

How do I Check the Status of My Request?

Check your library account online:

1. Log in to your account
2. Click "holds"
3. The status of the item will say "ready for pickup." If the item is not picked up by the date shown, it will be sent back.
4. "Intransit" means the item is being transported from one location to another but IS NOT READY for pickup.

Hold Shelf

Holds are kept on the hold shelf for 7 days.

If you no longer wish to borrow the requested material, for the benefit of other library users, please take steps to cancel your hold.

If someone else will be picking up your holds, they must present your library card. 

Hold Limits

You are allowed 100 holds at any given time, including 10 LINK+ items on request, but not yet checked out.

How to Cancel a Pending Hold

1. Login to your Library account
2. Click "holds" 
3. Click the title to cancel
4. Click "Cancel this hold" in the blue column on the left

To Cancel a Hold that is "Intransit" or "Ready for Pickup":

If the status is "intransit --> sent" please wait until the status is "Ready for Pickup" then follow these steps:

Cancel it online. The link is also provided on email courtesy notices the Library sends you. Or, contact the Community Library pickup location by phone to let staff know you don't need the item.

4008 views   |   Last updated on Jan 31, 2017    Holds read more