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The AIS Desk Staff LibGuide: Hold Shelf Items

The Holds Shelf

How does the Hold Shelf work?

Express retrieval is a free service for UA patrons in which they make a request for an item and the library pulls that item and places on a hold shelf for the patron to pick up. 

Items can be pulled from the following locations:
  • Main Library
  • Weaver Science-Engineering Library (WSEL)
  • Health Sciences Libraries (HSL)

The hold shelf locations that the patron can choose to pickup at are:

  • Main Library
  • WSEL
  • HSL
  • Daniel F. Cracchiolo Law Library

If patrons ever need to change their pickup location, you can make a ticket for them to be routed to ILL/DocDel so that our paging students can move the book to the desired location.

How to Place a Hold

Placing a Hold

Patrons can place a hold using express retrieval. When signed into their library account using their Net ID and Password, they can select the "Request" option within the "Find It" section.

Patrons can choose the library where they want to pick up the item from. 

NOTE:  There are a few items that can't be held (e.g. maps, music CD box sets). 

24-Hour Hold Shelf

The 24-Hour Hold Shelf is separate from the Express Retrieval Hold Shelf. This shelf is located in the Main Library 2nd Floor reception storage area. 

Patrons who do not have a library card are able to place a book on the 24-hour hold shelf so they can return the next day to finish reading. 

When placing a book on the 24-hour hold shelf, include a note with the date and the patron's name. 

This shelf should be checked every morning at opening to ensure books return to circulation. 

Helping Patrons with Holds

Patron believes they have a hold to pick up

If a patron comes to the desk and asks pick up a a book they have on hold, you do the following:

  • Ask them if they received an email telling them that their item was ready for pickup. 
  • If they are able to show their email, you can located the call number at the bottom of the email.  
  • You can assist them with locating the book by the call number or simply show them the call number on their phone if they are comfortable locating the item on their own.  
  • Holds can be processed using the self-checkout station.