Manchester City Library

Manchester, NH's Online Library

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Hold It! Self-Serve Holds for You.

May 21st, 2011 · 2 Comments · City Library, Main Branch

When you search the library’s online catalog, do you feel like a kid in a toy store? There is so much to choose from, it is hard to stop oneself from going crazy placing holds on things. “Hold fever” has certainly caught on with our customers. At least it is a good fever to have! The problem is that we have reached critical mass in terms of available space behind the circulation desk to store the materials awaiting customer pick- up. To resolve this dilemma, we are joining the ranks of countless libraries across the United States who are making hold materials accessible for library customers to pick up themselves. Below you will find some key information to assist you in this transition. You may have noticed that we have shifted the location of most of our new materials.  The new non-fiction is now shelved in the Reading Room where the internet computers are located, close to the windows that line the front of the building.  New Fiction is now located in the Rotunda along with new large print and new biographies. Books waiting for patron pick-up will be located on the shelving where New Fiction used to be located. Movies, audiobooks, music CD’s and Inter-Library loan materials will continue to be kept at the circulation desk for pick-up. So, how do you find materials waiting for you?  Books will have a slip in them that has the first two letters of your last name, the first letter of your first name, your middle initial, and the last 5 digits of your library barcode. (When you are planning to visit the library, do check to make sure you have your library card with you!) The pick-up slip will also contain the title of the item being held and its barcode.  Once you have gathered all the materials you wish to borrow, please visit the circulation check to check out the items and to pick up any movies, audiobooks or music CD’s that may be waiting for you.
If you are having trouble finding items waiting for you, please do not hesitate to ask a staff person to help you. Our goal is to make this  as trouble-free as possible for our customers. See you at the library!

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2 Comments so far ↓

  • Jess

    I went in yesterday to pick up some held books and was surprised to see the new self-serve area! Works for me, though.

  • admin

    Hi Jess,
    We’re glad that you like the new system we have for library holds! It seems to be working well and response has been positive. Thank you for the kind words and for the feedback.
    See you at the library!
    ~Yvonne~