We do our best to fill your holds as quickly as we can, but we can’t promise they’ll be ready exactly when you need them.
Each copy of an item belongs to a specific library. That library’s users get first priority—just like you get first priority for items owned by our library. Because of this, your spot on the hold list may move up or down.
It’s hard to give an exact wait time, but here are some tips to help manage your holds in both the catalog and app.
Need Something Right Away?
- Call us! A staff member can pull an available item right away and set it aside on the hold shelf for you. Adult and Teen items: 262-532-8920; Audio Visual and Children’s items: 262-532-8915.
- Place holds on multiple formats. Try placing a hold on different versions of the same title, like regular print, large print, CD book, or Playaway. Once one is ready, cancel the others. Or, ask staff to group the holds so the extras cancel automatically once one is filled.
📅 Need It for a Future Date?
- Use the “I don’t need this item before” option when placing your hold in the online catalog. Set the date when you’ll be ready to pick it up.
- You’ll still move up the list, and by the time your date comes, you might be at or near the top.
Going Out of Town or Too Busy?
- Freeze your holds. This keeps your place in line, but you won’t be sent the item until you unfreeze it.
- You’ll still move up the list while it’s frozen. When you’re ready, unfreeze it!
- To freeze: Go to your account, find the hold, click the dropdown menu, and select “Freeze.”
- Do the same in the app by choosing Manage your hold and Suspend item, and choosing a date in the future. Unsuspend from here too.
📦 Hold Statuses
- Waiting or Active – You’re on the list, waiting for a copy.
- Pending – An item is available at a Café library but is not ready for pickup yet.
- Shipped – The item has been sent from another library but has not yet arrived at the pickup library.
- Frozen or Inactive – You’re on the list, but being skipped for now.
- Ready for Pickup or Held – Your item is on the hold shelf, ready to be picked up.
- Not Supplied – There are no items available to fill your hold.
- Unclaimed – Your hold was not picked up and has expired.
- Canceled – Your hold has been canceled.
📌 Important Hold Info
- You can have up to 100 holds at a time.
- Once ready, items stay on the hold shelf for 7 days. Your account and notification will show the last day to pick it up.
- Libraries often add new titles months before they’re published.
- If Menomonee Falls owns the item, we’ll fill your hold before sending our copy to other libraries.
- The number you see in your hold queue doesn’t show your exact place in line. With 24 libraries and multiple copies, you’re often closer than it seems.
- Your hold is ready!!!! This blog takes you through the steps to pick up your holds.
- If an item is held and ready for pickup but you no longer need it, please call staff at the Circulation Desk (262-532-8901) to have the hold canceled.
📱 Try Digital Books, Audiobooks & Magazines!
Libby is a free app to borrow digital content. It’s a great way to add additional titles and formats to your reading adventures.
- You can place 10 holds and check out 10 items at a time.
- No late fees—items return themselves!
- Return early when you’re done so others can borrow them.
- You can freeze or suspend holds in Libby too. When you’re ready, just unfreeze them.
- Our Digital Library goes beyond ebooks, audiobooks and magazines. Take a look today!
Let us know if you have questions—we’re here to help! 📖