Change in Holds Service Benefits Onondaga County Public Library Patrons

For Immediate Release:  Syracuse, NY— During the first six months of this year, borrowers from Central Library and branches have picked up 349,640 holds. In an effort to support the widely popular Holds service at the Onondaga County Public Library, a new Holds procedure will take effect on September 1, 2008.
 
Beginning in September, selected new items purchased by each library will be held only for library users who pick up the item at the purchasing library.  Items will be considered “new” for six weeks.  “A significant advantage of the new procedure is that materials will spend more time in the hands of our library patrons and less time in the Delivery System,” said Elizabeth Loftus, Interim Deputy Director for the Onondaga County Public Library.  “Library patrons will also have the satisfaction of knowing that items purchased by “their” library will be made available to them first.”

Patrons will be able to place holds just as they have in the past, but will see that certain items will not be available until the six-week time period has elapsed.  However, patrons will be able to get in line for these items and still place holds on other libraries' materials. 

Information about the new service is being distributed to libraries in Onondaga County.  Patrons can contact their library with specific questions, visit the website information page, or call 435-1900.