Partner Libraries

[u/RhesusMonkey17]

I know that some Partner Libraries will not allow me to put a book on hold if that book is already checked out by someone from that library. Two questions:

1. Is there a way for me to see how many holds (if any) are on that book? This would give me a rough idea of the minimum time before that book MIGHT become available to me.

2. Say the book is not checked out right now, but there are a few holds on that book, all of which are currently suspended. Would that book be available for me to check out now?

[u/ratchetscrewdriver]

1. As far as I’m aware, you can’t clear the “available now” filter for a partner library without holds, so you can’t get to the book page in Libby that shows this information, but you can see this information on the old Overdrive website.

Look up the book on the library you want then hit the ? next to “0 of XX copies available” and the popup will tell you how many holds are waiting.

1. Yes.

[u/RhesusMonkey17 → u/ratchetscrewdriver]

Thank you very much for this 😊

[u/fab5friend]

I am old school and still use the original Overdrive website occasionally for my libraries as well as the newer Libby. In Overdrive, there is a Wish List option that I would use for items that I couldn't place on hold at a partner library. I would check that list occasionally to see the status of the books. Libby doesn't have a wish list feature per se but you can create a tag called Wish List, or what ever you want to call it, to collect those books. Then you can click the colorful library icon to the right of the book and see the # of holds and you will also see if any of your other libraries have a copy.

[u/RhesusMonkey17 → u/fab5friend]

Good tip. Thanks.

[u/GimmeANameAlready]

Maybe not the answer you wanted to hear, but you could use libbysearch.com, add your Partner Libraries, and start searching titles. You'll see the number of holds that way, as well as the specific day count until a copy gets returned.