Holds at NYPL? (Accord: place, pickup, system)

[mc33433]

How long does it take for something you put on hold to be available for pickup? I haven't done it in ages and don't remember if it's a couple days/ a week/ etc.

[Chava61]

It depends on several factors including if you are picking it up at the same branch where the book is located, if the book is currently out meaning in the possession of another patron and if there are any other holds on the book that was placed before you (meaning those patrons will get the book first and each one can hold the book for 3 weeks after they take the book out of the library and it might be a few days before they pick up the book once they know it is available for them).
I believe your hold will remain in the system for up to a year (assuming others have prior holds on the book) but hopefully you will get the book much sooner.

[mc33433]

Book is located in the same branch as where I requested it. According to the website, no other holds ahead of me and it was currently on the shelf when I placed the hold.

[mf_colon]

I place holds on items all the time, and it never takes more than a week. If it is in the same branch as where you are picking up, then that usually takes 1-3 days (depending on how efficient your branch is at filling holds.) My branch is super fast at getting them on the shelves.

[mc33433]

Thanks. I usually just walk in and go take it off the shelf myself, but decided to try out the hold for once. The website said "ready soon" and I wasn't sure what "soon" meant!