EXCITEMENT

[laceblade]

OMG SCOTT PILGRIM!!!


Also, can someone please tell me if there is any library etiquette to how many books I can have on hold at the library? For the last three years, I go to the library about twice weekly to get new books from the hold shelf. Any time I hear about anything interesting, I put it on hold. And don't get me started about 20-volume manga series....if they're spread out between libraries, I make them come to me.

I feel a little guilty, but I guess that's the purpose of the system, right? RIGHT?!

Comments

[wrdnrd]

Well, Seattle Public Library actually HAS a limit on the number of holds a person can have at once, so i've never worried about the etiquette of it because i have an institutionally-imposed limit. Not that i have any idea what it is because i've never gotten close to it. I think it might be 50?

[wrdnrd]

Okay, it's 25. Got curious; had to check. Maybe your library has an official hold limit, too?

that would be a yes

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

Our local library has a limit of 75 holds at any one time. Fortunately, this does not include items that are actually sitting on the shelf, waiting to be picked up. I max out regularly, after perusing the "recently acquired" listings that appear on the first of the month.

I think we can check out up to 100 items at once. I haven't bumped up against that boundary, myself.

Re: that would be a yes

[jesse_the_k]

....and there's even a handy workaround for the 75 limit.

The software won't let you add the 76th title once you are logged in, but it doesn't check the total when you log in with a "temporary" hold list.

So, visit the library's page and don't log in. Search for the title(s) you wish to place on hold. When you've made that list, immediately log in. The act of logging in with a hold list adds that list to your previous one. My hold list is at 141 right now.

You have to do all of this in one go, though, because the MPL site logs you out after more than 2 minutes of inactivity.

(My backup strategy is maintaining recommended lists at Worldcat.org. That site lets you define favorite libraries, and make a request to the fave with one link.)

Re: that would be a yes

[takumashii.livejournal.com]

I am in awe. Brooklyn Public Library limits you to 10, and we just upped that from 5 a year or two ago.

Re: that would be a yes

[jesse_the_k]

Well, the list != what I've read. :(

It's quite gratifying, however, to bop around my droll & flist, noting & adding reading/viewing materials. Scratches the accumulative itch without incurring any annoying bills.

Re: that would be a yes

[(Anonymous)]

You're right about being able to hack the limit on that list, which "maxes" out at 100. That list doesn't DO anything though, besides remember a bunch of items for you in one place.

Active hold requests are different, and that limit is solid at 75.

Re: that would be a yes

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

Sorry, forgot to log in before commenting.

Re: that would be a yes

[wrdnrd]

I'm very, very careful about how many library books i have out and for how long after having something of an ideological disconnect with the UW library. A very expensive ideological disconnect. :(

[takumashii.livejournal.com]

As long as you actually go to pick the books up, then please, place as many holds as your library will allow!

It is why we have the system. And the more books you take out, the better the library statistics look.

And the people who look at the statistics look for books that have too many holds to figure out what books they should buy extra copies of, so it's useful information.

[jesse_the_k]

Way cool!

I didn't realize the library could capture that info anonymously, and I know (and deeply respect) that librarians are devoted to privacy of our borrowing histories.