[Publib] Hold embargos on new releases?

[Carl Long]

In my county all new items can only be placed on hold for pickup at the 
library that owns the item. After a certain amount of time new items 
come off "new status" and can be shipped out on hold to any library. We 
also have a "special hold request" that can allow remote hold pickups 
for new items that don't deserve new item status or have been on new 
item status for too long. Sometimes people get upset but when explained 
properly most people understand. Especially when they are made to 
realize that if new item holds could go anywhere their rank on the 
waiting list would suddenly jump from 25 to 125.

Best Regards,
Mr. Carl William Long, M.L.S. (http://carlwilliamlong.googlepages.com)
Reference Librarian II (Email: carl.long at reading.lib.pa.us)
Reading Public Library (http://www.reading.lib.pa.us)
Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Melissa Dease wrote:
>
> Does anyone at a library system put a hold embargo on their new 
> releases? My branch is trying to increase circulation numbers, and one 
> idea is to put new releases or leased books on the shelf for a couple 
> days rather than sending them out for hold requests. We’ve made the 
> observation that we make purchase selections based on what we think 
> OUR patrons would want, but the books often go out to other branches 
> on request for possibly months before they actually appear on our 
> shelves. A hold embargo would give our patrons a chance to pick up the 
> books before they make their way through the request list.
>
> I can see the potential problems this could create, but I’d like to 
> know if anyone has tried to do this or something similar? Did it work 
> or was it a mistake?
>
> **************************
>
> **Melissa Dease**
>
> Adult Librarian - Northeast Branch
>
> Arlington Public Library
>
> 1905 Brown Blvd.
>
> Arlington, TX 76006
>
> 817-277-5573
>
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