With the implementation of PINs the preferred method for placing holds is for patrons to do it themselves through the OPAC. This is, however, not always the best customer service practice at the desk. 

The implementation of PINs means that for staff to place a request on the patron’s behalf, they will either need to place that request through the Sierra desktop module or ask the patron for their PIN at the time of service to place the request through the OPAC. Which method works best for you will likely vary on a case by case basis but since placing holds through Sierra is now the norm rather than an exception, please review the best practices that follow.

First scan the requesting patron’s card into Sierra to verify their account is valid and up to date before attempting to place any holds. 

There are two types of holds or reserves in Minerva: Title-Level Holds (also known as Bib-Level Holds or Copy Returned Soonest Holds) and Item-Level Holds:

• Most holds should be placed as bib-level holds, with limited exceptions. This method ensures that your patron will receive the first available copy of a title; if there is a long waiting list, your patron will get your item(s) first even if patrons from other libraries have been waiting longer.

 

• If the volume field was used in the item record because there are multiple volumes attached to one bibliographic record, you must place an item-level hold by clicking “Hold Selected Items”. The system will not force an item-level hold like the OPAC will. If you accidentally place a bib-level hold on a record with volume fields the hold will still be fulfilled, however the system defaults to the first item within the record, not any specific volume you may have intended to request. 

If there is a volume field in an item record where there are no actual volumes being indicated (ex. just noting which number a book is in a series), contact the cataloger at that library and ask them to edit their item record to remove the volume field.

To place a hold through Sierra:

The Search/Holds Tab:

1. Enter the title or author of the item
2. Select a bib record that includes a [local library] copy, or if [local library] does not own, select the record with the greatest number of items attached
3. Go to tab → Bib Level Holds
4. Click → Add Patron
5. Select barcode or patron name from the drop down menu
6. Scan the patron’s barcode or type in their name
7. The “Place a Title-Level Hold” screen will pop up
8. Click → Ok
9. Select → Page for Title when that screen pops up – the item is now on hold

The Check Out (Circulation Desk) Tab:

1. Type in the patron’s name or scan in their barcode
2. Go to the Holds tab
3. Select → Add Holds
4. Enter the title or author of the item
5. Select a record that includes a [local library] copy, or if [local library] does not own, select the record with the greatest number of libraries
6. Select → Hold Copy Returned Soonest
7. The “Place a Title-Level Hold” screen will pop up
8. Click → Ok
9. Select Page for Title when that screen pops up – the item is now on hold

Once an item is placed on hold, patrons are notified by the automated system or by library staff. Items are placed on the hold shelf for one week and should be cleared regularly by the Hold Cancellation Notices.