Library News
"Deliver Later" for OverDrive/Libby Holds
by Reference Librarian 2 | June 1, 2022 at 03:06 PM
In March 2020, OverDrive replaced automatic checkout with new options designed to give you more control over when you receive your holds.
What happened to automatic checkout?
In order to give you more control over your holds, OverDrive has replaced automatic checkout with the "Deliver Later" option.
How does this new holds system work?
When a hold becomes available, you will receive a notification from OverDrive/Libby. You will have 3 days to either:
- Borrow the book and start reading or listening!
- Choose the "Deliver Later" option and select a set time period when you would like the book delivered to you. Once that time period is over, you will be next on the list to receive the book.
For more information on how to use the "Deliver Later" feature, visit these help pages for the Libby app and for the OverDrive website.
What if I don't do anything with my hold?
If the 3-day window ends and you have not chosen to borrow or deliver the hold later, your hold will automatically be set to "Deliver Later" for 7 days. After 7 days, your hold will be active again and you will receive another notification when the next copy is ready to borrow.
This automatic "Deliver Later" only occurs once per hold. If you still do not choose to Borrow or Deliver Later after 7 days, your hold will be canceled.
How will I know when my hold has become available?
As in the past, OverDrive will still send you an email notification when your book is ready to checkout. If you are using the Libby app on a smartphone or tablet, you will instead receive a push notification on your device. For more information on setting up push notifications, visit this Libby help page.
Can I still suspend my hold before it's ready to borrow?
Yes! You can still suspend your hold through the Libby app and the OverDrive website, which will allow you to continue moving up on the wait list without the hold becoming available to borrow. The "Deliver Later" feature allows you to also delay borrowing the book without losing your hold.
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