Hi Zackery, Please see my comments directly below. * When did you implement self-service holds? It's been at least 20 years since we first began offering self-service holds. * How well did your patrons transition to the new hold system? After a small learning curve, it was as is if we had always had this set up. * What have you modified since implementation to make the process easier for patrons and staff? The only thing we modified was the actual hold slip. This was done by reconfiguring our ILS hold slip (we have Innovative's Sierra) as before doing this, we used an excel form to type out the information for the hold slip. * Do you place MeL items on your self-service hold shelf? If so, how do you process those titles to get them ready for the shelf? We have a hold shelf behind our circulation desk for MeL items. We do not feel comfortable placing other library's items on a self-service hold shelf when the items are not part of our RFID security system for library material. * What procedures do you have in place for patrons that need to receive phone calls for holds? We don't have an automated phone system. We do not contact our patrons by phone except for a select few whose accounts are set up with our Adult & Teen Services department email address. They get the email for said patron, and they call them to let them know their hold item is available. To remain in compliance with the Library Privacy Act here in MI, the phone conversation must be discussed in generalities unless the patron provides their library card number than the Librarian that contacts them can give them the title of the item waiting for them. I hope this helps. Anna Pelepchuk Circulation Department Head Bloomfield Township Public Library 1099 Lone Pine Road Bloomfield Township, Michigan 48302 pelepcha@btpl.org<mailto:pelepcha@btpl.org> (248)642-5800 ext. 152 [cid:81ffb525-a245-48a9-bb30-7bf2a005df49] ________________________________ From: Zackery North via Michlib-l <michlib-l@liblists.org> Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2026 1:02 PM To: michlib-l@liblists.org <michlib-l@liblists.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Self-Serve Hold Shelves CAUTION: External Email Hello hive mind! I'm exploring a future service modification to our holds. Specifically, I'm exploring the steps necessary to implement a self-serve hold shelf. I was hoping to get some idea of what the process was like for other libraries and address some of the questions I've already had. We're not an RFID library so we're not looking for those solutions. * When did you implement self-service holds? * How well did your patrons transition to the new hold system? * What have you modified since implementation to make the process easier for patrons and staff? * Do you place MeL items on your self-service hold shelf? If so, how do you process those titles to get them ready for the shelf? * What procedures do you have in place for patrons that need to receive phone calls for holds? We don't have an automated phone system. Thank you in advance for the insights you provide. Kind regards, Zack North (He/They), MLIS Assistant Director St. Joseph / Maud Preston Palenske Memorial Library 500 Market Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085 Main #: 269-983-7167 Direct #: 269-408-4560 librarybythelake.org<http://librarybythelake.org/> Currently Reading<https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/196160279?utm_medium=reading_link&utm_source=email_signature> [Book Cover]<https://www.goodreads.com/user/email_signature_destination/196160279?utm_medium=cover&utm_source=email_signature>
