Pause Requests

Man reading sitting next to luggage.

Going on a vacation or business trip? If you have open requests and will be unable to pick up items for a period of time we encourage you to pause your requests.


How to Pause a Request on e-Books & e-Audiobooks in OverDrive/Libby

There has been a change in the way hold suspensions work in OverDrive/Libby. Now, users no longer select an end date for a hold suspension. Instead, users will manually unsuspend a hold when they’re ready for it. Here is what has changed:

  • You no longer schedule an end date for hold suspensions, you will simply select Suspend.
  • When you are ready to receive a suspended hold, you will manually select Unsuspend.
  • If you miss your hold on its first delivery, it is suspended until you unsuspend it. It no longer unsuspends 7 days later.
  • Holds are automatically cancelled if they’re suspended for 365 consecutive days.

Like before, when a hold is suspended, you will continue to move up the waitlist.

For more information see these help articles from OverDrive/Libby:


How to Pause a Request on Books & Materials in our Catalog

  1. Login to My Account and select On Hold under My Borrowing. On Hold items that are Not Ready can be paused. Items that are Ready or In Transit may not be paused.
  2. Click on “Pause hold” and select a date that you would like the hold to become active again.
  3. If you have multiple holds that you would like to pause, select each item by placing a checkmark in the box to the left of the item you would like to pause.
  4. After selecting the items you would like to pause, click on “Manage items” at the bottom of the page.
  5. Click on “Pause holds” and select a date that you would like the holds become active again.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How will I be notified about this change in OverDrive/Libby?

If you have current holds you will see a notice letting you know about this change on your Holds screen in Libby. OverDrive website users will not see a notice, you will just see the suspended hold with the date removed.

Will I be notified before my suspended holds are cancelled in OverDrive/Libby?

Libby users can see how many days remain until their suspended hold is canceled by tapping Unsuspend Hold and checking the number next to “Lapsing in.” The OverDrive website will show an alert or countdown on suspended holds when there are 30 days remaining before the suspended hold is cancelled.

Will I lose my place in the hold queue if I pause my requests?

No. If your paused request reaches the top of the queue and your suspension date has not arrived, then the request will not be filled for you. Your request will remain at the top of the list until your suspension date arrives and then it will be filled when the item is next checked in.

How do I reactivate a paused request?

If you want to reactivate a paused request sooner than you had planned on books or materials in the Library's catalog, put a check mark next to each request that you want to reactivate and click on “Manage Items” and “Resume holds.” Your request will no longer be paused.

If you want to reactivate a paused request in OverDrive/Libby simple select "Unsuspend".