OverDrive replaced the Automatic Checkout option for holds with a new feature called Hold Redelivery. It applies to all new and existing holds since March 2, 2020 and gives readers more control over their holds and help waitlists cycle more efficiently. Here are the differences between the past and current options.
Automatic Checkout Option (past)
Patrons that previously had the automatic checkout option enabled on their OverDrive account had their OverDrive items on hold automatically checked out to their account once they become available. This therefore started the checkout period, which varied from one to three weeks, depending on a patron's default settings and popularity of titles available such as Sizzlers with a shorter checkout time. This option was also not available for patrons placing holds for OverDrive items through the library's main catalog, and would have therefore gotten an email notice of the hold availability within a three-day window before the hold item was passed along to the next person in line with the item on hold for them.
Hold Redelivery Option (new)
With the new hold redelivery option, patrons with OverDrive items on hold will still get email notifications as an option, but will also get notifications from OverDrive on the Libby app, OverDrive app, and the "Notifications" section of the library's OverDrive website. They will then have one of four options:
- Borrow the title within three days
- Suspend the hold and pass the book to the next person in line. After the suspension period (set by the user), the hold will be redelivered when the next copy is available.
- Cancel the hold.
- Users that take no action will have their hold automtically suspended one time only for seven days. If no action is taken the second time, the hold will be cancelled automatically.
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