By Lisa Bogart
Bridgewater, NJ June 6, 2011.—Patrons used to putting a “hold” on library materials through the Somerset County Library System’s (SCLS) on-line catalog will see some changes made to the reservation system starting June 15, 2011. The library will now only hold reserved and inter-library loan items for four days as opposed to six days, which was previously the policy. For patrons of SCLS, they will need to pick up library materials within a four day period.
“We have been hearing that patrons wish to read the latest materials and bestsellers more quickly. One of the ways to help shorten the waiting lists is to tighten up the amount of time that a patron has to collect materials once they have been notified that the material is available for them,” explained system Executive Director Brian Auger.
Patrons can place a hold or a reservation on material that is a part of the circulating collection of the SCLS. They do so by making a selection through the library system’s on-line catalog located at www.sclsnj.org. If the item is unavailable and checked out to another patron, there is a blue button that allows patron to put a hold or a reservation on the item. The patron is asked to sign into the system using their library card number and PIN. Currently holds, when they come into a patron’s queue, are put on a shelf in one of the branch libraries for up to six days for a patron to pick up.
A patron, however, can use that queue to manage their list of items that they wish to borrow from the SCLS. Once an item has been selected and reserved through the catalog, the patron may go into their “holds” list and use a check mark to freeze or unfreeze a selection. A trip out of town or an overabundance of material may mean that a patron is unable to get to a library during a time period. “Freezing” a selection keeps the item in the person’s queue while also preserving their place in waiting list.
Patrons with further questions can call SCLS at (908)526-4016 or enter the website at http://www.sclsnj.org. The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.
