Library Holds

I make a lot of holds at the library. I would like to know when to expect to have them in my greedy little (borrower) hands. Using Vancouver Public Library, which uses Bibliocommons, as an example:

Information I have:

• • how many copies of an item are available

  • which position in line I am in

That's it. The library has the following information:

• • if the item is processed and available for borrowing, they know when the items are due back

    • if they run analytics, they know the average length of time that...

      • all materials are held for

      • specific materials are held for

  • if the item is not processed (it is new to them, or on order), they probably don't have a good sense of when the item will be made available

    • processing takes time: the book has to be catalogued and prepared for use

With items that are processed and ready, I'd like to know the range of dates I can expect to have an item available.

Example:

• • there are 2 copies of an item available, but they are being borrowed

  • let's say I'm 10th in line

  • what would be the math of determining which day I can expect to have it?

    • the average length of time either one of the materials is out can be added, which is updated as the material is returned

    • the position in the queue