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6.3. Clearing the Holds Shelf

Last Updated 06/03/2026

Clearing Expired Holds 

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NC Cardinal requires that holds expire after seven days of sitting on the hold shelf without being picked up. The hold shelf should be checked for expired holds daily and those materials should be cleared through the process of checking the items in.

The NC Cardinal consortium has agreed that all libraries will allow patrons 7 days to pickup their holds, so staff should clear items from the hold shelf after 7 days. Library staff should review the holds shelf (both physically and electronically) on a daily basis to pull expired and cancelled holds. 

Clearing the Hold Shelf List

At least once a day, staff should clear expired and cancelled holds from the hold shelf. To do so:

1. Navigate to the Holds Shelf option in the Circulation menu.
   
2. The Holds Shelf is displayed and should match the items on the library's physical holds shelf.
3. Click the button labeled Show Clearable Holds. This will change the grid to show only those holds that have expired or been cancelled.
   
4. If needed, print this list using the setting menu, indicated by the gear icon.
   
5. Physically remove the items on teh clearable holds list from the hold shelf.
6. Check in each item to convert it's status to Available/Reshelving, trigger the next hold, or put the item In Transit.
7. Return to the Hold Shelf list. All removed items should be cleared from the list.

Do not use the Clear These Holds Button without following that action by checking the items in. Clearing the Holds will not actually affect the item's status.

Extending Shelf Expire Time

In some cases, a hold may be extended (for a brief period) as a courtesy to patrons, but staff must first check for any other patron holds by going to the bibliographic record and clicking View Holds, ensuring that Pickup Library is set to CARDINAL to see all holds for the consortium.

If there are no untargeted holds on the waiting list, a brief extension may be granted by staff when the patron is planning to pick up the item in another day or two by:

1. Checking the box next to the line item you wish to edit. Select Edit Hold Dates on the Actions menu.
2. Check the box next to Shelf Expire Date. Enter date or use the calendar widget to choose the new date, then click Submit.