Self-Serve Holds/Reserves Service

Hi everyone,

Our library is looking into the self-serve holds model that is used in some libraries, whereby patrons retrieve their hold items from public shelving (usually close to or within view of the circulation desk).

Generally speaking, most libraries do this (Model #1):
- patron retrieves the hold item from the self-serve shelves
- patron uses a self-checkout kiosk to complete the checkout process, or they bring the item to the circulation desk.

However, I'm interested in finding libraries who do this (Model #2):
- item is checked out to the patron (by staff) PRIOR to the item being placed on the self-serve shelves
- patron retrieves the hold item from the self-serve shelves and is able to leave the library without any physical interaction with staff or other customers.

Are you using Model #2 in your library? Or do you know a library using this model?
If so, here are the questions I have:
-- how many days do you allow for the person to pick up their item?
-- do you contact people a second or third time if the item is not picked up?
-- if you do allow for items to "expire" how does staff know which ones to pull from the shelf?
-- any other details related to staff or service process is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

P.S Yes, I am aware of issues related to self-serve holds, including privacy issues and/or items being taken by the wrong person (accidentally or otherwise).
I have also read through these associated "dormant" discussions: https://www.librarything.com/topic/3958# ; https://www.librarything.com/topic/107871#

I use model #1 in my small college library, where most of the readers know one another, but I would hesitate to use it in a larger library. I leave the item on the reserve shelf for a fortnight, then put it back in the library if it hasn't been picked up. However, if I knew that other readers were after the book, I would be more assiduous in chasing reader number one.

I wouldn't use model #2 for the risk of the book being picked up by another reader (this has happened) and getting into a complete mix-up over who has the book.

Missed this question: if you do allow for items to "expire" how does staff know which ones to pull from the shelf?

I put the date on the slip with the reader's name, so I know how long the book has been on the shelf.

(As the librarian of a one-woman library, I'm quite tickled by the mention of staff - how I'd love to have staff!)

My regional library uses self serve holds, model #1, but some branches alter it a little. One puts certain items behind the desk while others are on publicly accessible shelves. Each item has a printed slip with a basic code for each person, and each day we check the slip dates. Anything over two weeks is pulled and reprocessed to the next person or the library shelves.

I would be leery of using model #2, for the same reason as Zambaco, because it would be very easy for someone to just grab something they want to read and walk off with someone else's hold. Since it's already checked out, there would be no knowing who actually has it and someone's account could then have a lost book or late fines to deal with that aren't theirs.

Another potential snag with model #2 is that a patron is losing reading time if they can't get to the library right away, assuming that the loan period starts as soon as an item is checked out. This might only really be an issue with high demand items that are hard to renew, but it is a thing.

Also to note, we didn't communicate personally regarding holds, the system sends out automatic emails letting people know that their hold has arrived, and that their time to pick up their hold might be running short.