1. 72-hour Checkout Window Missed (most common)
You have 72 hours to check out a hold, or it will go to the next person in the queue. Please check your notification settings in Libby or Hoopla to ensure you are notified based on your preferences. If you miss your checkout window, you will have to place the hold again.
2. Digital License Discontinued
In some cases, publishers may discontinue the digital license for a specific eBook or eAudiobook. This usually occurs when a new edition is released, and the publisher stops supporting older versions.
When this happens, libraries can no longer acquire additional copies (licenses) of the discontinued edition. If holds are placed on an edition that is no longer available, we will make every effort to fulfill those holds within a reasonable timeframe—ideally within eight (8) weeks. If this is not possible, the holds will be canceled.
To ensure fairness and timely availability of holds (Libby):
- Patrons with holds at the top of the queue will be prioritized based on a 4-to-1 holds ratio.
- Holds lower in the queue (outside the 4-to-1 holds ratio) will be canceled.
- Holds in Suspend status will also be canceled.
If your hold on an older edition is canceled, please search Libby or Hoopla for a newer edition that may be available to borrow instantly (i.e., no wait list).
3. Digital Titles Removed by Publisher
If a digital title is no longer available from the publisher, it may be removed from the Libby catalog without prior notice. Unfortunately, libraries have no control over which titles publishers choose to remove from the public library marketplace.
Please note that discontinued titles may still appear in the SFPL Catalog temporarily until they can be removed. For the most up-to-date selection of digital titles, we recommend searching directly in the Libby and Hoopla catalogs.
