Library holds/borrows etiquette

[Anna]

I've been meaning to start this thread for ages, but today is the perfect day. I'm sick and I have a library book due tomorrow. I can't renew it because there's a holds queue, and I can't fathom not returning a library book on time, especially since there are holds. And because I've already kept it this long, which I don't normally do. I have to decide if I can stand returning it late, or if I drag my "feels like it got run over by a truck", "feverish but not really", "can't stand on any number of legs" ass to the library, and I'm pretty sure it's going to be the latter.

So what I've been wanting to ask is how you use your libraries, both physical and digital. Do you always return everything on time? Do you keep the books until the very last day, or return after you've read them? If it's a digital loan, do you return it when you're finished, or let it run the whole lending period? Do you check out a digital hold when it comes available even if you don't have time for it now?

I don't know what's wrong with me, besides my me-ness, but I always try to keep all library items for as little time as possible. I have a ton of holds, both physical and digital, but most of them are locked/suspended, and I periodically check and extend the suspensions. If a digital hold comes in, I start it *immediately*, and try to return on the same day, or the next day at the very latest.

When I read physical graphic novels, I put in a bunch of holds at once, wait until they're all available for pick up, usually within a couple of days, then I go to the library, check them out, sit down, read them, and return them.

I always assume everyone else keeps all library items, whether physical or digital, for as long as they can, or at least that's how it seems when I'm waiting for holds. Often the physical books are way overdue and I'm waiting and checking and wondering what kind of monster keeps library books past their due date?!

These and all other things I'm forgetting or haven't even thought about, let me know how you use your physical/digital libraries! I'm interested! :D

[Kirsi]

I do the exact same thing when it comes to libraries. Returning books late gives me physical malaise and I feel like the worst criminal ever, especially if there's a queue. I also return digital loans immediately after having finished.

[Anna]

Starting stats spreadsheet, 100% neurotic in column 'Finland' :P

[Sarah]

For context: All libraries in my state share the whole collection and if someone makes a request from a library that doesn’t have the book, another library will mail the book to a library of the patron’s choosing free of charge to the patron.

Therefore, if it’s a title that’s widely available, less popular, or older, I don’t have an issue keeping it. It will be auto renewed up to 3 times so long as it’s not on hold, and I do prioritize my reading in what I know will have to go back right away versus what is likely to be autorenewed (so yes, there are definitely a few I’ve kept for too long haha).

If it’s a popular or new release I try to read it right away and have it back ASAP.

If it’s an ebook or audiobook I return the loan as soon as I’m done.

I’ve only returned one thing late this year and it was an express loan (7 days instead of 21). I thought I could return it after hours and they’d still count it as on time but they didn’t for some reason. It’s the only thing I’ve returned “late” this year.

[Faith]

I never borrow physical books. I return digital books right after I finish them. When a hold becomes available, I usually defer it if I already have several books borrowed, but sometimes I will borrow it if I want to put it next in line to read.

[Cheryl]

I return books in batches, so not immediately. If it's a group discussion group, I hold onto it longer, for referral purposes. But returning a book late does make me feel bad, even if there aren't other holds, I can't remember the last time I did it.

In case of illness or atrocious weather, and a physical book, I would send the library a chat or PM letting them know it'll be another couple of days. It doesn't mean anything, really, but it eases my conscience to perform courtesies like that, and it alerts them that at least some of their patrons care.

But a physical book that is a week or more overdue even though there's a hold (mine) ... yeah, pretty rude....

[Kaia]

I try to return books (both print and ebook) when I’m finished with them. If it’s a book in high demand or I had to get it from another library in our consortium outside of my town (which involves mailing/shipping by air), then I try to prioritize reading those first / in a timely manner. If it’s a book from my town system, and there are no holds, I will hold onto it longer and renew sometimes, but try to never return anything late. I appreciate it when people return ebooks when they are done, rather than waiting for the loan period to lapse when the book is automatically returned. They are popular here and often there aren’t many copies, so it can be a long wait.

As a librarian, I’m happy for people to keep books as long as they need (within the renewal limits) as long as the books aren’t in demand and they return them more or less on time. I have certainly extended a loan for a day or two for someone who was sick or had transportation issues if the book doesn’t have a hold. The whole point of the library is to loan books, not house them, and it is better for us if people check things out, even if they don’t ultimately get around to reading them. It lets us know what kinds of things people want to read, and circulation statistics are valuable for showing the library’s importance.

[Becky]

Faith wrote: "I never borrow physical books. I return digital books right after I finish them. When a hold becomes available, I usually defer it if I already have several books borrowed, but sometimes I will borrow it if I want to put it next in line to read."

^^ This is pretty much how I roll as well.

I don't have a rule against physical library books or anything, it's just that it's not my preferred way to read anymore, so it has to be a book that I can't get otherwise (digital audio or ebook) for me to use the physical library. Though, I honestly really should use it more. Not only to support them, but my library is only a mile away, so it's a good excuse for a nice walk... that I rarely take advantage of.

I use two different e-libraries - one from a neighboring county (because MY county is still in the stone age when it comes to technology), and the Philadelphia library system, which is free to all PA residents. I use the Libby app, which allows me to search both at once. My "local" e-library has a lend period of 2 weeks, but Philly allows up to 3 weeks.

In the rare occasion that a book I want is available at both libraries, I will choose the one that has the greater number of copies available. If both are the same, I'll use the larger library. I try to be mindful that my local library is much smaller, and I don't want to hog the book if I can get it from the larger system.

I use holds a lot, and miss the days when I was allowed 10 from each library, but now I'm only allowed 4 from the smaller system and 6 from Philly. I do find that I suspend and delay my loans A LOT though, because I'm a moody reader, and after a while, if I feel like I'm not likely to actually borrow the book, I'll just cancel the hold.

I will not borrow a book I'm not intending to actually read/listen to just to have it as an option. I almost always borrow 1 book at a time, but occasionally (like now) I'll end up with a few at once because holds come in that I am actually in the mood for, despite already having another checked out. In that case, if I see that there are holds on a book I've borrowed, then that determines the priority I get to them. Example: Book A has 0 holds, Book B has 3 holds, and Book C has 15 holds, then I read Book C first, B second, and A last.

I return books as soon as I'm done with them. It's a nice nudge to my serotonin level to see the "X people waiting" next to the "Return Early" button. It makes me feel like I've done a good deed for the day. LOL
It's very rare for a library loan to expire on me - if I'm reading the book and it's taking 2-3 weeks, that's almost always going to end up as a low rated book for me, and it's more than likely I'd just DNF & return it before the loan is up.

[Anna]

Becky wrote: "It's a nice nudge to my serotonin level to see the "X people waiting" next to the "Return Early" button. It makes me feel like I've done a good deed for the day."

Yes! I feel like a hero! :D

And similarly, when I'm eagerly checking the holds for a certain book daily and see that I'm first in line, and then I get a notification for availability the same/next day, I send a silent thank you to whoever does the same :) (Or they delayed it, but same idea.)

[Michelle]

I also only borrow e-books and send them back as soon as I'm finished the last page.

[Becky]

Anna wrote: "Becky wrote: "It's a nice nudge to my serotonin level to see the "X people waiting" next to the "Return Early" button. It makes me feel like I've done a good deed for the day."

Yes! I feel like a hero! :D"

Exactly!

[Whitney]

I love to see that other people are as OCD as me about these things.

It’s good and considerate to return books on time or even early. But you really don’t need to drag your sick self out of the house. It’s okay, books come back late all the time. The person with the next hold will probably just go on to another book, like most of us would. The odds that they are staring at their computer, praying that particular book becomes available, are pretty low. Sometimes I’ve returned a book and was able to check it right back out as the next person’s hold was suspended.

Don't sweat it, return it when you can.

[Anna]

Whitney wrote: "I love to see that other people are as OCD as me about these things."

Yes, I do have an OCD diagnosis, but I don't think that has anything to do with my early library returns obsession, which is more likely due to other perfectionist tendencies :)

[Kandice]

I primarily do digital loans (e-books, audiobooks and comics) and always return them as soon as I finish. Like many have said, there is a rush associated with not only finishing, but making sure someone else can start.

I use four different library systems, assorted Overdrive, Libby and Hoopla, so when I want something and am in the mood for it, I can usually get it.

On the rare occasion I do check out a physical book, I am a little anxious until I can return it. I don't check out physical books unless I am going to read them now. Or as soon as I finish something I'm in the middle of.

The only occasions I keep books for (what feels like) a long time, are for the three RL book clubs I attend at the library. The librarian passes the copies of our next meeting's discussion out, and we don't actually check them out. She records them by our names, and we return them when we next meet. I do feel a twinge of guilt when we read a popular book because that's a lot of copies unavailable to those not in our book clubs, BUT, anyone could join, so I've learned to (mostly) let that go.

[DivaDiane]

I almost never borrow physical books anymore mostly because the county I live in has a crappy collection. That said, I am way more likely to return a physical book late. I try not to if I know there is someone waiting for it, which I will know if I try to renew it. But if I am almost done, I will be bad/rude and finish it before returning. The library charges a fee, but I am not at all bothered by that. I happily give the library my money for late fees.

On the other hand, I use 6 different libraries for digital loans and always return them as soon as I’m finished. If a hold comes in and I’m not in the mood or ready to read it, I defer the loan and hope the next time I am. I do this for at least 80% of the books I have on hold.

[Rick]

I only borrow ebooks and like others in this thread, I return them when I'm done. In fact, I'll return a book early that I'm just not liking if someone is waiting for it (Libby will tell you this).

I have forgotten that I borrowed a book and feel bad when it's still sitting there.

[Anna]

(I returned the book. I am at death's door but I stopped on the way to return the book.)

[Becky]

Anna wrote: "(I returned the book. I am at death's door but I stopped on the way to return the book.)"

Commendable achievement, Anna! You have overcome the odds and truly are a hero today.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

[Anna]

Yeah I felt like I'd completed a truly heroic task, like Frodo at Mount Doom, lying motionless waiting for the eagles to come get me and fly me to my death bed.

[Becky]

Well, maybe you can reroute to Rivendell and let Elrond heal you? :D

[Anna]

I don't have a high enough fever to say yes please but you can draw your own conclusions :D

[Anna]

(They surely have an excellent library and I would make sure to return everything on time.)

[Becky]

I'll make you a reservation. :P

[DivaDiane]

We’ll done, Anna! I hope you recover soon!

[Michelle]

Anna wrote: "Yeah I felt like I'd completed a truly heroic task, like Frodo at Mount Doom, lying motionless waiting for the eagles to come get me and fly me to my death bed."

Oh no! I'm sorry that you're ill!

[CBRetriever]

here's hoping it's not that new strain of Covid that's showed up recently

[Anna]

I don't think that's reached Finland yet?

Thanks everyone, I'm fine, it's just a cold, I'll live! :)

Let's talk about library stuff again, anyone willing to admit they keep their digital loans until the very last minute? :D

[CBRetriever]

no, but then I'm a hoarder and seldom borrow books. One of the lending services in the US states this:

Once the lending period for a Kindle Book ends, it is automatically returned to your library. Expired Kindle Books still appear on your Kindle device or reading app but can't be opened.

so you'd have to keep wifi off or the book will disappear

[Sarah]

I love borrowing physical graphic novels and usually return within a week which is quick for me! Other physical books I’ve been lucky to be able to renew as I’m a slow reader and I can only get to the library on a Saturday.

I’m going to admit that I’ve only ever kept 1 book past its due date which I did for 2 days to finish Colour of Magic.

I usually return digital books ASAP just to get them off my shelf though ha!

[Rachel]

I am willing to admit I return physical books late. I justify it that everyone else is doing it. For example - my daughter had a hold she was very excited for and we hoped to get it before vacation. There were 4 out, 3 of which were several weeks overdue!! One of which was SO overdue that that persons library card must have been put on hold and they would have charged them for a lost book. So I feel little to no guilt (though I am better about adult new releases since only I am reading them and I don’t temporarily lose my books…)

[Kristin B.]

Anna wrote: "Let's talk about library stuff again, anyone willing to admit they keep their digital loans until the very last minute? :D"

*skulks in to admit* I do worse than that sometimes. I just turn the wifi on my Kindle off and the book stays there until I turn the wifi back on. I assume the library "takes it back" when the loan expires. But I can still access it until I connect to the internet again. *skulks away again*

*pops my head back in to hopefully redeem my character a smidge*
Physical books I borrow rarely. But those go back to the library almost the moment I turn the last page.

[Lexi]

With digital books, I'll usually return it as soon as I'm done with it, but library copies? I actually work at my local library so I'm 100% guilty to abusing this and abusing this for a few extra days. And my library system doesn't charge late fees so a lot of people do this too. But if I know a book is popular and I haven't read it by the time it's due, I check it in.

But I love listening to all the super apologetic patrons explaining why their book is three days late with these wild stories. Like, no worries.

[Anna]

Kristin, thanks for being brave :D and I personally forgive you, since to my knowledge you're not using my library and therefore not making me wait for my holds :P

edit: Same goes for Rachel's physical books, but like most people in this thread, the majority of my library action is digital.

[Becky]

Kristin B. wrote: "*skulks in to admit* I do worse than that sometimes. I just turn the wifi on my Kindle off and the book stays there until I turn the wifi back on. I assume the library "takes it back" when the loan expires. But I can still access it until I connect to the internet again. *skulks away again*"

This is correct. Your loan will end and the book can be re-loaned, but it just won't be removed from your Kindle until Amazon can connect to it. No skulking needed in this situation! :D

I have been known to use this feature once or twice when I'm feeling particularly heroic (for popular books with long holds). I'll turn off my wifi on my Kindle after I've downloaded the book, and then return it early to the library, and read it at my leisure so others don't have to wait.

The only downside is that I lose the ability to sync my progress across devices, so I'm stuck using my Kindle exclusively for reading until I turn it back on.

Hashtag-first-world-problems

[Raucous]

Becky wrote: "The only downside is that I lose the ability to sync my progress across devices, so I'm stuck using my Kindle exclusively for reading until I turn it back on.

That's how Kindle sync works for me much of the time anyway, so this solution all win from my perspective.

[Becky]

It’s frustrating for me to not have the sync. I tend to read on my phone Kindle app when I’m out, so automatically syncing is very nice. I also sometimes read along to audio, and Audible and Kindle sync up, even if the kindle book is a library book (which I was actually surprised by!). I now rely on it way too much and can’t live without it.

[Anna]

I've been a little slumpy/meh lately (due to being sick again, and again, like when I started this thread) and I haven't really been able to enjoy almost any books. I keep borrowing stuff, starting the books, and then just letting them sit there. But obviously checking daily to see if there are holds! I've learned to DNF, which is great, but it does hurt me a little bit to return unread Libby books, which is silly, I know.

The reason I popped in here today was to ask if anyone else ever wonders if the librarians sit at their computers tutting at how many books I have out on Libby? :D Or they get an alert when I check something out despite not starting, let alone finishing any of my other books? I almost expect a message to pop up saying hey no more checkouts for you before you finish something!

Yes I understand this is not what librarians do, but I dread their wrath all the same :D

[CBRetriever]

Anna wrote: "I've been a little slumpy/meh lately (due to being sick again, and again, like when I started this thread) and I haven't really been able to enjoy almost any books. I keep borrowing stuff, starting..."

I used to have them look at me funny when I checked out the max at the library when I was a child. What they didn't know was that I not only read all the ones I checked out, but I usually read my mother's as well (I was reading adult books by age 9)

[Becky]

Anna - Welcome to the freedom of the DNF! I used to force myself to finish every book I started, just so that I could say as a point of pride that I wasn't a quitter... and then I realized that I was actually reading far less, and far less fulfillingly (that's a word!) because of it. I would DRAAAAGGGG out books I wasn't liking, and I was miserable reading books I hated, and I would dread going back to a book for so long that I would kick myself right into a slump.

When I gave myself permission to DNF, it was SO freeing! I do it all the time now. I do sometimes finish books I'm not liking (for various reasons) but as a general rule, if it's not working for me, I ditch it and move on. I DO also count those as read, and I rate and review them - just like any other product. I tried it, and it didn't work, here's why. YMMV.

As far as weird Libby habits, if your librarians are judging you for having a bunch of checkouts, I wonder what they think of me for having a checkout, deciding that I actually am not ready for it yet, returning it, and then immediately throwing it back on hold/on to a list. LOL I do that a lot.

Though, I never actually thought about anyone watching my Libby activity. I work in technology/connectivity and almost everything transmitted digitally like that is done without human interaction, so the thought just never crossed my mind until now. Anxiety Unlocked. O_O

[Anna]

Haha I know, I'm in IT myself and I know perfectly well that no one in their right mind would be looking at the data, but anxiety is a fun thing :P

Yes, DNFing is great, though I'm still not sure if I'd be able to DNF something if I'd gotten very far into it.

[Becky]

Never say never. I DNF'd Ken Follet's World Without End at 80% (ish?) which I think was like 40 some hours into the audio. I just couldn't take it anymore!

[Anna]

Yeah I do "DNF" audiobooks by letting them play on a low volume at 3x in my vicinity :P But I have technically finished them, so they're not *really* DNFs XD

[CBRetriever]

I make it through the books I don't like by alternating books. I usually read 3-4 at the same time so I'll read a chapter or two of the "bad book" in between reading the others. Back when I read just hardcopy books, those books became my car books and I'd eventually make it through them (I'm stubborn)

[Becky]

The older I get, the less patient I am with books that aren't working for me. There are just so many out there that I may love, I don't see the point in wasting any of that time on ones that I already know I don't. :)

Though, I guess I defeat my own "so many books, so little time" argument by re-reading. (And re-re-reading. LOL) I'm whimsical like that!

[Raucous]

One of the things I'm appreciating about (finally) starting to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from our state's library system is that I feel less guilty about DNFs. If it's not for me and I return it, someone else has a chance to love it. Actually buying something has always seemed like commitment to read and finish it. I'm not missing that.

I have a close friend who is a librarian. She's just happy that people are interested and involved. Judgement is not really on her priority list. Mostly. Bacon as a bookmark would cross the line.

[a.g.e. montagner]

Interesting topic!

I've been using libraries much less since I started reading ebooks. For reference, I used to save lists of the books I wanted to read on my local library's website, and those lists are basically frozen to ten years ago, or longer.
When I was at uni I used to take full advantage of its vast libraries (honestly, as a graduate of literature, I was constantly reading, full stop). Also, ebooks weren't available at the time; as I was saying in VBC, they would have changed my life back then.

Holding on to borrowed books longer than necessary seems counterproductive even from an egoistic point of view (I need to clear the space! and borrow new ones!), but I also try to maximise trips to libraries, which means I tend to borrow & return books in batches.

Recently my partner realised that she she could borrow from the local library a book on the history of manga she needed for a webinar. We decided to make the most of the trip and, partly by happenstance, ended up borrowing a pile of books including three volumes by Jiro Taniguchi, a novel by Yoko Ogawa, a guide of Japan...

Libraries in my area are connected and books can be requested across the network. Although the rules are appropriately byzantine... If the book is in the municipality next to yours, you'll have to pick it up yourself; and I'm sure that, in true Italian fashion, there'll be exceptions to the exceptions.