In order to provide equitable access to resources that are in high demand, the UTA Libraries offer a way for users to reserve a book that is checked out to another patron. This reservation may take the form of either a HOLD or a RECALL.

This policy is in place to ensure that our patrons have timely access to the materials they need. Your cooperation is appreciated. Please remember that ALL patron records are confidential. Names of borrowers or requestors may not be given out to others.

Holds

Most circulating books in use by or on hold for another patron, except those on Reserve, may have a Hold placed on them by any borrower. The patron who has the book checked out should have an opportunity to use the item before it is checked out to the next user. Therefore, the patron may keep a book for the initial 3 or 4 week loan period. When the book is returned the next patron on the list is notified of its availability.

Certain materials may not be placed on hold:

• Reading Resource Room materials
• Reserve items
• Reference materials
• Periodicals
• Popular Reading Collection
• Laptops and headphones
• Items that are not checked out to another patron
• Items that are on order or in process

Recalls

In certain instances we take a more assertive approach to get a book back when needed by another patron. This process is known as a RECALL and may be initiated by circulation staff for a variety of reasons. A book may be recalled when:

• A professor needs a book for Reserves
• The item is overdue and someone has requested a hold
• The item has been renewed and someone else has requested it
• A faculty member has had an item for 30 days or more
• An item has 3 or more holds on it; in this case it is recalled and placed on Reserve because of its popularity
• The item has been out for a long period of time and the library wishes to check its condition and availability

When an item you have checked out is recalled, we attempt to notify you by phone or e-mail, and by U.S. mail. When a recall is placed, the loan period is shortened; the book is given an adjusted due date (usually 7 days) from the date of recall. If a borrower, faculty included, does not respond to a recall notice, special recall fines accrue at $2 per day.

How to place an item on Hold or Recall

After you find the item record for the item that you want and you notice that it is currently checked out to someone else, select the “Request” button at the top of the page. Log into your account, and you will be directed to a drop-down menu where you will select “Hold” or “Recall.” If the item is due back to the library in 30 days or less, choose “Hold.” If it is not due back for more than 30 days, choose “Recall” to have the item returned. After choosing type of request, select “Go to Request Form,” choose your pickup location and select “Get this Item.”

Item Availability

When a recalled book is returned, the Libraries' system notifies the next patron on the hold/recall list that the item is available. However, items recalled for Reserves take priority over all other hold/recall requests. When the item is ready, an "item available" notice is mailed if we are unable to reach you by phone or email. You may also check the status of your hold/recall request by going into Your Info in the UTA Libraries Online Catalog.

Once available, the book is held for 8 days at the Circulation Desk of your choice. If you decide you no longer need the book, please let circulation staff know (Central Library library-servdesk@listserv.uta.edu; Architecture & Fine Arts Library library-afa@listserv.uta.edu; or, Science & Engineering Library library-sel@listserv.uta.edu) so the item can be returned to the shelf or passed along to the next patron.

Options

If a book is recalled from you that you still wish to use, your name can be placed back on the hold/recall list by completing a Hold Request online through the catalog, or you can ask the staff at the desk to assist you when you return the book. Your name will be put back in the queue for the book once it is checked out to the next patron.

If you cannot wait for the item, you can seek assistance at the Reference Desk to find other libraries in the area that own the book. You can go to that library and use your TexShare Card to check the book out from that library.