Navigating Account Holds

A Helpful Guide to Online vs. In-Branch Status

We want your library experience to be as smooth and frustration-free as possible! We know how exciting it is to wait for a book you've been dying to read, and we understand it can be confusing when what you see on your screen doesn't quite match what’s happening behind the scenes.

To help make sense of your account status, it helps to know that our library uses two different systems to keep things running:

  • BiblioCommons: This is the beautiful, user-friendly catalog page you use on our website and APP to browse for books, track your reading, and place requests.

  • SirsiDynix WorkFlows: This is our internal, master database that library staff use at the desks to check items in and out, manage lines, and route books between branches.

Because we are part of a large library consortium sharing hundreds of thousands of books, our systems have to process a massive amount of data. When you place a hold online, it sends a quick signal to our system right away. However, when our staff members are working hard on the backend—like checking in boxes of books or safely moving items between towns—those updates happen inside WorkFlows first. It can take a little time for those staff updates to securely sync up and show on your personal online account.

What this means for you

Because of this slight delay, the WorkFlows database our staff uses at the desk is always the most accurate, live, and up-to-date version of your account.

If your online account page looks a little stuck, or if you want to know your exact, real-time place in a long hold line before you head out the door, please let us look it up for you!

We are here to help

Rather than relying on listed website queues, we warmly invite you to reach out to us directly. Our friendly staff can instantly pull up the live master database to give you the most accurate answer.

Lansdowne: 613-659-3885 | Lyndhurst: 613-928-2277 | Seeley’s Bay: 613-387-3909

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as our systems work together to get your next great read into your hands!