Intensified Speed of Disappearing Restraints
In the digital age of library services, it's not uncommon to encounter issues with holds, especially when using multiple accounts or platforms. Here's a guide to help you resolve the problem of holds not appearing in OverDrive, a common issue that arises when accounts created with different methods (website vs. Libby app) are not interchangeable.
The primary cause of this issue is signing into different accounts or library cards. Holds are tied to the specific library card number or account used when placing them, so if you switch accounts or use different credentials, the holds won't show up.
To resolve this issue:
- Sign out of OverDrive or Libby and sign back in with the exact library card number or mobile number you used to place the holds. This ensures you are viewing the correct holds for that account.
If you applied for a library card online and your account number is your phone number, you may have an OverDrive-only account. For issues related to this type of account, contact OverDrive directly by email at [email protected] for assistance.
- If you have multiple library cards or accounts, use the Libby app’s feature to manage multiple cards and switch between them, making sure to access the correct one where your holds exist.
- If you recently replaced your library card, check with your library to merge your old holds and account information to your new card, as this may cause holds to not appear.
- In some cases, signing out and re-adding your library card in Libby or OverDrive, especially on devices like Kobo ereaders, can reset syncing issues and restore visibility of holds.
By ensuring you are logged into the same library account (same number or mobile number) with which you placed the holds, and managing multiple cards carefully if needed, you can resolve holds not appearing across different OverDrive/Libby platforms.
It's also worth noting that IDCs created on the Overdrive website do not have a country code added to the mobile number, whereas IDCs created through the Libby app have the country code (+1 for the U.S.) automatically added. The "sign in using mobile number" button can only be used if your Overdrive account was created with a mobile number.
Lastly, if you're still confused, don't hesitate to contact local branch staff or use the Ask Us service. A "Disappearing Holds" handout is available for reference.
Remember, with a bit of patience and careful management of your accounts, you can continue to enjoy the benefits of digital library services without any hiccups.
- Maintaining a consistent lifestyle across all platforms used for library services is crucial, as holds are tied to specific library cards or accounts.
- To enhance the efficiency of technology-driven library services, it's advisable to manage multiple library cards or accounts effectively using the Libby app's multiple-cards feature.
