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Maximum Number of Check Outs & Holds to Change July 1, 2009

Due to budget reductions, the number of items each library card holder can check out and place on hold will be changing. See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below for answers to most questions. If you have an additional question or a comment, please  talk to staff at your local library or contact us at comments@trl.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the new maximum number of items that can be checked out of the library?  50 check outs

What is the new maximum number of items that can be placed on hold?  25 holds

When will the new maximum number of holds and check outs begin?  July 1, 2009

Why was this decision made?
To reduce staff workload given fewer open hours and staffing reductions due to budget cuts.

The general economic downturn has resulted in reduced property and timber tax collections, the two primary revenue sources for TRL. With reduced revenues and the failure of the library levy in February 2009, TRL must reduce expenses to balance its budget.

Decisions already made to reduce the budget deficit include:

• A reduction in the budget for purchasing library materials
• Open hours at most libraries reduced beginning June 1
• A hiring freeze instituted in Fall 2008
• More than a dozen vacant positions remain unfilled

Currently patrons can have 100 holds and 200 checkouts. The reduction in holds and checkouts to 25 and 50 maintains the same ratio of holds to checkouts. The decision is driven by budget constraints and is intended to decrease staff workload to a sustainable level given reduced staffing and fewer open hours.

The new maximum numbers for check outs and holds will take effect July 1, 2009. TRL will monitor checkout and holds statistics along with patron comments and re-evaluate later this year if adjustments to decisions should be considered.

Does the new maximum number include all TRL library card holders and all TRL libraries, cooperative library centers and kiosks? Yes

What happens beginning July 1 if library patrons have more than 50 items checked out?
They will not be able to check out additional items until they have returned items and have fewer than 50 checked out.

What happens beginning July 1 if library patrons have more than 25 holds?
They will not be able to place more holds until they have fewer than 25 items on their holds list.

Will patrons lose their holds if they have more than 25 on July 1? 
No. They will not lose any of their holds, but they will not be able to place more until their holds list falls below 25 items.

Are suspended holds counted in the maximum number of 25?
Yes, suspended holds are counted toward the maximum number of 25 holds.

Do the new limits on items checked out and on holds include Interlibrary Loans (ILL)?   Yes.

Revised 11/04/09