Everything you need to know about holds in the Libby app

When you’re a kid, waiting isn’t exactly your strong suit. Flash forward a few decades, and unfortunately (despite what the grown-ups tell you), it doesn’t get easier as an adult—just ask anyone stuck in traffic during rush hour. But waiting doesn’t have to be frustrating, especially when you know what to expect.

If you’ve ever tapped on a book in the Libby app only to be met with the words “Place Hold,” you know this isn’t the time to panic. Holds can actually be helpful—they let you plan your reading life, keep your TBR list fresh, and make sure you don’t forget to borrow that buzzy new release or that long-awaited sequel when it’s ready.

So whether you’re a Libby newbie or a seasoned borrower, here’s your no-stress guide to making the most of your time on hold—from understanding how it works and staying in control of your place in line to getting the books you want, right when you’re ready to read them.

1. What is a hold, anyway?

Let’s start with the basics. A hold is your spot in line for a title that’s currently checked out by another person (just like at your physical library!). When it’s your turn, Libby will send you a notification and give you 3 days to either:

✅Borrow it
➡️Suspend it (more on this below)
❌Or cancel it if you’ve changed your mind

✨ Why do digital titles in Libby have a wait list?

It’s all about fairness and supporting the creators behind the books. Just like physical books, libraries purchase individual digital copies from publishers and each copy can only be checked out by one person at a time. This ensures that authors, narrators, and other contributors are compensated for their work, even when it’s borrowed digitally.

Libraries do their best to meet demand, but their budgets cover a lot including physical books, community programs, digital collections, and more. If all copies of a title are checked out, placing a hold lets you claim your spot in line. And if you notice a long wait list, don’t hesitate to let your library know! If their budget allows, they may be able to purchase additional copies to help more readers get access, faster.

2. Where are my holds?

You can find all your holds by tapping your Shelf, the stacked books icon at the bottom of the Libby app, then tapping Holds.

Here, you’ll see:

📍 Your place in line
⌛ An estimated wait time
📕 Options to manage or cancel your holds

3. Can I see my place in line?

Yes! Libby shows you where you are in line.

You can see:

📍 Your place in line
⌛ An estimated wait time
📚 Total copies the library owns
🧑🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏾 Total people waiting

4. What if I’m not ready when my hold comes in?

No worries—Libby lets you suspend your hold (previously called "Deliver Later."). This means you keep your place in line, but the book goes to the next person. When you're ready to read the hold you've suspended, manually unsuspend it (more on that below!).

🌟 Pro-tip: If you do nothing when your hold becomes available, your hold will be suspended automatically for you once as a courtesy. Holds will lapse if they're suspended for 365 days in a row.

5. How do I unsuspend a hold when I’m ready to read?

Suspended holds no longer unsuspend automatically, so you’ll need to manually unsuspend them when you’re ready to read.

To do that, go to your Shelf, tap Holds at the top of the screen, tap Unsuspend, then Unsuspend Hold. If you forget to unsuspend a hold for a whole year (365 days), Libby will cancel it for you.

After unsuspending your hold, it will be delivered when you reach the top of the wait list and someone returns the title.

Still have questions? Check out this step-by-step instructional video on how to suspend and unsuspend a hold.

6. How do I sort my holds by when they’ll probably be ready?

Want to see which of your holds might be available soonest? Just tap the filter button on your holds screen, choose Expected Next, and then tap Show Holds. It’s a super handy way to get a sense of what’s coming up next—especially if you’re excited about a particular title!

7. What’s a “skip-the-line” copy?

Some libraries offer special skip-the-line copies of popular books. These are limited-time, no-holds copies that you can borrow right away, even when there’s a long wait list. You’ll know it’s a skip-the-line copy when you see a title marked with a shamrock icon.

RELATED READ: Feeling lucky? Discover skip-the-line books in the Libby app

☘️ Pro-tip: Skip-the-line titles are great for quick access to popular books, but they come with shorter lending periods. If you’d rather wait and enjoy the book for the typical lending period, you can place a hold instead of borrowing it right away.

Here’s how to place a hold on a skip-the-line copy:

1. Tap Borrow on the skip-the-line copy.

2. Tap This is a skip-the-line copy above the lending period.

3. In the pop-up, tap the The line is about... link.

4. Tap Place Hold to join the regular wait list.

This way, you’ll get the book for your preferred lending period when your hold becomes available.

8. What if I see “Unknown Wait” or “Clean up hold”?

If you see “Unknown Wait” next to a hold, it usually means the title has expired or been temporarily removed from the library’s collection. You won’t be able to borrow it right now, but your library may be deciding whether to bring it back, especially if there’s still interest.

You might also see “Clean up hold?”, which is Libby’s gentle nudge to consider canceling the hold so you can free up space on your library card for other holds.

If the library adds the title again and you’re still on the wait list, your hold will start moving like normal.

9. Can I cancel a hold?

Absolutely. Just tap Manage Hold > Cancel Hold. It’s a quick way to tidy up your shelf and a kind gesture that helps the next reader in line get their turn a little sooner.

Got more questions about holds? Check out the Libby Help site for FAQs, or reach out to our Support Team if you need help with something specific.

Waiting isn’t always fun, but holds are a sign that your library is thriving, readers are active, and your next great read is just around the corner. Luckily, Libby gives you the tools to make your reading life flexible.

📚 Pro-tip: Want to avoid the wait altogether? Filter your library’s catalog by “Available Now” and discover books you can borrow instantly.

RELATED READ: Top 15 most frequently asked questions about the Libby app