The Holds Ratio

What It Is:

According to Fairfax County Public Library (in Virginia) the holds ratio is the number of holds placed on a copy versus the number of items the library currently owns of that copy. A holds ratio of 6:1 means that any time the number of holds goes higher than 6, new copies must be purchased to keep the ratio stable.

Why It Is Important:

Libraries use the holds ratio to determine when to purchase more copies of items. Keep in mind that the holds ratio for books may be different for DVDs, music CDs or games. The ratio is often determined based on how long the checkout period (the longer the checkout period the smaller the ratio). In an interview with Politico, New York Public Library's Assistant Director for Central Library Development says that libraries assess demand every day in order to provide patrons them materials they want.

Why You Should Know:

Knowing the holds ratio can let you know how long the wait time may be for certain items. Keep in mind that the holds ratio may not apply to every single library item - the ratio is more of a basic guideline than a hard and fast rule.

Still Curious?

A Conversation with a Collections Development Manager

I had the opportunity meet with Mr. Adam Wathen, Collections Development Manager at the Johnson County Library. Here are some snippets from our talk:

There is a weekly holds report that lists out all of the holds placed in the county. We use it to determine purchasing
Current ratios are
- 5:1 for books (3 week checkout)
- 6.67:1 for DVDs (2 week checkout)
- 10:1 for games (1 week checkout)
- These ratios may not apply to new items that have excessive holds
We purchase more items at the beginning - before the holds get too high. By doing this, we make the holds drop off less severe
The holds drop off occurs when the majority of patrons have accessed the item and interest wanes
We try to speed up the turnaround time on holds by
- reduce the checkout period
- shortening the materials handling process
Trends for determining holds
- number of items vendors purchase
- box office draw for movies
- previous demand for series/author/similar titles
- press coverage
Our big goal is to
- decrease wait time for patrons (which is why the ratios ratio does not apply to ally items)
- Spend money in time to meet needs rather than just in case there is need
  - find out more about just in time and just in case here

Loan Periods and Wait Times

Kim Ukura of Book Riot discusses factors that may impact how quickly you may get your hold.

Checkout periods
How materials are transferred between libraries
Number of people in community with library cards

Digital Titles and Holds

Public Library Quarterly published a 2016 article that discusses digital materials (ex. E-books). Issues that may impact digital holds may include:

whether the library has access to patron usage and request data
shorter check out limits
limiting the number of checkouts per patron (Public Library Quarterly suggests a 5 item limit)

In 2013, four students from Indiana University conducted a 4 week study covering 10 national public libraries holdings of fiction and nonfiction bestseller titles. Here are some of their results (published in Public Library Quarterly)

the average holds ratio rested at 2.7:1
The holds ratio range was from 0.8:1 to 6.5:1
There were roughly twice as many fiction best seller titles in the collections than nonfiction titles
The holds ratio for fiction titles did not differ greatly from the nonfiction titles (keep in mind that more fiction titles were in the collection)
There was not a significant relationship between holds ratio and library size
A trend in public libraries is to quickly purchase books off of bestseller lists

Hung up on Library Holds?

Get the Hang of Them!