Starting March 19, The Seattle Public Library is reducing the maximum holds on e-books and e-audiobooks from 25 to 10 due to rising costs and increased demand. The Library invests in digital collections to meet patron interest, but the pricing model for digital books is up to three times more expensive for libraries than print versions. Patron holds significantly impact costs, leading to astronomical expenses in fulfilling popular title demands. This change aims to manage costs and provide a diverse selection of e-books and e-audiobooks. Alternative tools such as the “Shelves” feature in the online catalog and the “Tags” feature in the Libby app are suggested for tracking books. To access popular digital books without holds, check out OverDrive’s Always Available collection.
https://shelftalkblog.wordpress.com/2024/03/13/the-seattle-public-library-is-reducing-our-maximum-digital-holds-heres-why/