Q. How will I be notified that an item I placed on hold is available?

When a requested item is at your designated branch to be checked out, a hold notice is sent. The contact information recorded in your library account determines whether hold notices are delivered by email, by text message (optional), or by phone. There is a $1 fee per item if a held item is not picked up within seven days of your being notified.  Special information about Hold Request notification for Downloadable eBooks and audiobooks.

Checking your online library account through the Account area at the top of our home page ( www.bcpl.info/ ) will show you the status of items you have placed on hold. A “Held” status means it is available at the branch to be checked out. Account information is also available by calling the Shelf Help Line at 410-494-9063

How to add or change your notification method:

1. Login to the Account section of our home page using your library card number without spaces and your password. Unless you changed it, your password is the last four digits of the phone number the library has listed in your account

2. Click on the Contact Information and Preferences button to add or change your email address. For instructions on how to add notification by text message see http://bcpl.libanswers.com/faq/74906

3. Finally click the Submit Change Request button at the bottom

BCPL will use email addresses only for library purposes and will use them only for the purpose of communicating library information to our customers.

If you prefer, you can also sign up for the email or text notification service at the Accounts Desk or the Information Desk at any Baltimore County Public Library branch (https://www.bcpl.info/locations/index.html).

To ensure that you get your BCPL emails, add these addresses to your email address book:

• monitor@bcpl.net
• notifyme@bcpl.net
• notice@bcpl.net

Downloadable eBooks and Audiobooks Hold Requests

Hold notices for downloadable books are sent to the email you enter when you place the hold. If you have more than one email account be sure to remember which one you used to place the hold and check the email often. Once the email notice has been sent you will have three days (72 hours based on time and date stamp on notice) to retrieve holds.  If you do not retrieve your hold, the hold will expire and the book will be returned to the library’s collection.