Why am I blocked from placing holds?
Patron scoring and the blocked state, explained for members.
If you're seeing "Your account is on hold" when trying to place a hold or check out a book, your patron account has been flagged.
Why this happens
Shelfwise uses a patron score (A-F) based on:
- On-time returns (most weight)
- Engagement (some weight)
- Account standing (any active blocks)
When your score drops to F, you're automatically blocked from new holds and checkouts until you speak with a librarian.
What to do
Speak with your librarian. They can:
- Review your recent loan history
- Discuss any patterns (lost books, repeated late returns)
- Unblock your account once you've returned everything
The block is administrative, not punitive. Most libraries unblock the same day you return outstanding books.
How to avoid future blocks
- Return books by their due date
- Use the renewal feature when you need more time (Portal → My loans → Renew)
- Reach out to your librarian before a book becomes very overdue if there's an issue
Can I still browse the catalogue?
Yes. A block prevents new holds and checkouts but not browsing or saving books for later.
Can I see my patron score?
Currently the patron score is internal to your library. Some libraries display it in the portal; others don't. Ask your librarian if you'd like to know your current score.