Lately, you might’ve noticed Libby looks a little different when it comes to managing your holds. The “Deliver Later” option that so many of us used to depend on is officially gone. It’s been replaced by a new system that uses something called suspend and unsuspend.
At first glance, it sounds the same, but it works a bit differently. Before, if you weren’t ready for a book, you could hit “Deliver Later” and pick a date — maybe a week or even a few months out — and Libby would automatically hold your spot until then. Now, instead of choosing a specific timeframe, you “suspend” the hold yourself. When you’re ready to actually get the book, you have to manually “unsuspend” it.
The change might seem small, but it’s shaking up how I manage my virtual TBR piles. The idea behind it is to keep waitlists moving faster and cut down on unclaimed holds. You still move up the queue while your hold is suspended, which means you won’t lose your place. But here’s the catch: if you leave something suspended for an entire year — 365 days straight — Libby will automatically cancel it. So if you’re the type who likes to park holds for later, it’s worth setting a reminder to check them now and then.
Honestly, I see both sides. On one hand, it gives readers a little more control and keeps the system from getting jammed up with books people forgot about. On the other hand, I’ll miss being able to set a date and let Libby handle it for me. Now, I have to remember to go back in and unsuspend things myself — and if I forget, my hold could disappear.
Still, I get why Libby made the change. Libraries were seeing a ton of “Deliver Later” titles sitting in limbo, and that slowed down access for everyone else. This update should make things more fair for people actively waiting to read. It’s just going to take a bit of getting used to.
So if you haven’t opened your Libby app in a while, take a peek at your holds. Anything that says “Suspended” will need your attention sooner or later. Tap “Manage Hold,” choose “Unsuspend,” and you’ll be back in the reading line.
What do you think of the change? I’m still on the fence. Part of me loves how it keeps things moving, but the other part of me is going to miss the old “Deliver Later” safety net.
What do you think about the changes?