If you’re a library reader, you know the feeling: three holds become available at once, and suddenly your whole week is dictated by due dates.
A simple Library Holds Tracker in Notion helps you stay ahead of waitlists, pickup windows, and renewals—without turning reading into a chore.
If you want a clean, all-in-one setup for your reading life (TBR, finished, notes, stats), start here: NotionReads.
What to track for each library hold
At minimum, capture:
- Title + Author
- Format (ebook / audiobook / physical)
- Library/App (Libby, OverDrive, Hoopla, local branch)
- Status (On hold / Ready / Checked out / Returned)
Helpful extras (these are the ones that save you):
- Waitlist position (e.g. #42)
- Estimated wait ("~6 weeks")
- Ready-by date (pickup window ends)
- Due date (once checked out)
- Renewals left
- Priority (Read ASAP / Nice-to-have)
- Notes ("pair with book club discussion", "start on vacation")
The Notion database setup (fast + flexible)
Create a database called Library Holds with these properties:
- Book (Title)
- Author (Text)
- Format (Select)
- Library/App (Select)
- Status (Select: On hold, Ready, Checked out, Returned)
- Waitlist position (Number)
- Estimated wait (Text)
- Ready-by (Date)
- Due date (Date)
- Priority (Select)
- Notes (Text)
Optional (but powerful): connect to your main reading list
If you already have a master reading list database, make Book a Relation to it.
That way your reading list can show:
- which books are currently on hold
- whether you’ve already started them
- your notes and ratings later
If you don’t have one yet, start with this:
Views that make it feel like an app
Create these simple views:
1) “Ready now”
Filter:
- Status is Ready
Sort:
- Ready-by (ascending)
2) “On hold”
Filter:
- Status is On hold
3) “Checked out”
Filter:
- Status is Checked out
Sort:
- Due date (ascending)
4) “Low priority / later”
Filter:
- Priority is Nice-to-have
A gentle reading strategy for hold chaos
When multiple holds land at once, try this:
- Pick one “must-read” and set the rest to low priority.
- Use formats intentionally (audiobook for chores, ebook for bedtime).
- Avoid guilt-renewing—if you’re not in the mood, return it and re-hold.
If you’re doing a seasonal reset, this pairs well with:
Common questions
Can I track Libby and OverDrive together?
Yes. Use a Library/App select field and treat each app/branch as a source.
What if my library gives a 2–3 day pickup window?
Use Ready-by and keep the “Ready now” view sorted by it.
What about Hoopla (no holds)?
You can still track “planned borrows” by setting Status to On hold and leaving wait fields blank.
Next step: make it part of your full reading system
Once holds are under control, your next biggest win is having one place for your TBR, finished reads, and notes.
That’s exactly what NotionReads is for.
If you want to round out your setup, you might also like: