DC Public Library says catalog isn't sending digital hold alerts; manage holds via Libby

As of May 13, 2026, the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) posted an advisory saying its library catalog is not sending digital hold alerts and requesting that patrons manage digital holds using the Libby app. The notice, published on the library's public channels, directs users to Libby for placing, monitoring, and adjusting digital holds while the catalog issue persists.

DCPL's advisory does not provide a technical cause or a firm timeline for a fix. It emphasizes that patrons who rely on digital holds for ebooks and audiobooks should use Libby — the library's primary digital-lending app — to avoid missed notifications. The message is aimed at library cardholders across the District who access DCPL's digital collections.

What patrons are being asked to do

The library's guidance asks patrons to open Libby to view and manage any existing digital holds. That includes checking hold status, changing pickup preferences where available, and canceling holds if they are no longer needed. DCPL frames the Libby app as the best available channel for digital-lending management while the catalog alert problem continues.

Scope and immediate impact

The advisory applies to DCPL's integrated catalog system for digital materials and the alerts normally sent when items become available. The notice implies that email or in-catalog notifications tied to digital holds may not be arriving for affected patrons, increasing the risk that holds could become available without the patron receiving an alert.

DCPL's digital collection is a key access point for ebooks and audiobooks for residents across neighborhoods from Brightwood to Capitol Hill. For patrons who depend on timely alerts — for instance, to borrow newly available titles before they are lent to the next person in line — the interruption could mean missed borrowing windows unless they actively check Libby.

Library context and precedent

Libraries periodically experience technical issues with catalog services or third-party platforms that support digital lending. In this notice DCPL takes a pragmatic approach: redirect patrons to Libby rather than promise an immediate engineering timeline. That suggests the library expects Libby to remain functional and to be the most reliable interface for digital holds while back-end alerts are fixed.

Patrons without the Libby app or those who need help using it can contact DCPL support or visit a branch for assistance. The library's help resources typically include online guides and staff support for account linking, borrowing rules, and app use.

DCPL said it will update patrons when normal catalog alerts resume. For now, patrons who borrow digital titles should check Libby regularly or use the app's notification settings to stay informed about available holds.

## Why it matters to DC DCPL's alert outage affects all District residents who rely on the library's digital lending. Directing patrons to Libby changes how DC readers must manage holds and could affect access to high-demand ebooks and audiobooks across DC neighborhoods. ## Key details - DC Public Library posted an advisory that its catalog is not sending digital hold alerts. - Patrons are instructed to manage digital holds via the Libby app.

- The notice did not include a technical cause or estimated time to resolve. - The issue could cause patrons to miss availability notices for ebooks and audiobooks. - Patrons can contact DCPL help resources or visit branches for assistance with Libby. ## What to watch Monitor DCPL's website and social channels for updates on the catalog alert fix; check Libby regularly for newly available digital holds.