My father has the patience of a small child. Not until I could drive myself did I go to an amusement park, a sit down restaurant or the funeral of a non-immediate relative.  All involved waiting–waiting in line, waiting to be served or waiting for just the right emotional moment.  Waiting meant lost sleep and for a man who worked long hours, sacrifices had to be made.  Great-aunt Cora would just have to understand.

My queue coping skills permanently stunted, but unwilling to forgo Hersheypark for the rest of my life, I took a different approach.  If waiting was inevitable, then being early provided compensation.  First at the table meant spearing the biggest pork chop before my three siblings.  Setting the alarm a half hour early equaled hot water in the shower at college.  To this day, I enthusiastically volunteer to set the table at Easter for my mom, just so I can be first to snag a deviled egg or two.

Now Cecil County Public Library is jumping on my early arrival bandwagon.  In this case, the early bird gets to place a hold on adult books before they even arrive. Titles that are on-order will begin showing up as “on order” in the catalog starting this week, some months in advance of their appearance at any store. Place a hold on it right then and there to save your place in line.

Some titles I’ll be placing an early hold on include:

The Cassandra Project by Jack McDevitt
What if Armstrong was actually the fifth man to walk on the Moon? Did two early test flights do more than merely orbit?  This book is a conspiracy theorist’s dream come true.

Habits of the House by Fay Weldon
The only way for the Earl of Dilberne to clear his debts in 1899 Britain is to marry off his children to rich Americans. The perfect solution for those needing a Downton Abbey fix.

City of Dark Magic by Magnus Flyte
Enchanted manuscripts, time travel and a dash of romance envelope the search for Beethoven’s “Immortal Beloved”.  This read echoes Harkness’ Shadow of Night.

Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich
When Stephanie just can’t seem to blend in at a recently embezzled assisted living facility, it’s up to Grandma Mazur to investigate.

Get some tips on placing on order holds with these helpful directions that include pictures.

What upcoming titles are you waiting impatiently for?

Great news for patrons who are eager to read the newest books! Cecil County Public Library will now begin displaying new adult books in our catalog as soon as they are ordered.  You can view the bestsellers earlier and even place holds on them BEFORE they arrive in the library and before they are published.

To find these on-order books, simply search by title. You can tell if a book is on order by checking the Shelf Location – if it says “Material on order,” we have ordered the book and you can place a hold. All on-order materials will say “Available: 1,” even when we are ordering many copies. Ignore that and rest assured that we usually order several copies and holds will be distributed amongst all copies.

If you click on the specific item, you will also see that the status says “Material on Order.”

Please note that on-order books will not appear on the scroll of new materials.  The scroll is reserved for books that are already published, processed and out for the public.

As soon as you hear your favorite author is publishing a new book, search our catalog and place a hold!  For help, don’t hesitate to stop by any CCPL branch, call 410-996-5600 ext. 481, or email us at ask@ccplnet.org