If you’ve ever searched the library catalog, the New York Public Library's online catalog, you’ve probably noticed books and other items listed with a status of “Trace”, “Missing” or something more mysterious. What do exactly do these terms mean?

Trace means that the last time that someone looked for an item, it wasn’t on the shelf. Most of the time, however, the item shows up within a few days…or it was there all along. So look for the item where it’s supposed to be. You’ll probably find it!

Missing items were listed as “Trace” for several months. These items are less likely to be on the shelf. These items are either badly mis-shelved or they went home with an unscrupulous soul.

Checked In books are supposed to be on the shelves. If you look on the shelf and you don’t find it, it’s probably just mis-shelved. Ask one of our librarians to place a hold on the item for you. It will probably turn up, although we can’t say exactly when.

A date (such as 13 Dec 2007) indicates when an item that has been borrowed is due. If you place a hold on a checked-out item, the person who has it out cannot renew it beyond the due date. (However, we cannot predict exactly when the item will be returned.)

Being Held / Transit Hold mean that the item is waiting for a library borrower to pick up her reserve item / is en route to the pick-up branch location.

Lost items are checked-out items that borrowers say have been lost. These items are usually not recovered. If you would like us to order additional copies of a title, please speak to a librarian in the collection or branch that originally owned the item.

Claimed returned are items that borrowers believe that they have returned, but the library has no record of the transaction. Borrowers have several months to wait for the item to turn up before the item is changed to Lost.

In Transit items are ones that have been returned to branches other than their home branch. The item should be back in about a week.

Shelving Cart means that the item was recently returned to its home branch or it is a new item that was just processed. These items are usually not accessible, but sometimes our handling happens faster than expected and the item may be at its shelf location.

On Order means that the item has been ordered and we are waiting to receive it from our distributor. This takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months, with 1-2 months being the average delivery time frame.

Coming Soon means that the item has been received by the library but it has to be processed. The item will most likely be on the shelf within 1 month.

Please speak to a librarian if you have any questions.