Placing Requests

You can place a request for a title in your search results list and ask that the title be held for you at a library location you select. Your library may also allow requests for specific copies of a title. You need your barcode number (library card number) or user name and password to request a title. For information about setting up a library account and obtaining a password, click User’s Guide. Your library may limit the number of requests you can make, or may charge a fee.

• “Request a title”

• “Request a specific copy of a title”

Request a title

Follow these steps to request any copy of a title listed in your search results.

Tip:
To request your library’s newest materials, check the dashboard area at the side of the page. You may see lists such as New Titles and On-Order Items. Click a title in a list to search for the title, then follow these steps to request it.

1. Navigate the search results list to the title you want.

2. Click Place Request.

Note:
The Place Request button is not displayed for titles that are Web sites or electronic resources.

The log-in form appears.

Note:
If your library allows a single log-in for your Polaris session, and you have already logged in, the log-in form does not appear. Go to step 4.

3. Type your barcode number (library account number) or user name and password in the appropriate boxes, and click Log In.

The request form appears.

4. Select, from the Pickup Library list, the name of the library where you want to pick up the requested item.

5. If you want to activate your request at a future time, type the date in the Activation Date box in the format mm/dd/year (for example,
02/05/2007 for February 5, 2007).

If you want your request to be active immediately, leave today’s date in the Activation Date box.

6. If you want to add a note to your request, type the text in the Note box.

7. Click Submit Request.

If other requests are active for the same title, the library may display a message that tells you how many requests have been placed before yours. You can choose to continue or cancel the request. If you click Continue, a message informs you that your request has been placed.

Note:
Your request may not be successful if your patron account is blocked or if the requested material does not circulate. A message is displayed if your request cannot be placed.

8. Click Return to search results to display your search results again, or click Go to list of hold requests to see your current list of requests.

Important:
Protect your privacy. If you see your name and a Log Out link at the top of the page, you are logged in. Be sure to click Log Out before you leave the computer.

Related Information

You can review the status of your requests, and suspend, reactivate, or cancel them online. Click User’s Guide for more information.

Request a specific copy of a title

Follow these steps to request a specific copy of a title, if your library provides this option.

1. Navigate the search results list to the title you want.

2. Click the title, the book jacket, or the Availability or Full Display button for a title in the search results list.

3. Click Availability if the list of locations is not already displayed.

4. Select the request icon next to the item you want to request.

Note:
If you cannot request a specific item, the request icon is not displayed for that item.

The log-in form appears.

Note:
If your library allows a single log-in for your Polaris session, and you have already logged in, the log-in form does not appear. Go to step 6.

5. Type your barcode number (library account number) or user name and password in the appropriate boxes, and click Log In.

The request form appears.

6. From the Pickup Library list, select the name of the library where you want to pick up the requested item.

7. If you want to activate your request at a future time, type the date in the Activation Date box in the format mm/dd/year (for example,
02/05/2010 for February 5, 2010).

If you want your request to be active immediately, leave today’s date in the Activation Date box.

8. If you want to add a note to your request, type the text in the Note box.

9. Click Submit Request.

A message ask you to confirm that you want this specific copy. If you do, click This item only. If you decide that any copy is acceptable, click First available copy.

If other requests are active for the same item, the library may display a message that tells you how many requests have been placed before yours. You can choose to continue or cancel the request. If you click Continue, a message informs you that your request has been placed.

Note:
Your request may not be successful if your patron account is blocked or if the requested material does not circulate. A message is displayed if your request cannot be placed. Also, a message may inform you that you cannot request a hold on a specific copy. For example, the item may be lost or may not circulate, or the library may not allow requests for items available on the shelves for check-out.

Important:
Protect your privacy. If you see your name and a Log Out link at the top of the page, you are logged in. Be sure to click Log Out before you leave the computer.

Related Information

You can review the status of your requests, and suspend, reactivate, or cancel them online. Click User’s Guide for more information.