About the Catalog's Button :

The Request button is located at the top and bottom of an item's catalog record.

The Request button may be used for three reasons:

  1. If you are searching the catalog from home, you may use the Request button to have an available APL item held for you at the Library circulation desk.

  2. If an APL item is currently checked out, you may use the Request button to request the next available copy in the Minerva system.

  3. If an item is not owned by APL, you may search for it at other libraries in the Minerva system. (How do I do this?) If you find the item in Minerva, you may use the Request button to have it shipped to APL for you.

We will call you when an item you've requested has arrived at the APL circulation desk and is ready for you to pick up.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I use the catalog to search for an item that is not owned by APL?

2. How will I know when an item I've requested from another library is ready to pick up?

3. Is there a limit to the number of items I can request from other libraries?

4. Can I request anything I find in the library catalog?

5. What if I don't have a library card?

 

1. How do I use the catalog to search for an item that is not owned by APL?

When you search for an item in the library catalog, the catalog will always check to see if Auburn Public Library owns the item first.

If you find the item is not owned by APL, you may then search for the item in other Maine libraries.

To do this:  1) Use the drop-down menu (near the Search button at the top of the page) and choose All MINERVA locations.  Or, if this doesn't bring up the item you're looking for, 2) click on the black Search InfoNet button at the top or bottom of the page.

If your item still doesn't come up, it may not be available in the catalog. See a library staff person for help with searching or to see about placing an interlibrary loan request.

 

2. How will I know when an item I've requested is ready to pick up?

We will call you when your requested item has arrived at Auburn Public Library. We will then hold the item for you at the APL circulation desk for five business days. Items not picked up by the end of this period will be returned automatically to the lending library.

 

3. Is there a limit to the number of items I can request from other libraries?

The Maine InfoNet catalog limits the number of items that can be placed on hold or request to five. This includes any combination of items owned by APL and other libraries. Once a patron has used the request button to hold or request a total of five items, the system will not allow the patron to hold or request any more items until at least one of those items has been checked back into the system.

 

4. Can I request anything I find in the library catalog?

While there are a few exceptions, in general, any item in the catalog that is designated as "Available" for a library’s own patrons is eligible for online requesting by patrons of other libraries.

The system will not allow you to place an online request if an item is not eligible.

 

5. What if I don't have a library card?

Click here for instructions on how to get one!

 

If you have additional questions or still need help, please call the reference desk at 333-6640 x4.