How to Request that a book on loan be held for you

If the book that you want is out on loan you may place a request on the item. Use the Requests option on the Library Catalogue.  Once you have placed your request the current loan period on the item is reduced and the user who has the item on loan is emailed with a new due date.

If the book has the Status On order, In process, Binding, or Repairs, you can't place a Request on it directly; you'll need to ask staff at Barr Smith Library Service Enquiries. Staff in our branch libraries can also place a Request on these items for you.

Please remember:

• the book must be on loan before you can place a Request for it
• you may also Request books that are on the New books shelf
• you need to be a current student or staff member at the University of Adelaide, or a registered University of Adelaide Library user, to be able to place Requests
• If the book or journal that you want is in the Joint Library Store, please go to the Joint Library Store page for information on how to Request that the item be paged for you

Here's how to place a Request on a book that is on loan:

• go to the Record view for the item you want
• Make sure the book is on loan -- there'll be a Due date on the Status: line

The screen will look like this:

• click the Requests link on the navigation bar near the top (or at the bottom) of the screen

You will first need to authenticate yourself as a member of the University of Adelaide community by logging in to MyLibrary:

You will see this screen:

• Leave the setting as Recall
• Click OK

This will bring up the Request/Recall screen:

• Select the copy number you want, if there is more than one copy due on different dates
• the system will default to the Barr Smith Library Loans Desk as pick up location; you can change this to another Library (Law Library, Waite Library, etc.) if it is more convenient for you

What happens next ?

When the book is returned from loan we'll send you an email message telling you that it available.

• Pick up your requested book from the Barr Smith Library Self Serve Holds Shelf, or at the Library you nominated on the Request/Recall form
• We'll hold the book for you for four days

Checking your Requests/Cancelling a Request

You can check what Requests you have pending through the MyLibrary function on the Library catalogue.

If you want to cancel a Request because you no longer need the book, please do this through MyLibrary. The book can go straight back to the shelves or to the user with the next request.

If you want to see what your Requests will look like, go to the MyLibrary help page.

Why can't I ?

Sometimes the system will not let you place a Request on an item. You may see an error message such as:

• 'You have no requests available on this database'

or

• 'You may not have entered your barcode and name correctly'

If you are having problems placing a Request, please contact staff at Barr Smith Library Service Enquiries (or at your Branch Library) to help you.

Common reasons why you can't place a Request:

• You are suspended from borrowing because you have accrued 60 or more demerit points for late return of books from loan
• Your University ID Card has been reported lost
• Your address on the University database is incorrect
• You have not paid a Library invoice

It is not possible to place a Request on an item if:

• The book is listed in the Catalogue as 'In process' or 'On order' or 'Binding' or 'Repairs' - you can't directly place a Request but Library staff will gladly do it for you
• The book is not on loan
• You are a reciprocal borrower from the University of South Australia or from Flinders University