Before making a reserve hold request, search the Library Catalog and verify that the title is available. If the book is checked in, you may call to have it held for 3 days (3 hours for CD/DVD/Audiobook Media items) for no charge. Depending upon the location of the book or item, you may call these numbers for free short-term holds during library hours of operation:

If the book is checked out or on order, you may request to be put on a waiting list for a nonrefundable service fee of $1.00 for each book. You may place your own reserves online through the library catalog.

How To Place a Hold Request Online

1. Login with your barcode number, 14 digits, no spaces (normally begins with 2111900xxxxxxx). Your PIN# is the last four numbers of your phone number when you registered for your library card.
2. Click on the Search tab and locate the item that you would like to request.
3. Click on the Request Item button. A request confirmation screen will appear.
4. Click the Place Request button to finalize. Watch how-to video.

How to Cancel A Hold Request

1. Login with your barcode number, 14 digits, no spaces (normally begins with 2111900xxxxxxx). Your PIN# is the last four numbers of your phone number when you registered for your library card.
   
2. Click on the Holds link under the My Account/Renew tab.
   
3. Place a check mark in the box located to the left of request to be cancelled, then click the Cancel Request button.
   If a hold is cancelled before the book arrives, the $1.00 fee will not be charged.

Reserve Rules and Restrictions

What types of items can be put on a waiting list?

• Online reserves can only be placed on checked out books. If a book is checked in, call the phone numbers listed above during the library's hours of operation to have a book held for up to 3 days.
• Media items such as CDs and DVDs cannot be reserved if they are checked out. If media items are checked in, you may call Media Services at (714) 375-5108 for free three hour holds.
• For checked out audiobooks, reserves may be done in person at the Media Department. There is a $1.00 fee for audiobook reserves that must be paid at the time of placing the request.

How much does it cost to be put on a waiting list?

• There is a $1.00 nonrefundable charge for each reserve hold request.
• The $1.00 fee must be paid when the book is picked up.
• If you fail to pick up your hold, the fee will be charged to your account.
• If you cancel your hold request before you receive the phone or email notification that it is ready to be picked up, you will not be charged the $1.00 fee.

How will I be notified when a book is ready to be picked up?

• You will be notified by a phone call when the hold is ready to be picked up.
• You have 5 days from the time of the phone notification to pick up your book.
• Holds may not be picked up for other people. The account holder's name under which the hold is placed must pick up the book.
• When placing the hold online, you may put a note in the comments field to be notified via email or at a specific phone number.

Can I specify at which location I want to pick up the book?

• New books must be picked up at the owning location. For example, if the branch that you wish to pick the book up at owns a copy, you must wait until the branch's copy is available for check out.
• For online holds, the default pick up location is Central. You may request items to be picked up at another location by typing a note in the comments field when placing the hold request. You may also call or ask in person for a book to be sent to another branch location.
• If you search for a book under the branch specific catalog, you can place a hold on the branch's copy of a book if it is checked out. The pickup location cannot be changed.