printprint help contentshelp contents return to cataloguecatalogue

Hold requests

What is a request

The hold request or request function enables you to request a library item online via the catalogue. The item can be on the shelves, on hold for another patron, out on loan or at another campus

You can request an Any Copy hold for an item or a This Copy hold. If a request is placed on an item out on loan, the due date of the item will not change, but the patron who has the item will not be able to renew it

You will be advised by email when your hold request is ready to collect from the Ask Desk of your choice. If you are an FIS (Flexible Information Service) client the item will be posted to your UniSA mailing address

Who can place a request

Most registered borrowers can place requests including Alumni, Community and Gold Pass members. However reciprocal borrowers from the University of Adelaide and Flinders University are not able to place requests

Can I place a request on any item

University of South Australia students, staff, student affiliates (SAIBT, CELUSA) and UniSA Open Universities Australia (OUA) students can place a request on any Main collection item or 4 day High Demand item. The format of  the material can be a book, AV (audio visual) or TRC (Teaching Resource Collection) item

Alumni, Community and Gold Pass members can place requests on Main collection items only

A request cannot be placed if:

  • the item is not normally allowed to be borrowed eg Reference collection, Journals
  • the item has a status of On Order
  • the item is on 4 hour High Demand item
  • the item’s location is URRSA Store (place an URRSA Store Request instead)

How many requests can I place

There is no limit to the number of requests you can place

How do I place a request

Search for the item

  • run a search, then click on the item you want. This will take you to the library record for the item. (An exact title search may take you straight to the record rather than to a list of items)
    Note: you cannot use the check boxes for a list of items to place a request. You must go to the library record for each individual item
  • scroll down to check the Location and Status information for all copies to see if you can place a hold request for the item
  • click on the Requests button at the top of the screen
  • UniSA students and staff should enter their username and password. Other users should use their Library Barcode as Username, and Family Name as Password
  • click on the Login button. If you are already logged in you will automatically go to the next screen

To place a request

  • leave the Type of Request as Hold and then click on OK
  • you will see the Request: Hold form:
    • Any Copy: select this button to get the first available copy. This option is the one you will use most often
    • This Copy: this is an option if you need a particular volume in a set, or if you want a particular copy
    • Comment: leave the Comment section blank
    • Pick Up At: use the drop down arrow to choose the most suitable campus. The item will be held for you at the campus you select. If you are registered with the FIS you will need to choose FIS LOANS Desk as your pickup location
    • Not Needed After: the number in the box indicates how many days your request will remain active in the system. You may wish to change this number, but it must be greater than zero. If the item cannot be supplied within the specified number of days your request will be cancelled by the system
    • click on the Submit Request button
  • if your request was successful you will see the message "Your Request was successfully submitted - you will be notified of its progress via e-mail". You will be notified by email or post when the item is ready for you to pick up. If you are an FIS client the item will be posted to you
  • if your request didn't work you will see the message "Your attempt to request an item has not been successful"
  • to return to the item’s library record, click on the Back to Record button

How can I confirm that my request worked

Click on the My Record button to confirm that your hold request worked

  • scroll down to Requests Pending and ensure that the request you have just placed is listed
  • under the heading Status there should be both a position number and an expiry date. The position number indicates how many requests may already have been placed on the item eg Position: 3 means that you are third in line for the item
  • if there is no position number listed, you will need to cancel the request and try and replace it
  • if you are having difficulties please use Ask the Library

Why didn't my request work

Your request will not work if

    • the item is a 4 hour loan
    • the item is not normally allowed to be borrowed eg Reference collection, Journals
    • the item has a status of On Order
    • the item’s location is URRSA Store (place an URRSA Store Request instead)
    • you have exceeded your borrowing limit
    • you have a block on your record 
    • you have 60 or more demerit points
    • you are suspended from borrowing
    • you have outstanding invoices for overdue items and/or invoice processing fees totalling $100 or higher

How will I know when my request is ready

When the item is available you will be advised by email or mail. The item will be held at your chosen campus for 4 days (Main, TRC, URRSA, DM, AV  4 day High Demand collection items) at your nominated campus. If you are an FIS client the item(s) will be posted out to you

How do I cancel a request

  • login to My Record
  • scroll down to Requests Pending
  • click in the box in the Cancel? column for each item that you wish to cancel
  • click on the Cancel Requests button

 

6 December 2006
 

top of pagetop of page