What are book requests?

Several Montgomery County libraries are connected so that a patron seeking a book that does not belong to their home library collection, can borrow that book from a neighbor library by requesting the book.  The request is made, and the book is sent to the patron’s library for pick up.

How do I request a book?

Book requests can be made 1 of 3 ways.
1. A patron can come to the library and fill out a book request slip.
2. A patron can call their library and make the request by phone.
3. A patron can request a book through the MCLINC catalog search application. Your library card barcode and a password will be required. Please specify Upper Perkiomen Valley Library as the pick up library.

What happens once a book is requested?

Once the request is placed, the neighbor library will send the requested book to Upper Perkiomen Valley Library. The book will be placed on reserve, and a librarian will contact the patron via email for pick up.

* Please keep your information updated at the library as patrons will be contacted by the email on their registration. If no email is given, patrons will be called.

Requested books will be held in reserve at the library for no longer than one week. If the requested book is not picked up in that time period, it will be returned to the neighbor library.

How long does it take for a requested book to arrive at the library?

Requested books will take anywhere from a few days to several months to arrive depending on the waiting list. As soon as the library receives any requested books, the requesting patron is notified that day by email or phone, if no email is on the patron registration.

How long may I keep a requested book?

Loan periods for books borrowed from other libraries are subject to the loan periods established by that library. Please check your receipt for the correct loan period.