Requesting Items (Placing Holds)
Is the item you want currently checked out? Place a hold request and library staff will notify you when it is ready for pickup at your preferred branch. Wait times vary depending on how many copies of the item are in circulation and the length of the waitlist. Staff are unable to estimate wait times.
Most ORL memberships allow you to request up to 100 holds at once.
How to Place a Hold
Online
Place a hold directly through the library catalogue. Make sure to double-check your pickup location is correct. For more information, please see our Help Article.
In person
Visit your local branch and ask staff for help, or use your online account.
By phone
Call your local branch and staff can place the hold for you.
Restricted Items
Hold requests cannot be placed on the following material:
- Reference items
- Magazines and Periodicals
- QuickReads
Pickup Notifications
When your item becomes available, the library will notify you. Items are held in branches for seven open days after notification of arrival. After seven days the item is returned to circulation and the hold will have to be placed again.
Many patrons choose to receive hold pickup notices by email. Staff can help you set this up.
Pause Your Holds
Going on vacation and don’t want to miss your holds? You can pause your holds in your online account.
While paused:
- Your requests continue moving up the queue
- If your turn arrives, the hold will be skipped rather than cancelled
- The hold will reactivate on the date you choose
- You will receive an updated location on the waitlist based on the reactivation date
You can manage this from the Holds page in your online account, or ask library staff for assistance.
If the ORL Doesn’t Have the Item You Want
Interlibrary loans are items borrowed from other British Columbia libraries and sent to your preferred ORL branch for pickup. Loan periods, renewals, and fees are determined by the lending library. ORL staff place the request and can help check renewal eligibility. Please contact your local branch for more information.
If you are a staff member at another library system who would like to borrow an item from the ORL, please contact the System Materials Handling Coordinator at 250-860-4033 or smhc@orl.bc.ca.
Happy reading!