Everything you need to know about placing holds and renewing loans!
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Requesting Materials: Placing a Hold
Did you know that you can request any physical item in our collection from any NVDPL location? You can do this online through the catalogue, or you can ask a librarian to help you during your visit. If the item is popular, you will be placed on the waiting list. There is no charge to place a hold, but a charge of $2 will apply for holds that are not picked up in time.
You can request a maximum of 30 items at a time. Once you reach this limit, you will see a message to let you know you currently don't have any more room to place holds (e.g., "The maximum number of requests for your borrower type has been exceeded."). Checking out or cancelling one of your holds will free up room to place another hold again. There is no annual limit on holds.
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Getting Notified
You can choose whether you’d like to be notified by email or by automated phone message when your holds are ready for pick-up and you will have 7 days to pick your item(s) up. If you need help with managing your preferences for notifications, please contact your local branch.
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Cancelling a Hold
Changed your mind? No problem. You can cancel holds through your account online or by speaking to a Library staff member. Please be sure to cancel holds before they expire to avoid a fee.
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Suspending a Hold
You also have the option to suspend holds, which means that the library will skip over your place in line for the time period you specify, while still keeping your place in the queue. At the end of the suspension period, your hold automatically becomes active again. You can learn how to suspend your holds by watching this quick video.
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Speed Reads
Looking for the latest bestseller? Speed Reads are popular, current books for adults that are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and cannot be reserved or renewed. Speed Reads must be returned directly to an NVDPL branch.
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Fast Tracks
Fast Tracks are new DVDs and Blu-Rays that are available for three-day loans only, and there is a limit of four per card. Fast Tracks are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and cannot be reserved or renewed. Fast Tracks must be returned directly to an NVDPL branch.
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Renewals
We have an automatic renewal system that may be able to extend the length of your loan on eligible materials as long as no one is waiting for them and they haven't reached the maximum number of renewals (2). You will receive an email confirmation of which items are renewed and you can bring them back before the new due date! Additionally, materials like Fast Track DVDs and Speed Reads will not be renewed. Please ask staff if you have questions!
You can also renew items yourself online:- Log in to your Library Account online by entering your username or barcode and PIN (the last 4 digits of your phone number).
- Under your Library Dashboard, choose " Checked Out."
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Click “Renew” to renew one item, or “Select All” and “Renew selected” to renew multiple items at time.
Items can also be renewed in person or through our automated telephone notification system at 604-981-3190.
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Going on Vacation?
If you anticipate being away when materials are due, please speak with Circulation Staff at the time of your initial check-out so we can make sure you have the time you need with your materials. Extended Loans are not available for Fast Tracks, Speed Reads, or high-demand items. Also, please consider Suspending your Holds, so you don't miss them while you are away.
Note: If you have more than $5.00 in charges, you will not be able to renew your items. Charges can be paid online or at the Circulation desk in the library. If your Library card has expired, you will also be blocked from renewing items.
You may also receive an error when trying to renew online if others are waiting for for the materials you have borrowed. If you need more time, please contact the library to speak with staff about options to avoid incurring fees for replacement costs and processing, which are applied at 28 days overdue.
