Making Requests
What can be requested
- Requests (or reservations) may be placed on all items except those in Reference or hourly collections. Exception: Distance students can not place a request on journals via the catalogue.
- There is a limit to the number of requests any borrower can have on the system at any one time.
- You can view requests you are waiting for through My Library Account.
Where to collect your requested item
- You may choose a library from which to pick up your request, with some exceptions (see below). Items that are on loan when requested will be sent to the library of your choice on return.
- Collection and delivery of items not already on loan will normally take 3-4 days and may take longer.
- High Demand items can only be picked up from their home library.
- Requests for distance borrowers are posted via the Education Library. For this reason distance students can not choose a pick up location - this will be allocated automatically.
- Special Collections items from Storage may only be viewed in the Special Collections Room on Level 3 of the Central Library - the pick up location will automatically be assigned to the Central Library.
How to make a request
Requests are made using the Library Catalogue. Items which are not due within the next 7 days will be recalled for you.
1) Click "Request first available copy"
Note: There is a "Request This Copy" option available under Copy/Holding information, but as a rule you should use this only when a specific copy is necessary, for example if you need vol 2 of a 3 volume set. In all other instances Request first available copy is likely to be the most efficient option.
2) Login
Use your UC username and password. If you are not a member of staff or a student at the University of Canterbury you will need to use your Library barcode and PIN number.
3) Select a pick up location.
Note your position in the queue, then select a pickup location using the dropdown menu. Click Request to confirm your request. Note: Distance students can not choose a pick up location - this will be allocated automatically.
If you do not select a pickup location, you will get the following advice:
4) View the request confirmation
Once the request has been successfully placed, you will then get the following confirmation:
5) Wait for notification that your request is ready to collect
Email is the preferred way of notifying you when your request is ready for you to collect. Notification about the availability of a request on a 3 day item is only available by email.
Number of requests allowed
Borrower Type |
Number of Requests |
| Undergraduate | 10 |
| Undergraduate distance | 15 |
| Staff | 30 |
| Staff distance | 35 |
| Staff temporary | 25 |
| Research | 20 |
| Research distance | 25 |
| Subscribers | 10 |
Return to the Library Catalogue.