With budget cuts, it's hard for the library to keep up with demand, though we do our best! Sometimes we won't have the item that you're looking for. However, since you belong to the Kutztown Community Library of the Berks County Public Libraries, you're in luck! All of the 24 Berks County Public Libraries, from Leesport to Robesonia, have their collections combined into one giant countywide catalog. It's like one giant library, split into many different buildings.
Therefore, if we don't have the item that you want, but other Berks County libraries do, you can request the item to come to our library, where you can check it out normally! Once you request an item, you're put on a list. Every day, libraries pull the items that patrons have requested and send them to the patrons that want them. It usually only takes a few days for you to receive the item that you requested. If you requested a popular item, it will take longer, but you are still guaranteed to get the item that you want. You can request up to 10 different items at one time.(See the Using Your Account post for more information on requesting items.)
Once we receive the item(s) that you requested, we contact you by phone or email to tell you that we're holding your requested item for you at the desk. We hold the item for one week from the day we contact you, so if you get our message but can't come in for a few days, your item will still be here waiting for you. If you know that you're going to be on vacation or can't pick up an item for another reason, you can call the library to ask if you can extend your hold time. When you come to the library to pick up your item, let us know that you're here to pick up your holds, and hand us your library card. (If you're picking a hold up for a relative or a friend, make sure you have their library card - holds must be checked out to the person they're being held for). We'll check the item out to you and it's yours to enjoy until the due date! You can renew the items if you need to, unless someone else has requested the item. Once you're finished with the item, you can return it to our library, or any of the Berks County Public Libraries. Since all of the libraries are on the same system, whatever library you return the item to will check it in and forward it to the proper library on your behalf.
Note: School libraries are not part of the Berks County public library system; please return your school books to the school libraries, and public library books to the public libraries.
If you cannot find the item that you want in the catalog, call the library to double check the catalog. If the desired item is not in any of the libraries, you could try searching for it in Access PA.
Access PA consists of many separate libraries statewide who voluntarily share their items for statewide inter-library loans (ILLs). Access PA allows you to search through a number of school, college, public, and special libraries to find the item you want. These libraries are not in the same system or the same county as our library, so special arrangements have to be made.
First, you need to log in to the Access PA website. Go to our website, click on the Resources tab, then click on the Access Pennsylvania Database link. If you are not physically in our library, you will have to log in using your library barcode first. If you are in the library when you click on the link, it will take you straight to a colorful picture of PA. Click on the link at the top of the state picture, where it says "Select a county or click here to search the entire state." On the next page, click on "All Libraries." On the resulting page, click on "Keyword" to search by subject, or click on "Author," "Title," or "Author and Title" to search for your item. Type in the correct information, then click "Search." A list of results will appear. (If the desired item does not appear, check your spelling and try again. However, it may be that none of the libraries have this item either.) Click on the correct title to display an information page, then print this page. Fold the page in half, and write your name and phone number on the blank back side of the page. Bring the page in to the library and turn the paper in at the desk. The library ladies will put the request through for you and contact you by phone when your item comes in. The items are sent to our library through the mail, so it may take a while for you to receive the item.
When you come in to pick up the Access PA ILL, it will already be checked out to you with a set due date, since it came from an out-of-county library that has different policies and due dates. The due date will be written on a yellow paper band that is wrapped around the item's cover. Do not remove the yellow band - we need the information that is written on it! When you are finished with the item, you must return it to our library by the due date. Sometimes you can renew an item - please call the library to see if they can extend the due date for you.
Note: It costs the library about $10 for every Access PA inter-library loan that is made. Please keep this in mind when requesting items - always search through the Berks County Public Library catalog first as mentioned above or call the library for assistance before attempting to use Access PA.
(If you're more of a visual person, you can view the Access PA requesting guide with pictures here.)
We hope that this guide makes requesting items clearer and easier for you. If you're still unsure about requesting books, don't hesitate to call the library! We're happy to help!
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