Placing items on hold? Got membership questions? Here are the answers

More of our libraries are open and you may want to get back into placing items on hold.

How? Easy.

From our homepage, choose the Catalogue link. You can use the catalogue as normal, but take care to choose an open library as your pick-up point for items. If the item is available, your hold will be delivered to that library. Note that items held at closed libraries may not be available.

Lots of great books are back in circulation now that open libraries are accepting returns. We also have a Facebook page where there are discussions on what to read. Our website will keep you up with what’s new in stock and has plenty of  suggestions for reading.

Below are some frequently-asked questions on membership and placing items on hold using the catalogue.

Membership questions

I don’t have proof of address or ID – can I join the library?

Yes, we will enrol you for three months so you can use library services and take out 2 items at a time. There is no charge to join the library. Bring ID and proof of address within three months and you will become a full member.

My card is in an earthquake damaged building and I can’t get it. Can I get another card?

Yes, free of charge.

I had items out at the time of the 22 February earthquake – will I be fined for not returning them?

No. The issue period for all material due back on or after 13 February has been extended to 1 May. Fines for these items have also been waived.

If I have had items issued since 22 February, when are they due?

Usual issue periods apply. Most items can be borrowed for 28 days. Read more about membership.

My items are in an earthquake-damaged building and I can’t get them. What happens?

If you have items in a damaged house or building that you can not enter, no action will be taken in the short-term but items will remain issued to your card. We can set you up a new account so you can still borrow from us.

Holds on library items

Placing a hold

We call items placed on hold “holds”. Our holds system is operational. From our homepage, choose the Catalogue link. You can use the catalogue as normal, but take care to choose an open library as your pick-up point for items. If the item is available, your hold will be delivered to that library. Items held at closed libraries may not be available.

Frequently-asked questions about items on hold

I had an item on hold on 22 February. What has happened to it?

Holds which were ready for collection at the time of the earthquake won’t have expired, so are available if your library is open.

Which libraries can I collect my items on hold from?

Some libraries are now collection points for neighbouring libraries: 

• Bishopdale – pick up items on hold for Bishopdale, Fendalton and Papanui
• Hornby – pick up items on hold for Hornby and Upper Riccarton
• New Brighton – pick up items on hold for Linwood and New Brighton
• Redwood – pick up items on hold for Redwood and Shirley
• South – pick up items on hold for Central, South and Sumner
• Spreydon – pick up items on hold for Halswell, Lyttelton and Spreydon

As other libraries open, this list will be reviewed.