Borrowing Materials
Loan Conditions
- 3 week loan
- Up to 3 renewals*, if not on request by another patron
- Accounts owing more than $5.00 will have library privileges suspended
- Bestsellers can be renewed and placed on hold
Items borrowed from the Petersburg Public Library System may be subject to different loan periods and fines.
Renewing Items
How to Renew an Item Online
- Log on to the Catalog. See My Account if you need help logging in.
- At the top right of the screen, click your name.
- Click “Account Activity.”
- Locate the title(s) of the item(s) you wish to renew. Click the “Renew Loan” button for each item you wish to renew, OR
- To renew all of the items you currently have checked out, check the box at the top of the list of items. This will check all items. Then click the word “Renew” to the left of the checkbox. Your new due date will then show.
NOTE: All items can be renewed up to 3 times unless it is on request for another patron.
How to Renew an Item by Phone
- Call (804) 458-6329
- Follow the prompt, or press 0, to talk to a staff member.
- Please have your library card number ready.
Request an Item
How to Request an Item
- You must have an active library card and a 4-digit PIN.
- Search the catalog for the item you wish to request.
- When you have located the item you wish to place on hold, click “Place Hold.”
- A dialog box will appear asking you to log in if you are not already logged in. Enter your patron ID and 4-digit PIN. Click “Log On.”
- The Place a Hold dialog will appear next. The item you have selected will be named at the top.
- Choose your pick-up location. Note: Pick-up location defaults to your primary branch.
- You may choose to select the first available copy or a specific copy (if more than one copy is available). We recommend always choosing “first available copy” for the fastest results.
- When you are done, click “Submit Hold.”
- The confirmation dialog box will appear letting you know that your hold request was successful
Interlibrary Loan
What is Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a transaction in which items are borrowed from other libraries in Virginia and throughout the United States. The purpose of an interlibrary loan is to obtain materials (on behalf of patrons) that are not owned by the Appomattox Regional Library System (ARLS) or available through the Petersburg Public Library System (PPLS).
Interlibrary loan is an essential information service that expands the range of materials ARLS can make available to users. However, an interlibrary loan should serve as an adjunct to, not a substitute for, collection development at the local level.
FAQ for Interlibrary Loans
What is Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is a transaction in which items are borrowed from other libraries in Virginia and throughout the United States. The purpose of an interlibrary loan is to obtain materials (on behalf of patrons) that are not owned by the Appomattox Regional Library System (ARLS) or available through the Petersburg Public Library System (PPLS).
Is there a charge for using an Interlibrary Loan?
Normally, there is no charge for this service. However, the Library Administration reserves the right to pass along any charges incurred in the delivery and return of the material. Furthermore, patrons are liable for any overdue fines or replacement costs associated with items that are borrowed from other libraries.
What types of items are available through Interlibrary Loan?
For the most part, libraries will lend most print materials, but each library decides what it will or will not lend. For example, it is unusual for a library to loan very new, old, rare, and/or valuable material as well as audiovisual materials (CDs, DVDs, video games, etc.).
ARLS will try to obtain all materials requested via interlibrary loan except for the following:
- Material owned by ARLS or PPLS and temporarily in use
- Material less than six months old
- Titles not yet published
- Reference (non-circulating) material
- Multiple copies of a title for a class or other group use
Patrons should be aware that the following materials may take a long time to acquire or they may not be eligible for an interlibrary loan:
- Old, rare, or valuable material
- CDs, DVDs, audiobooks
- Entire issues of periodicals
- The material in high demand at the lending library
- Curriculum material, including textbooks
- Scripts, screenplays, and scores
- Multi-volume sets
- Genealogical material
If you can’t get the item through Interlibrary Loan, will you buy it?
If the item falls within the guidelines of the ARLS collection development policy it will be considered for purchase.
If an item is new or has yet to be published, can I get it through Interlibrary Loan?
The short answer is no. Libraries, generally speaking, do not loan new materials via ILL. Keep checking the ARLS catalog for the title of the item you want and place a hold on it as soon as the record appears in the catalog.
How do I request material through Interlibrary Loan?
Interlibrary loan requests can be made in person at any ARLS branch or by telephone at 804-458-6329 X1005.
What information do I need to make a request?
To request a book or audiobook you will need the author, title, and if possible, the year of publication.
To request a periodical article you will need the title of the journal, date, page numbers, author, and title of the article.
To request audiovisual materials you will need to provide a title, name of the artist, year of publication, and any additional identifying information.
A “need-by” date and pick-up location should be indicated at the time of the request, if applicable.
How long does it take to receive a requested item?
The time it takes to request and receive an item varies from item to item. Three to four weeks is an average waiting period. Of course, some items will arrive quickly within a week to two weeks.
How will I be notified when my materials arrive?
Patrons are notified by the method they selected when they registered for their library card. Items are kept on the holds shelf for 3 business days after they are due, or as long as the loan period permits.
How long can I keep Interlibrary Loan materials?
Typically, materials are available for two to four weeks, at the discretion of the loaning library. The loaning library may impose restrictions, such as “in library use” or “no renewals”. If you need additional time to use the material, please call 804-458-6329 X1005 as soon as possible. Renewals must be requested at least 5 business days before the due date. The loaning library grants permission for renewals, not ARLS staff. We cannot request renewals for items that are already overdue.
Please make every effort to return the items by the specified due date. Interlibrary loan service will be suspended for those who abuse the privilege, including those who repeatedly fail to pick up requested interlibrary loan material or who fail to return materials in a timely fashion.
What are my responsibilities for a lost or damaged item?
Payment must be made for materials lost or damaged while charged out to the borrower. No refunds will be made for lost and paid interlibrary loan materials that are subsequently found.
Lending libraries will often charge additional processing fees beyond basic replacement costs.
Interlibrary loan is dependent upon the generosity and goodwill between libraries. Please be careful with their property and return it on time
