Placing Holds + Requests

Placing Holds

A hold is an online request to have an item delivered to the library location of your choice. Place a hold for items that are located at a library location that is inconvenient for you to get to (eg. RCRF) or for items that are currently "checked out" to another person. To place a hold follow these steps:

  • If your account is blocked for any reason, you will not see the holds button. If this happens to you, please Ask Us and we will help you
  • Find the item you want using Search the Library (make sure you are signed in)
  • Click the Place Hold button
  • Select your prefered library pickup location
  • Wait for the email notification indicating your items are ready for pickup

You cannot place holds on Multimedia Technology Lending (video cameras, cameras, etc.), Course Materials or items marked Read on Site.

Request scanned or digital copies (Digital Copy Requesting Service)

U of A employees, students, and alumni may request a digital copy of a single book chapter or print journal article that is held in the U of A Library collection. To do so, you need to click on Digital Copy Request (Chapter/Article) in library search (please note: you have to log in AND be a U of A employee, student, or alumni to see this option).

  • One chapter per book maximum!
  • You may request up to ten digital copies from ten different items at a time.
  • Turnaround time is not guaranteed, but we aim for 10 days.
  • Checked out items will take longer, as we wait for their return.

Content will be reproduced and provided or communicated pursuant to the University of Alberta Fair Dealing Guidelines.

Questions? Contact ill@ualberta.ca.

Request materials from other libraries (Interlibrary Loans)

The Interlibrary Loan/Document Delivery department will request books, articles, etc. from other libraries on behalf of UofA students, staff, and alumni, free of charge. We pay any associated fees* (e.g. shipping, copying charges, borrowing charges).
More about Interlibrary Loans >>

Use My Account to check the status of Loans, Holds + Requests, view Notices and Pay Fees.