The Library Doesn’t Own It…Now What?!?

It has happened to many of us. You search the catalog for that ONE book that you REALLY want to read…and you come up with nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zip.  Not a single library within the MORE Library System owns it.

Don’t rage! Don’t despair! You have options.

Suggestions for Purchase

You can suggest that the library purchase the book you really want to read. Or video game you want to play. Or movie you want to watch. The librarians who purchase items for the library’s collections are happy to review any suggestion community members (you) make. It’s not a guarantee that the library will buy the item you really want, but librarians take those requests seriously. They are ultimately guided by the library’s Collection Development Policy, yet oftentimes items suggested by community members are purchased. See the end of this post for a quick “how to” on submitting a suggestion for purchase.

Interlibrary Loan

You can submit a request to get the item you want from another library. In case you didn’t know, libraries are all about sharing things. Processes are in place to request items from other library systems across the state, region, and country. To find out more about Interlibrary Loan, click here or visit one of the Reference Services desks on Level Two.

How To: Suggestion for Purchase

• Go to the MORE catalog (https://www.more.lib.wi.us/).
• At the top of the page, click the link that reads “Suggestions.”

• Click “Suggestion for Purchase.”

• A separate pop-up window will appear (if it doesn’t, check to make sure your browser did not block the pop-up).
• Be sure to fill in your name, email, library card number, item title, and select Eau Claire from the drop-down menu. Any other information you have on the item is helpful, but not required.
• If you’d like to have the item placed “on hold” for you (if it’s purchased), be sure to select the “reserve this item” option on the bottom. Additionally, you have the choice to try and Interlibrary Loan the item if it’s not purchased.
• That’s it! If the item is purchased for the library and you selected “reserve this item for you,” it will automatically be placed on hold for you. When it arrives, you will receive a notification however you normally do (e.g. email).

And, as always, please let us know if you have questions. We’re here to help.