Milton Public Library

Placing Holds on Library Material

Search for an Item

• You can place holds on MPL material through our online library catalogue
• Click on Library Catalogue
• Basic Search opens
• Enter an author or click the down arrow to choose keyword or title search, enter the information required and click the red arrow
• Review the list of results and refine your search as necessary to locate the item you want

Placing Holds on Books

• Search for the item you are interested in
• When you have located the item you want, click on it, then scroll down and click Place a hold on this item
• Follow the instructions on the screen for entering your library card barcode and the last four digits of your phone number if you are not already logged in.
• Click Request then Return to searching or logout.
• You will be notified by telephone when the item is available for you

Placing Holds on DVDs

• Search for the item you are interested in
• Place your hold at the Item Information screen (Click on the title of the DVD and you should be able to see all the copies and parts of the DVD
• Usually you can just click on Request first available copy to place a hold request. In the case of series or multi-part DVDs, you may prefer to click on Request this copy to indicate which particular DVD you are interested in.
• Follow the instructions on the screen for entering your library card barcode and the last four digits of your phone number if you are not already logged in.
• Click Request then Return to searching or logout.
• You will be notified by telephone when the item is available for you

Placing Holds on Magazines

• Search for the item you are interested in
• You must be at the Item Information screen (Click on the title of the magazine and you should be able to see all the issues of the magazine)
• Click on Request this copy for each issue that you want
• Click Request then Return to searching or logout.
• You will be notified by telephone when the item is available for you

My List

• Please note that Add to my list is NOT the same as Place a hold on this item
• The "My list" button is for creating lists of material for your own use (future holds, books you've already read, et cetera)

Telephone or Email Notification

When an item you have placed on hold becomes available, you will receive a telephone call from the library, unless you have registered for the email notification service.

1. Why would I want to use e-mail to get my hold notices?
   Your hold notice will go directly to your e-mail address - unlike a phone message that can get erased or not relayed. You will also be given the title of the item available. We would not leave the title of a book with a family member or on voice mail because of privacy concerns.
2. Will I still get a telephone notification?
   Unfortunately not. If you choose the e-mail option that is the only way you will receive your notices.
3. I'm not a big user of my e-mail. Is this something I should pass on?
   If you don't check your e-mail a couple of times a week, this service may not be for you. We hold your items for seven days. If they are not picked up because you didn't check your e-mail, they go back on the shelf or to the next person on the holds list. If you've been waiting a long time for a title, this would be very disappointing.
4. Are there any set-up issues I should know about?
   There are two common problems to keep in mind. First, your home firewall and/or email software may block messages that are sent in bulk - as these notices will be. It may think that it is junk mail. If this happens you, you will need to configure your software to allow us through. Email messages from the library will have the subject heading "Message from the Milton Public Library" and will have been sent from the email address circulation@mpl.on.ca. And lastly, keep us up to date when you change your e-mail provider.
5. How do I register for email notification of my holds?
   Call the Circulation Desk at (905) 875-2665 or come into the Library and register at the Circulation Desk to begin receiving your notices by e-mail. There are changes that need be made in your record that only staff can do. If your email address changes after this initial setup, you can update your record yourself.
6. I've changed e-mail providers a number of times. Can I change my own e-mail address without coming into the Library?
   You certainly can. Go into the catalogue from the Library's home page and then go into "My Record". Under "Profile" change your present e-mail address or enter one for the first time. Be sure to press the Update button. For registered users of the email notification service, this will update your email address. Please note that first-time users of the email notification service must call the Circulation Desk or come into the Library and register at the Circulation Desk to begin receiving notices by e-mail.
7. This sounds great but I'd really appreciate a message when I've forgotten to return items. Is this possible?
   It is, but we're focusing on this service first. If it works well and the public likes it, we will consider overdue notices later on.