Can’t find what you’re looking for at your Pierce County Library?
Let us know!
If you would like to borrow something from us that is not currently in the catalog, you can submit a request through OCLC WorldCat Discovery. The search is open to anyone to place a request for purchase or InterLibrary Loan. You will need to log in with your library card number and PIN.
Review the guide to using the request system. If you need additional help, please contact your local library.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can make a request?
Anyone with an active Pierce County Library System card can make a request unless it has one of the following statuses:
- Reciprocal borrowers
- Limited cards
- Visitor cards
- PACREG (online registration cards)
- A block for charges over $9.99
How do I find my login information?
Your login information will be the same as your login for your library account and online resources. You can update your PIN by going to your library account and selecting forgot your PIN. The default PIN is the last four digits of your phone number.
How do I request an item?
Review a guide to using the request system. If you need additional assistance, please contact your local library.
Is there a limit to how many items I can request?
Customers are limited to ten active requests. Items remain active until they are in cancelled or completed status on your account in the request system. Once returned to a branch, please allow 2-4 business days for the item to be returned and removed from your account. If you believe that an item is on your account in error, please contact your local library for assistance.
How will I know when my item is available?
You will be notified the same way you are notified when your holds for Pierce County Library items are available for pickup.
Why was my request cancelled?
Here are some common reasons why the request was cancelled. We are unable to provide detailed information on why every request was cancelled.
- We are unable to find a library willing to lend the item.
- The item did not meet Pierce County Library System selection criteria for purchase.
- We did not have enough information to find the item.
- Pierce County Library already owns the item in the format requested.
Worldcat.org said there were many copies available in other libraries but my request was canceled. Why?
Copies available do not mean the copies will be loaned; Libraries can say no to lending out an item for a variety of reasons. Libraries do not have to specify a reason why they didn’t lend the item. Most common reasons are the item was missing or already checked out, the library charges for lending or the library may have a policy against lending that type of item.
What is the difference between OCLC WorldCat.org and WorldCat Discovery?
WorldCat.org is a free website anyone can use to search for items that libraries may own. It shows what libraries around the world have in their catalog and has links to where customers can borrow or buy items. It is an open resource and not as accurate as Worldcat Discovery.
WorldCat Discovery is a subscription-based service that Pierce County Library provides to our customers. It offers a more advanced search. It includes access to the library’s holdings via a connection to Pierce County Library’s online catalog, electronic resources and full-text content.
What do the statuses on my account in the request system mean?
Submitted/Pending: Pierce County Library is reviewing your request and finding the best way to obtain it. Customers can cancel requests in this status.
In-Transit: A lending library has shipped the item to Pierce County Library. Requests in this status cannot be cancelled online.
Received by Library: The request is at Pierce County Library. Please check your library account to see if it is available for pickup.
Recalled: The lending library has asked for the item to be returned. Please return the item as soon as possible. These items cannot be renewed.
Cancelled/cancelled by library: Pierce County Library could not obtain the item for purchase or interlibrary loan.
Unable to provide: Pierce County Library could not obtain the item for purchase or interlibrary loan.
Item requested for purchase: Pierce County Libraryhas the item on order,
Complete: The item has been returned to the lending library.
What are some tips and tricks for searching for the item I want?
- Title is the default search in our version of Worldcat Discovery.
- Use the filters on the left-hand side to filter to find a certain format, like Audiobook on CD or Large Print.
- Use quotation marks around a title to search for the full title all together. Example: “A Tale of Two Cities”
- Use AND, OR, NOT to improve search results. For example, Cats AND Kittens to search for everything with both words. Cats NOT Dogs to search for things with cats but not including dogs. Cats OR Kittens to search for everything that includes either cats or kittens.
Can I request a renewal of my ILL?
Yes! You may request a renewal through the My Request section of the Request system. Renewal decisions are made by the lending library. If you do not see a renewal option please contact your local library. The due date from the lending library may have passed, and Pierce County Library needs to contact them to request a renewal.
Can I cancel my request?
You may cancel a request in the My Request section of the Purchase/ILL Request system up until the point the item is in-transit from the lending library. Please contact your local library to ask if it is possible to cancel the request after this point.
Why don’t I see the request button on the item I’m looking at?
Items that the Library already owns or electronic items are not available to request.
Will I be charged for lost or damaged items?
Yes, the lending library will charge a replacement fee, which will be applied to your library account. Pierce County Library staff should not waive these replacement fees, as the Library must pay the lending institution for the amount charged.
How long will it take to get my request?
Requests can take up to several weeks to be fulfilled. Please check the My Request section of the Purchase/ILL system for the status of your request.
Are there fees for ILL?
Some libraries we borrow from charge lending fees, and we may ask you how much you’d be willing to pay in these cases to borrow the item. You can indicate how much, if anything, you are willing to pay on the request form. Lending libraries may also charge you for damaged or lost items.
What does the Library purchase?
All purchase decisions are governed by the Selection of Library Materials Policy. We consider purchase requests for books, DVDs, CDs (audiobooks and music), and e-books or downloadable audiobooks (available by using Notify Me in the Libby App).
The item I want to suggest for purchase isn’t in the search. Can I still request it?
Yes! Please email us with as much information as possible about the item.
Can I request e-books or e-audiobooks?
E-books and e-audiobooks can be requested through Notify Me in the Libby App.
Can I request the Library purchase print magazines?
We review purchase requests for print and electronic magazines annually. Requests may be made at any time, but new purchases for magazines are made once a year. We offer a wide variety of online magazines and newspapers available 24/7 through our digital collections.
Can I request something that will be published in the future?
We accept purchase requests three months in advance of the item’s publication date.
