Q. How do I reserve, or place a hold, on a library item?

You may reserve, or place a hold, for yourself online, or you may ask library staff to reserve an item for you in person, on the phone (941-861-1110) or through Ask Us! (chat, text or email). You may place up to 20 items on hold at a time.

To place a hold yourself online, you will need your 14-digit library card number and PIN. If you would like to reserve e-books, please see this FAQ.

How to Place a Hold on a Library Item (Enhanced Catalog)

1. Go to the library catalog.
2. If your screen darkens: Look to the bottom of the page for a white bar notifying about site cookies. Click the X to close the bar and continue.
   
3. In the upper right corner, log in with your library card number and your PIN. 
   
4. In the Search bar (next to the orange square with the magnify glass), type in the item you would like to reserve. 
   
5. You can customize and search by Author, Concept, Series, or Title by clicking on All at the end of the search bar. 
6. After searching for the item, click on the format (Book, Large Print, Audiobook [if offered in that format]) you would prefer. In the visual below, we will be placing a hold for the book. To complete the request, click on Place Hold. Currently, there are 27 hold requests and 44 copies of this title in the catalog. 
   
7. After selecting Place Hold, you will be prompted to select a Pickup location. Confirm your pickup location and the request will successfully go through. 
   

How to Place a Hold on a Library Item (Basic Catalog)

1. Log in to the Basic library catalog. 
2. In the Search bar, type in the item you would like to reserve. 
   
3. Click Place Request in the menu for the item you would like to reserve.
   
4. Confirm the information displayed, select a pickup branch and the activation date (optional, if you would like to delay when the hold is fulfilled). Then click Submit Request.
   

How to Place a Hold through the Sarasota County Libraries Mobile App

1. Open the app by clicking on the "Find Yourself at the Library" icon.
   
2. Select Search Catalog.
   
3. Search for the item you would like to reserve and select Place a Hold.
   
4. After selecting Place a Hold, you will be prompted to Select Pickup Location followed by selecting Request Item to confirm the request.