Make the most out of your Anythink requests with these tips
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You’ve seen the notice: “Boy, do Anythinkers know what they want! Requests are now limited to 60 per customer, per year.” You may wonder why there is a limit on how many items a customer can suggest the library purchase. The answer is simple: volume. Our customers are eager to read, listen, watch and explore a wide variety of titles. So that we can best serve everyone, we place a limit of 60 suggestions per person, per year. This allows us to accommodate more individuals and make sure our collections are robust and comprehensive.
How can you make the most of your 60 requests? Here are some helpful suggestions from Anythink's Collection Development department:
- Check the catalog first! If there are circulating copies (not lost, traced or missing), place your hold through the catalog. As opposed to placing a hold in "My Requests," holds placed through the catalog don't count toward your yearly 60 requests. If you place a hold in the catalog, there's no need to submit the request in "My Requests." We'll have you covered! If the title you're looking for is marked as lost, traced or missing, please talk to a staff member or email requests@anythinklibraries.org with the concern.
- Request a title just once. There's no need to duplicate your requests, and please only sumbit one title per suggestion.
- We order most print material 4-6 months in advance of publication date so be sure to wait that time frame to request. For media, check online to make sure the format exists and is within the 4-6 month window.
- Be sure to give as much information as you can when you request a title. This ensures that we get the correct title in the correct format the first time around. If you happen to find the exact title through the "find exact match" button, simply update your current request with the appropriate link. This will keep you from having to fill out an additional request.
- Before you place another request through “My Requests,” check to see if you are on hold for the item. We may be working on your request, so if you don’t see the material on hold for you, wait a few days before re-requesting. You can always ask about the status of your requests by sending an email to requests@anythinklibraries.org.
- If you are looking for a difficult-to-find item, and we are unable to fill the request, it's unlikely that we'll be able to get it in the future. You're welcome to submit future requests for the title, but it will count as a new request each time.
- If you are asked for more information please respond to requests@anythinklibraries.org rather than submitting a new request. If you tell us the title in your response, it will help us process the existing request without you needing to re request.
Need more information on the status of your request? Simply follow these steps:
- Login to your Anythink account
- Click on "Requests"
- Select the "Show all requests" button and click "Update"
- All requests made during the year will appear.
- You'll be able to see each request's current status or read any comments from Anythink staff by clicking on "details."