Library Info
See Also
 

Library card imageI need a library card.
- How do I get a card if I live in Chandler?
- May I get a card if I don't live in Chandler?
- I've lost my card.
- I think my card expired.

I want to request a book / place a hold.
- How do I place a hold? 
- How do I place multiple holds online?

- When do I pick up my hold?
- Why didn't my request work?
- How do I get a book from another library within the Chandler system (transferring items) or from another library system entirely (Interlibrary Loan)?
-What if I can't wait for an Interlibrary Loan?

I want to renew my books (or other items).
- How do I renew materials?
- What can be renewed, and for how long?
- What if I can't renew it?

I want to find a book (or other items).
- How do I find books, DVDs, audiobooks, CDs?
- How do I find magazines, newspapers, articles?
- How do I get it once I find it?
- What if I can't find what I need in the catalog?
-How do I suggest a purchase?

I want to view my account (due dates, holds, fines).
- How do I access my account online?
- How do I pay fines?
- How do I change my account information?
-How do I make sure I receive emails from the library?

-What are your circulation policies? (Membership eligibility, checkout periods, item limits fines, etc.)

 Other info:  

Have a question not listed here? Call us or use our Ask a Question email reference service.

 
I want to request a book / place a hold.

How do I place a hold?

You can place a hold on any item that is checked out, using your library card number and 4-digit PIN number.  If you do not know your PIN, call 480-782-2803.  You may have up to five holds at any one time.

  1. Find the book you want and click the "Details" button.
  2. Click "Place Hold". Find it to the left side of the screen.
  3. For "User ID", enter your library card number (no spaces). Enter your 4-digit PIN, and choose the branch where you wish to pick up the book. Then click "Place Hold". Look for your confirmation that the hold was placed.


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How do I place multiple holds?

You do not need to type in your account number and PIN more than once. Enter User ID and PIN in the boxes at the top of the first catalog screen. Then you will not need to log in again during your session - it will remember who you are and only ask for a pick-up location.  You may have up to five holds at any one time.  
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When do I pick up my hold?

If all copies are checked out, or if you’ve asked an item to be transferred between branches, you will be contacted when the hold is available for you at the phone number and/or email address that we have in our records. You will then have 5 days to pick up the material.

If the item is available and you want to come in to get it, please call us first.  We process a very high number of holds and yours may not be ready yet when you get here.  If you call us we’ll pull it right away.  See our contacts page for phone numbers.

PLEASE NOTE: there is a charge if you do not pick up a hold. If you cannot pick up the material, you must call to cancel the hold if you wish to avoid the fine.
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Why didn't my request work?

There are several reasons why requests may not work.

  1. If you receive the message "User not found" or "Please enter your correct PIN", then the numbers you are entering do not match our records. Make sure you are using a current library card number, and enter all 14 digits with NO spaces. If you need to confirm your PIN number, call 480-782-2803.
  2. If you receive the message "Privilege has expired" or "User Blocked", your record needs to be updated or you have fines that must be paid. You will need to come in to the library to resolve these issues.  "
  3. There is a limit of five holds at any one time.  "User has too many holds" is the message you will will receive if you try to place more than five holds.
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How do I get a book from another library within the Chandler system (transferring items) or from another library sytem entirely (Interlibrary Loan)?

If the book or item you want is at one of the Chandler libraries, you can place a hold on it. See How do I place a hold?

If the item you want is not at any Chandler Library, we can request an Interlibrary Loan for you. We will locate libraries that own the item and ask if one of them can send it to your Chandler Library branch. For Interlibrary loan requests, there may be restrictions or possible charges, and the average wait time is 2-4 weeks. We reserve the right to purchase the book for the library instead of requesting it through Interlibrary Loan.  Call the Reference Desk (480-782-2803) for more information.

What if I can't wait for an Interlibrary Loan?  Try WorldCat's free version to see if any libraries in the area have the item.  To use other area libraries, you will have to get a card with them. Most public libraries will allow any Maricopa County resident to get a card. University and college libraries are usually restricted to students, but may allow community users to get a card for a fee.  See our Library Catalogs page for links to area libraries' websites.
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I want to renew my books (or other items).

How do I renew materials?

Most materials can be renewed using these instructions.
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What can be renewed, and for how long?

Most materials can be renewed twice, for an additional three weeks, unless there is a hold on the material. For specific renewal information, see our Policies page.
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What if I can't renew it?

Some items cannot be renewed, such as feature film videos and any item that has been requested by another patron. If your item cannot be renewed, your options are to return it or keep it and pay the fines. If you return the item, you must allow time for it to return to the shelf before checking it out again, or if there is a waiting list, you can be added to the end of the list. If you choose to keep the item, there are late fees. For more information, call the Circulation Department at 480-782-2800.
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I want to find a book (or other items).

How do I find books, DVDs, Audiobooks, CDs?

You can find items at all three Chandler libraries by using our catalog. Go to our homepage, chandlerlibrary.org and click the "Catalog" button in the upper left corner. You can then search by author, title, subject, or other keywords. To combine terms or to look for a particular item type (DVD, Books on CD, etc.), use the Power Search.
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How do I find magazines, newspapers, articles?

The Chandler libraries subscribe to various print newspapers and magazines, and we keep select archives. (Archive span varies depending on the publication.) Magazines and newspapers can be used in the library or photocopied; some magazines may be checked out. Call 480-782-2803 to find out which titles are available, or check our online list of holdings

We also subscribe to a number of online databases, which you can use to search for articles by subject. These include Masterfile Premier and Ebsco Newspaper Source; find them on our databases page. Some of these databases can be accessed from home, using your library card and PIN numbers. Call 480-782-2803 if you have questions or problems accessing these databases.
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How do I get it once I find it?

You can place a hold on any item that is checked out. More info 

If the item is on the shelf at one of the branches, you should call that branch and ask them to pull the item for you. You can also ask them to send it to another branch for you to pick up.
Downtown 480-782-2803
Hamilton 480-782-2828
Sunset 480-782-2842
Basha 480-782-2850
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What if I can't find what I need in the catalog?

If you have a question about the catalog, or about any of the library's resources, feel free to ask a librarian - that's what we're here for! You can come to the reference desk at any branch or call us:
Downtown 480-782-2803
Hamilton 480-782-2828
Sunset 480-782-2842
Basha 480-782-2850

If you are not in the library, you can use our Ask a Question service. Your question will be emailed to us and we will reply as soon as possible, usually within a few hours (except on Sundays or when the library is closed). When you ask your question, please be as specific as possible, so that we are better able to give you the information you need.
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How do I suggest a purchase?

The best way to suggest a purchase is to log in to your account on the first screen of the Library Catalog (User ID is your library card--no spaces; PIN is the 4-digit number you gave us when you were issued your card).  Click the "Suggest a Purchase" link in the top blue portion of the screen.  You will need to enter as much information in the fields as you can about the item you would like to request.  After you click "Send," you should receive a confirmation page that says "Your request has been placed."  This will automatically place you on hold for the item, if library staff decide to purchase it.  If not, you will be notified, and if the item qualifies, you may place an Interlibrary Loan for it.  Please note that either process usually takes several weeks.    

Another way to place a request is to use our Ask a Question service. Your request will be emailed to us and we will reply as soon as possible, usually within a few hours (except on Sundays or when the library is closed).  Again, please note that this process usually takes several weeks.      
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I want to view my account (due dates, holds, fines).

How do I access my account online?

You can access your account through our website using your library card and PIN numbers. You can view the items you have checked out and their due dates, as well as any holds or fines you may have. To get to the "My Account" page, simply click the "My Account" button on the left-side of our home page.  If you need your PIN, or if you have trouble accessing your account, call 480-782-2803.
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How do I pay fines?

At this time, we are unable to accept payment for fines online. To pay your fines, come in to the checkout/Circulation desk at any branch. We accept cash, check, Visa or Mastercard for payment of fines.
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How do I change my account information?

At this time, our computer system does not allow changes to your account information through our website. You will have to speak to a staff member to change your name, address, phone, or email. Call or come in to any branch.
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08/06/2008