Place Requests: Help

Yale faculty, students, staff, and authorized affiliates may place a variety of requests directly from Orbis. Patrons whose records are blocked for any reason will not be able to use the Request Menu. For information on charge limits, fine limits, and other possible block reasons, please contact the Privileges Office or a circulation desk.

To place a request, first search for a specific item. Once you have displayed a bibliographic record, click on the Place Requests button on the top of the screen. If you are not already logged in, you will be prompted to log in using either your Yale NetID and password or barcode on the back of your Library-issued ID Card (Visitor Card or Proxy Card) and your last name. When you are logged in, you will find brief instructions for different types of requests and a drop down menu with two options.

Follow the instructions and select the appropriate type of request to proceed. If you decide to use On Order Form, Purchase Request Form, or ILL/Borrow Direct, click on the link and follow the guidance on the corresponding screen.

Recall items checked out

Yale borrowers can place a recall for an item found in Orbis. Recalls can only be placed for items that are checked out, not for items available on the shelf. A recall will allow the current user to keep the book for two weeks from the date it was checked out or for one week from when the recall is placed. When the item is returned it will be placed on the Hold shelf for you at the Circulation Desk of your choice and you will be notified. The item will be returned to the stacks if not picked up after 14 days. All materials are subject to recall after 2 weeks. Periodicals are subject to recall without any waiting period.

After you have selected the Recall option from the drop down Request Menu:

1. If you want to place a recall on any copy of the item at any location, click the Any Copy button. If you want to place a recall on a specific copy, select the copy of the item from the drop down menu.
2. If you log in with Library-issued Visitor Card or Proxy Card, enter the barcode on the back of your card (skip this step if you log in with Yale NetID).
3. Select the location where you want to pick up the item from the Pick Up At drop down menu.
4. Enter the number of days after which you will not need the recall in the "Not Needed After" text box. Do not leave the number of days blank or your recall may be cancelled by the system.
5. Click the Submit Request button to submit your request. Otherwise, click the Clear Form button to clear all of the fields.
6. Be sure to hit Log Out to clear the session or click on the New Search button to resume searching.

Request staff search or delivery

By choosing this option, patrons will be able to:

• choose a pickup or use point for the book they are requesting (valid pickup locations are denoted by an asterisk);
• place a request for an item at the Library Shelving Facility (LSF);
• request an item be paged (retrieved from the stacks and brought to the circulation desk for you) at libraries where this service is offered;
• request staff to search an item missing in the stacks;
• submit comments about the request.

After you have selected the Request staff search or delivery option from the drop down Request Menu:

1. Select the library at which you would like to pick up or use the item you are requesting. (Valid pickup locations are denoted by an asterisk).
2. If you log in with Library-issued Visitor Card or Proxy Card, enter the barcode on the back of your card (skip this step if you log in with Yale NetID).
3. Specify a particular copy if more than one is available.
4. Include any comments about the request in the Comments box.
5. Enter the number of days after which you will not need the recall in the Not Needed After text box. Do not leave the number of days blank or your recall may be cancelled by the system.
6. Click the Submit Request button. Otherwise, click the Clear Form button to clear all of the fields.
7. Be sure to hit Log Out to clear the session or click on the New Search button to resume searching. For both types of requests, you will receive an e-mail notification or a notice through the mail informing you when your item is available for pick up. You can also look at Your Library Account to check on the status of your request.

For both types of requests, you will receive an e-mail notification or a notice through the mail informing you when your item is available for pick up. You can also look at Your Library Account to check on the status of your request.