Request or Renew Items

As a member of the Albany Public Library, you can:

  • Request that items from any library in the Upper Hudson Library System be delivered to your home library
  • Place a hold on materials that are currently checked out or unavailable
  • Renew materials that you’d like to keep for longer than your initial checkout allows (some exceptions may apply)
  • Create lists of library materials you want to remember
  • Sign up to get text alerts and be notified when your materials are available!

You can stop by any service desk at our neighborhood branches to place requests or renew items in person, or you can use the online catalog in our locations or at home. Here’s how:

Request Library Materials

Once you have located an item from any library in the Upper Hudson Library System that you would like to have delivered to your home library, or an item that is currently checked out or unavailable, you can place a request.

  • To the right of the title, click the “Request It” button
  • If you are not logged in, enter your library card barcode number and PIN
  • If prompted, select the specific item
  • Select the library location for delivery
  • If you wish, enter a “not needed after” date
  • Click “Submit”

Looking for a number of items by a specific author on a specific topic? You can also use the “My Cart” feature to add several items to your cart and request them all at once.

  • Add several items from your searches to “My Cart” by clicking the shopping basket icon under “Additional Actions” to the right of the item title
  • When you have finished searching, click “My Cart” at the top of the page (or “View cart” to the right of an added item)
  • Check the boxes next to the items you wish to request and click “Request it”
  • You can also click other options including “Remove from cart” or “Email” title

Create Lists of Items to Save for Later

Do you have a hobby and want to keep a list of books the library owns on the subject? Or did you read about a new work of fiction but just don’t have time to read it now? The My List feature lets you keep lists of your favorite library items.

  • To create a list, add the items to your cart first (see above)
  • Click “My Cart” at the top of the page (or “View cart” to the right of an added item)
  • Check the boxes next to the items you wish to add
  • New lists: Click “Save to a new list,” give your list a name and description, and click “Create”
  • Existing lists: Choose the list from the dropdown menu and click “Add”
  • To delete items from a list, check the boxes to the left of the items you wish to remove and click “Remove marked”
  • View all your lists in your account information page

Renew Library Materials

To renew library items online:

  • Log into and view your account (see Access Your Account)
  • Click on “Checkouts”
  • Click the checkbox under “Renew” for each item you wish to renew and click “Renew marked,” or click “Renew all” to renew all your items at once