How to Find Items FAQs

  • General Questions

    For tips on how to search the catalog, please see the Catalog Help section on Searching & Filtering.

    For information on requesting items in the catalog, please see the Catalog Help section about placing holds, under Borrowing > On Hold.

    You can also ask a staff member. We are happy to help!

    If you're having trouble using the online catalog, you can take a look at the Catalog Help section on Searching & Filtering or ask a staff member for help.

    If what you're looking for is not in our catalog, there are a few other things you can try:

    For digital items like eBooks:

    For physical items like books and DVDs:

    Link+ is a group of more than 60 libraries across California and Nevada that you can borrow items from for free, using Marin County library card. If an item is not available from Marin County libraries, it may be possible to borrow it from one of our Link+ partners.

    To request an item through Link+ follow these steps:

    1. Search our catalog first to make sure we don’t own the item that you wish to borrow.*
    2. Click on the Link+ button to search in the Link+ catalog, opens a new window.
    3. When you locate the item, click on the title.
    4. Click on the “LINK+ libraries have this item” link to see if the item is Available.
    5. Click on the blue “REQUEST THIS ITEM” link.
    6. Click on the down arrow and select the library that is your MARINet home library. (What is my home library?, opens a new window)
    7. Click “Submit".
    8. If the item can be borrowed from LinkPlus, you will be asked to enter your name, your 14-digit library card number and your PIN. You must also select a pickup location, which can be any MARINet Library. (It does not need to be your home library.)

    *Note: If the item is available in our catalog, you will receive the message, "You cannot use LINK+ to request items that are available...".

    If an item cannot be located through a library in Marin County or Link+, opens a new window, you can place an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) request for the item by calling or visiting your local branch library. We will search academic and public libraries in the United States for the requested item using WorldCat, opens a new window.

    There is a nonrefundable $5.00 charge to initiate the search for books, microfilm, DVDs or audio books. This fee does not guarantee the receipt of the material. Occasionally, a lender may require additional fees for postage or copying charges before they will loan an item; you will be contacted if any additional charges are necessary. The ILL process can take from 4 to 6 weeks.

    For information on requesting items from within Marin County, please see the Catalog Help section about placing holds, under Borrowing > On Hold.

    We welcome your purchase suggestions! Each request is carefully considered.

    We process all suggestions for purchase through our online catalog. Please log in and use “Suggest a Purchase” in the left menu of your Library Dashboard. You will be able to track your suggestions to see if they are purchased.

    Before suggesting a purchase, you can also try searching Link+ and our digital collections: eBooks & Audiobooks, Streaming Movies & TV, and Streaming Music. 

    Yes! You can reach us using our online contact form. We will reply as quickly as we can.

    You can also reach us by phone to your local branch during open hours.