How do I place a hold on a Library item?

Answer

Students, staff, and faculty living in the U.S. may make HOLD requests on books available in the CIIS Library Collection.

Alternatively, all students, staff, and faculty may request a scan of up to one chapter per book from our library collection and from books owned by other libraries. Instructions for how to request a scan.

You can place holds while searching the Library Catalog and by going directly into your Library Account and creating a request.

How to Place a Hold

Search the Library Catalog.

1. From the results list, click on the title of the item you would like to place a hold on.

2. Once the book's record is open, look for the box Access Options and click Place Hold.

3. You will be prompted to log in with your CIIS Email and the password.

4. Once logged in, review the form, fill out any additional information, and click Submit.

(Optional) In the Item description(s)/Notes:, users can provide additional information about the requested item or any specific instructions related to filling the request with a descriptive note of up to 500 characters.

5. After submitting a hold request, users are taken to a Place Hold Confirmation Page.

After placing a hold:

You will receive a notification to your CIIS email address when the item is ready. You can also check your library account to see if a hold is ready - click on the tab for "Requests" to review the status of your items.

If you place a hold on a checked-out item, you will be placed in a queue and will be notified when the item becomes available.
Need to cancel? You can do so in the "Requests" tab in your library account.

LOCAL STUDENTS: Once you receive your notification that the hold is ready for pick-up, you may come to the CIIS Library Circulation Desk during Library open hours. Please check the Library website for the most up-to-date hours.

IF THE LIBRARY FACILITY IS CLOSED, but the Library is offering Lobby Pick-ups, please call 415-575-6180 OR let the staff person at the Lobby desk know that you are here to pick up books and to please call the Library.
Item(s) can be returned in the lobby drop box during the CIIS Mission Building open hours. You can also return your library items by mail.

DISTANCE STUDENTS: If you are a distance student (who lives outside the Bay Area*, but in the U.S.) and place a hold on an item, we will mail it to you after we have confirmation of your shipping address. You will pay return postage to return the book back to the Library.

When a hold becomes available you will receive a message in your CIIS email account asking you to confirm your mailing address. You will need to respond to this email before the item will be sent to you.
*The Bay Area includes Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara.