Searching the Collection

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Go back to Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get help to search the Collection?

For help on any page, click the Help button on the left of your screen. Review the Lists of Other Help Topics for additional help.

How do I request materials available at branches other than my local branch?

You can:

  • place a hold on an item that is available at another branch and have it delivered to the branch that is most convenient to you, or
  • ask Information staff at your library to reserve the item for you, or
  • have Information staff ask the other branch to hold the material for you (you still may have to place a hold on the item).

How do I suggest that PGCMLS buy something which is not currently owned?

Use the Recommend A Purchase form found on the Contact Us page.

Please check the Library’s catalog before you suggest that we purchase an item.

It is not necessary to suggest bestselling titles or authors.

For specialized, technical, or out of print titles, consider using Interlibrary Loan, a cooperative borrowing agreement among libraries.

If you need help using this service then please contact your local branch.

Due to high volume, we are unable to respond individually to each suggestion. Items selected for purchase usually appear in the catalog within four weeks.

If PGCMLS does not have an item I need, what do I do next?

MARINA is a free, statewide interlibrary loan system for requesting items your library does not own; MARINA allows you to request and borrow materials from cooperating libraries throughout Maryland.

Materials from out-of-state libraries may be available for a fee via Inter-Library Loan (ILL). Please see your branch staff about arranging to borrow these materials.