Catalog: Resource Sharing With Other Somerset Libraries

resource sharing logo

Can’t find a book, audiobook, video or other item at the Biesecker Library? The SPARK catalog’s Resource Sharing feature allows you to order books from other libraries in both the Somerset County Library System and the Cambria County Library System and pick them up at the Biesecker Library.

First, before searching for a book, use the Library drop down menu. Under Library Groups, select Cambria-MSB-Somerset.

screenshot of online catalog showing how to select a library group

Enter your search terms in the Search bar. If a result is available at the Biesecker Library, it will indicate “1 of 1 available at the Mary S. Biesecker Public Library” below the title of the book. If a book is available at either a Somerset County or Cambria County System Library, but not the Biesecker Library, the section below the book’s title will be blank.

screenshot of online catalog showing how to search for books

By clicking into the title, you can discover which library has the book under Location (red), and click Place Hold (blue) to place a hold.

screenshot of online catalog showing how to place hold on a book from another library

On the Place Hold page, your account information will be automatically entered. The Pickup Location defaults to the Mary S. Biesecker Public Library. You can select how you wish to be notified (email, phone or text message) when the book arrives.

screenshot from online catalog showing how to submit a hold on a book from another library

Once you click Submit, the request will be sent to the library holding the book. The librarian will process your request and send it to the Biesecker Library, where we will place the book on hold at the front desk like any other interlibrary request. You will be notified by your preferred method once your book is ready for pick up.