Suggestion for Purchase FAQ


The Library welcomes your suggestions regarding items that you would like to see included in the Fresno County Public Library’s collection.

Before submitting a purchase suggestion, please check the online catalog to make sure that the Library does not already own the item. The Library will not purchase an item if it can be loaned through another library in the catalog.

Please read the following information before requesting an item for purchase.

Who can suggest titles for purchase?

All Fresno County Public Library cardholders may submit purchase suggestions.

What items can be purchased?

  • Books
  • Music CDs
  • Books on CD
  • DVDs and Blu-rays
  • Video games for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch
  • Recommend eBooks and eAudiobooks directly in Libby. Instructions are available here.

All suggestions for purchase are subject to the same selection criteria as other materials and are not automatically added to the collection. It is the Library's intent that suggestions for purchase be used to help the Library in developing collections which serve the interests and needs of the community.

What won't be purchased?

  • Items the Library already owns, even if they are non-circulating or have holds.
  • Out of print or used items
  • Textbooks
  • Video games for consoles other than PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch
  • Items the Library is unable to locate

Are there any fees?

There are no fees to suggest an item for purchase.

Will a hold request be placed?

Yes, if you indicate as such on the form. A request can be placed for most print and media if it is added to our collection. There is a limit of 30 hold requests. 

How can I check the status of a suggestion?

If you checked the box to have a hold request placed for the item, it will appear in your account once the item has been purchased.

You can check the online catalog any time to see if titles have been ordered.

If an item is purchased, it will be added to the catalog when it is ordered. This may take a varying amount of time.

When submitting a recommendation for purchase in Libby (recommendation process), you will automatically be notified if the eBook or eAudiobook is purchased.

How can I borrow a title the Library doesn't own?

If an item is not listed in our online catalog, we may be able to borrow the material from another library in the United States through our Interlibrary Loan service.


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Rev. 1-2023