Did you know that as a patron of the Orem Public Library you can suggest the library purchase an item you would like to see in the library collection? Patron suggestions are a great resource for the library because they help us add items to the collection that we know you’ll love. Help us celebrate National Library Week by submitting a purchase suggestion and watch the Orem Library collection continue to grow!
How to Request an Item for Purchase
When you go to the library’s website, click on the tab at the top of the page that says “Using the Library” and then select “Request for Purchase” (or you can just click here!).
Complete the form with all of the requested information. You will need to know the title, author/director, ISBN (if possible), your library card number, and your email address. Please make sure you tell us why you would like us to consider this title and whether or not you would like it placed on hold for you if we purchase it for the library.
Once you click on the submit button, we will be notified of your request and it will be sent to the appropriate librarian tasked with purchasing for that specific collection. You will be notified of our decision by email.
Important Things to Remember
- Be sure to check our catalog before making a request. Even if it is a new item, there is a good chance we have already ordered it. If that is the case, you can place yourself on hold for the item.
- Submit one request for each title you would like us to consider.
- Ideally, we would like to develop a collection that has everything you are looking for. When choosing what to add to our collection, we consider several things: cost, format, accessibility/availability, professional publications versus self-publications, reviews (professional and reader), quality (artistic as well as physical), long-term interest, and more. Unfortunately, this means that we do not acquire some titles requested for purchase.
- The purpose of the “Request for Purchase” form is to give library patrons the opportunity to suggest titles to be considered for purchase and added to the Orem Public Library collection. This includes physical books, DVDs, music CDs, and audiobooks. If you are interested in an e-book or e-audiobook title and you use our OverDrive app, you are welcome to submit a request as outlined by Utah’s Beehive Library Consortium below: The Beehive Library Consortium is a group of public libraries in the state organized to make a greater number of e-books and e-audiobooks available to their patrons. Due to budget constraints, a title is not generally purchased unless there are multiple patron requests. The easiest way to add your vote to have this title added to the consortium collection is by submitting a “Recommendation” request on your OverDrive app. Click here for instructions.
That’s it! We hope you take advantage of this opportunity and help us make the Orem Public Library collection the best in the state. Happy National Library Week!
Written by Tammy Starr, Associate Librarian
