Renewals and Recalls
Renewing books and placing "holds" (i.e. requesting that books currently on loan to other borrowers be recalled and held for you when they return) are automated, self-service operations.
Renewals
- To renew a book, first click on the "View Your Record/Renew Items" button in the main search page of the Four College Catalog.
- Type in your name and bar code number (the 15-digit((!)) number beneath the bar code on the front of your borrower's card) and click on the "Display record..." button.
- Click on "...Items currently checked out".
- Check off titles you wish to renew, then click "Renew selected items". The new due date will appear in the "STATUS" column.
Recalls
- If a book you want is signed out to another borrower, you may request that it be "recalled" and held for you. The current borrower is entitled to keep the book for at least two weeks from the sign-out date, and is permitted one week from the date of recall to return it.
- To recall a book, call up its record in the Four College Catalog, then click on the "Request Item" button above or below.
- Type in your name and bar code number, and click on "Submit above information".
- Click on "REQUEST SELECTED ITEM".
- When you have finished, the screen will read "Your request has been sent...".
- If you want to check the progress of your recall request or change your mind and want to cancel it, click on the "View Your Record" button in the Four College Catalog's main search page, input your name and bar code, select "Requests (holds) outstanding", then note the status or chacel the item.
- Please note that art books cannot be recalled using the online catalog (inquire at the Circulation Desk), and that books signed out to Amherst faculty members cannot be recalled by non-Amherst College borrowers.
- Books which have been recalled will be held at the Circulation Desk of the Frost Library for up to 10 days.
- If the book you want is signed out at Amherst but listed as available at one of the other local libraries, it may be faster to have the book sent here via the Five College Delivery service.
Send comments to Margaret Adams Groesbeck (magroesbeck)

