SuperSearch FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about SuperSearch
1. What is SuperSearch?
SuperSearch is a service provided by your library that allows you to borrow books and media from other North Bay library systems. You can use the SuperSearch link on the Sonoma County Library web page to search for titles in those systems.
2. How long does it take for a Supersearch to get to me?
The average time is 2 to 4 weeks. During that time the request will be in the “pending” status. If the item is popular (for example, a recently published book or a media item) the owning library fills their patrons’ hold before it becomes available to us through SuperSearch. We cannot determine how long the waiting list is for a particular item. Changing the ‘need by’ date to a few days will not expedite your request. We recommend you change you “need by” date to several months out so your request won’t expire before it has a chance to be filled.
3. How many requests can I have at once?
You can have 3 active requests at once. Active requests are in “pending” or “shipped” status on the SuperSearch screen.
4. My request is about to expire; can I change the “need by” date?
Once the request has been made you cannot change the “need by” date. You can cancel your request and then request the item again and set the “need by” date up to 11 months out.
5. My request has been in the pending status for several months new and the item seems to be checked in. What can I do?
You can contact your branch librarian and ask them to look into the problem or you can e-mail us through our Ask a Librarian service. Please allow us 3 days to get back to you.
6. Can I renew a SuperSearch item?
No. The loan period for a DVD or VHS is 7 days. The loan period for a monograph, book on cassette, book on compact disc, or single compact disc is 28 days.
7. I just returned my SuperSearch item a few days ago but I still cannot request another item; why?
If you have three requests in active status(pending” or “shipped”) SuperSearch won’t allow you to make another request. Please allow 7 days for the SuperSearch item to be returned to the owning library. Once the item is in the “returned” status you can request another Supersearch item.
8. How will I be notified that my SuperSearch item is in?
You will be notified the same way as your Sonoma County Library holds. This is either by phone, email or postal mail. If you would like to change the way you are notified please contact the circulation desk at any branch.
9. What do pending, shipped, received, returned and unfilled mean?
Pending: The request has been submitted and is waiting to be shipped by a SuperSearch library.
Shipped: The item has been shipped to Sonoma County Library but hasn’t arrived yet. Please allow 1 week for Sonoma County to receive the item.
Received: The item has arrived at Sonoma County Library and has been processed. You should see this item in your Horizon account. It stays in this status during the period that the item is checked out to you.
Returned: The item is going back to the owning library.
Unfilled: This item is unavailable for check out because of a problem at the owning library. An item in “unfilled” status does not use up one of your three requests. The notice of an unfilled item may show on your account for up to six months. If the unfilled item is a monograph (book) you can make an Interlibrary Loan request at the reference desk at your local library. Interlibrary Loan requests take 4 to 6 weeks. If the unfilled item is a DVD, VHS, book on cassette, book on compact disc or a compact disc we are unable to make this item available to you through Interlibrary Loan.