FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- How do I renew items I have borrowed, check due dates, place holds, view fees, rate an item, suggest an item for purchase, or change my account information, etcetera?
- What do I do if I see the message "there is a problem with your account" or "your card is expired"?
- Does FVRL accept donations of books, DVDs, CDs, and other library materials?
- Where could I find information about materials that FVRL purchases or plans to purchase?
- Does FVRL have a mobile website or an app?
- Why haven't I been getting FVRL courtesy email alerts for my books that are due or my holds that are in?
- Can a friend or family member pick up my holds for me?
- Is there a way for me to track my borrowing history?
- Is there a way for me to be automatically notified via email if a particular type of material that I am looking for is added to the catalogue?
QUESTIONS
The FAQ doesn't answer your question? Send us an email using the form below, or request an appointment through our Book a Librarian service.
Confidentiality
Fraser Valley Regional Library observes a strict confidentiality policy. Your question will always remain confidential.
How do I renew items I have borrowed, check due dates, place holds, view fees, rate an item, suggest an item for purchase, or change my account information, etcetera?
Log in to your library account, also available via the My FVRL tab, to complete any of these actions. For further help please search the BiblioCommons Catalogue Help. (Please note that the system undergoes maintenance between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. and some account functions may be unavailable during this time.)
What do I do if I see the message "there is a problem with your account" or "your card is expired"?
If you see the message that "there is a problem with your account," or that "your card is expired," your library account must be updated. FVRL cards expire every 2 years; this allows us to ensure that your account information is current. For fastest service, please phone or visit your library to update your account.
Does FVRL accept donations of books, DVDs, CDs, and other library materials?
FVRL may accept book donations, depending on space and capacity at our libraries. Accepted donations may be sold in a library’s book sale, with proceeds going to support the library. Please contact your local library to ask about what they may accept.
Where could I find information about materials that FVRL purchases or plans to purchase?
Please see our Board Policies – Materials Selection Policy.
Does FVRL have a mobile website or an app?
FVRL does not currently have an app. FVRL’s online catalogue pages resize automatically to fit your screen, and you can find the “Classic” mobile catalogue at http://m.fvrl.bc.ca/.
Why haven't I been getting FVRL courtesy email alerts for my books that are due or my holds that are in?
The problem is outside of the FVRL network and likely the result of your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and/or email provider is accidently blocking FVRL emails as junk mail/spam. Please add circadm@fvrlhp.fvrl.bc.ca to your list of safe senders. Please note that automated email reminder notices are a courtesy to FVRL customers and it remains the borrower's responsibility to be aware of when their items are due and returning or renewing them on time.
You can also manage your FVRL account with Library Elf. Get consolidated lists of your family's library loans and holds. Visit www.libraryelf.com and use your FVRL card to set up an account.
Can a friend or family member pick up my holds for me?
Yes, another person may pick up holds for you, but only if they have your authorization. Just tell us who’s allowed to pick up holds on your behalf (even if you don’t live at the same address), and we’ll put a note on your account. You can tell us in person, by phone or by email. Or if you prefer, fill out this Holds Pickup Letter of Authorization form to authorize up to four people on your behalf. You can return the completed form to any FVRL location.
Is there a way for me to track my borrowing history?
You may track your borrowing history in the BiblioCommons Catalogue by enabling the optional Recently Returned feature. Once enabled, the system will start saving a list of materials you borrow beginning with any titles you check out after you opt in. The content on your Recently Returned page is visible only to you. If the Recently Returned feature is not enabled, no records will be stored.
Is there a way for me to be automatically notified via email if a particular type of material that I am looking for is added to the catalogue?
Use MySearch Alerts to get an email if a title is added to the FVRL collection:
- Log in to the Classic Catalogue
- Do a search by keyword, subject, author, or title
- click “Save as MySearch,” then “Return to my Record.”
- select the “Mark for email notification” and
- Click “Cancel/Update Selected.” You will receive an email when new items matching your search are added to the FVRL collection. Email alerts are sent weekly (but only when your search has a match).
