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Montgomery County Maryland
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Requesting Library Materials

Here's what you need to do:

Search MCPL's catalog.

If the item you want is listed in the catalog:

If you can wait 3-5 days:

  • Place a hold online (You will need a valid MCPL library card and PIN)
  • Ask Library staff to do so

If you cannot wait 3-5 days:

What does the message “privilege expired” mean when placing a hold?

If your library card has expired, the message “privilege expired” will appear when placing a hold on a title in the catalog. You will be unable to place the hold until the information on your library card record is updated. Currently, the only way we have for you to update your library card is if you do it IN PERSON at one of our library branches.

Library cards are issued for three years. We ask customers to update the address, phone, and email information for their library card record every three years so that we have the most current contact information for the notices and newsletters we send and so we can run programs to remove library cards that are no longer used.


If you are looking for a magazine article, first search MCPL's catalog and the magazine and newspaper articles databases available through the Online Resources section of our website.

The magazine and newspaper articles databases include complete articles from many sources. You can search for a publication title, a specific article, or by keyword.

If MCPL does not own the item you want, try placing Interlibrary Loan request or suggesting it for purchase.

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Last edited: 10/1/2007