Didn’t find what you were looking for in the Library’s catalog? Try Link+! Link+ is a resource sharing network of over 60 public and academic libraries whose library collections are now available to you!
What is Link+?
Link+ is a free service you can use to borrow materials that the Solano Partner Libraries & St. Helena (SPLASH) consortium does not have available. Link+ is a cooperative resource sharing effort between over 60 California libraries, both public and academic. You can use your Solano County Library card to place a hold in the Link+ catalog on a title owned by any member library that you can then pick up at your local library.
How do I use Link+?
To access the Link+ catalog, click on the Link+ catalog link on Catalog page of the Solano County Library website or click on the “Search Link+” tab in the upper left corner of the Library’s catalog.
- Locate your item in the Link+ catalog and click on Request It.
- At the “With which library are you affiliated?” message, select SPLASH Consortium from the dropdown menu.
- At the Request Verification screen, type in your Name, Library card number and PIN and select your hold Pickup Location from the pulldown menu.
- Click Submit to place your hold.
If there is a copy available to fill your hold, the title will be sent from the owning library for pickup at your local library. If you attempt to place a hold on a title that is not available, you will receive a “Sorry, no copies available for requests” message.
Can anyone use Link+?
All Solano County Library customers with current library cards in good standing can use the Link+ service. If you have account issues, you will need to address them before you can use the Link+ service by calling 1-866-57-ASKUS or visiting any Solano County Library branch.
I just got a new library card. Can I use Link+ right away?
New customers or existing customers who change their library card number should wait until the next day to use Link+ to make sure those changes are communicated to Link+.
How much does LINK+ cost?
LINK+ is a free service, as long as you return your materials on time. LINK+ materials do not accrue overdue fines but can have a lost fee of up to $115.
What are the overdue fines and lost charges for LINK+ items?
Fines and fees policies are established by the Link+ consortium. All member libraries must follow the same policies. There are not overdue fines, but a fee will be attached for a lost Link+ item.
What can I request from Link+?
You can request books, music, books on CD, etc. from Link+. (At this time you are unable to borrow DVDS and Blu-rays.)
Customers can only place holds on titles that are not available in the SPLASH online catalog. If you try to place a Link+ hold on a title that is available in the local catalog, you will receive the following message, “You cannot use LINK+ to request items that are available at your institution.”
The item must be listed as “Available” in the Link+ catalog to be requested. If you attempt to place a hold on a title that is not available, you will receive a “Sorry, no copies available for requests” message. If you receive this message, you will need to wait until a copy is available to place your hold.
How many Link+ items can I have on hold and checked out at one time?
You may have a total of 3 Link+ holds in process at any given time. You may have a total of 5 Link+ items checked out or in route back to the owning library at any given time.
How long will it take to get Link+ items?
Items usually arrive within 7-10 days.
How do I know my Link+ item is ready and how long will the library hold it for me?
The Link+ hold notification process works just like it does with other library materials you have on hold. If you currently receive an email, phone, or text notice when your hold is available for pick up, you will receive the same type of notice for your Link+ hold. As with all other holds, the library will hold the LINK+ item(s) for 7 days. If not picked up by then, the item will be returned to the lending library.
How do I pick up my Link+ item and where can I return it?
LINK+ items may be picked up via curbside service, and at the customer service desk when the library is open by appointment.
LINK+ items checked out at a Solano County Library branch can be returned to any Solano County Library branch. These items may be returned in the book drop, but it is recommended you hand the item to a library staff member to ensure that it was returned. Link+ items checked out at the Benicia, Dixon or St. Helena library need to be returned directly to that library.
How can I cancel or check the status of my Link+ hold?
You may cancel or check the status of your LINK+ hold by calling 1-866-57-ASKUS or visiting any SPLASH library.
Note: If the hold is In Transit or Received, the hold may not be cancelled.
How long can I borrow a link+ item and how many times can I renew it?
The loan period for books and most audiovisual material is 21 days with one possible renewal (for an additional 21 days). (Some DVDs have a 7 day loan period. These DVDs are not renewable.)
You can renew items by calling 1-866-57-ASKUS or by bringing your Link+ item to the Customer Service Desk at any Solano County Library branch.
Renewals in the Link+ system can only be done within a short window of time near the due date (3 days before the due date through 2 days after the due date). The renewal process may take up to 15 minutes to process while the Link+ system checks with the lending library to make sure the item is currently available to renew. If the item is on hold at the lending library, the renewal will be denied and you will need to return the Link+ item on the original due date.