Curbside Pickup

How do I place and pick up holds?

• Reserve your APL items online or over the phone using our Holds system.
• We'll take a few business days to find your Holds and get your order ready. If your items are coming to us from other APL locations it may take longer, so keep an eye on your account!
• You may receive a hold notification and the item will display as ready in your account.
• Once your items are available, you have two options for picking them up:

1. 1. Make an advance appointment (Loussac Only and Chugiak-Eagle River):
      Schedule an appointment for curbside pickup. You must make the appointment at least two days in advance. Arrive at your designated appointment time and call the posted phone number. 
   2. Come to the library parking lot during our posted operating hours:
      Go to the APL location that you selected for pickup. If you are at a branch (Gerrish, Mt. View, or Muldoon) call the number posted in the parking lot.

Who can place holds?

Patrons with a physical library card or verified card number, whose account is in good standing. Holds are unavailable for Temporary Card Holders. Temporary Cardholders have access to many of our eResources, or can come to the library to get a verified card.

What time can I pick up my holds?

Curbside appointments are limited to:

Loussac Library
Monday-Saturday: 10-11 AM and 5-6 PM 
Sunday: 3-4 PM

Chugiak-Eagle River
Saturday: 10 AM-1 PM and 3-5 PM

On-demand curbside is available at Gerrish (Girdwood), Mountain View and Muldoon Libraries. Just call the library at the on-site posted numbers and a staff person will bring out your holds.

Who can pick up my holds?

Anyone may pick up your items, but they must present your library card or have your library card number in order to pick up your items. Staff will not release items to those without a verified library card number. 

What items can I check out?

If an item shows available for holds with your Anchorage Public Library Card, it may be placed on hold and picked up with curbside. Materials available: books, CDs, Playaways, DVDs, youth STEM and story kits, and book club bags.

How many items can I have?

Requests are limited to 10 items per Library Cardholder at a time. Multiple card holders may combine into one pickup. 

How much does it cost?

There is no fee for this service.

What happens if I miss my curbside appointment?

On the day of your appointment your items are checked out to you. We ask you try to be prompt and come during appointment window. If you arrive late, you may come in person to pick up your items or call the number posted to tell us when your appointment time was. Items will be checked back in and made available to others at the end of the business day.

What if I need to cancel and reschedule my appointment?

Life happens. We understand. If you are unable to keep your scheduled appointment we appreciate the cancellation so another patron may grab that spot. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will result in re-shelving of items and a new holds request and appointments will need to be made.

What if I do not feel comfortable using the curbside service?

What if I no longer want to check out the items I have on hold?

Please call 907-343-2975 and ask to be connected with staff at your library.

When are my items due?

Please review our Circulation Policy for checkout timelines.

How do I return my items?

Please use our book drops. If you have a bag or STEM kit checked out, please do not return it in a book drop. These items may be returned to a staff member.

What are the safety precautions your staff is taking?

APL staff make safe handling of materials, and safe interactions with the public a priority. This includes keeping interactions brief and practicing social distancing when possible.

What if I don’t have a car, but still want Curbside Pickup?

You don't need a car to use our curbside pickup service. You can walk, bike or drive to your appointment.