With the recent release of Murder on the Orient Express, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Dunkirk we have noticed a pattern of confusion as patrons request movies and TV shows from home. So, I’m going to give you some tips to keep in mind when requesting those items.
The most important step to take when searching for a movie is to limit the search to Topsham Public Library:
This is especially important when it comes to new releases or popular movies. When holds are placed on items, the owning library’s copy goes to their patrons first. As a Topsham Public Library patron, when you place a hold on a movie that Topsham Public Library owns, it will go to you before it will go to another library. So, when a movie has sixty or seventy or sometimes one hundred holds, if you request the Topsham Public Library copy, then it will come to you sooner than if you request a copy from another library.
If Topsham Public Library does not own a copy of the movie you want, then search All Minerva Locations: 
If another library has the item, and it does not have any holds on it, you should get it rather quickly (a week-ish). If it is a popular item, there will be a wait as, again, owning library’s copy goes to owning library’s patron first.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that the first item that pops up on your search may not be the item you want. For example, Murder on the Orient Express:
As you can see, there are two movie versions of Murder on the Orient Express that Topsham Public Library owns. The first one on the list is an older version from 1974, and the second is the 2017 theatrical release. Make sure you are choosing the one that you want by checking the release date and the cast that’s listed. Don’t just request the first one that pops up.
Also, make sure you have the right format. If you want a DVD rather than a book or a Blu-ray, for example, check the icon to the left of the listing. DVD has a green icon.
As always, if you need help requesting something, don’t hesitate to ask for help when you visit Topsham Public Library, or you may call us at 725-1727.