What can we help you with today?

Some of the features described in this online help guide may not be enabled for your library. If you have additional questions about a feature that you see in the help, please ask a librarian for assistance.

General FAQ

To log in

  1. Click Log In from the menu bar at the top of your screen.
  2. Provide your username and password at the prompt.

    Note: If you are presented with a system list and don't know which to choose, ask your librarian for assistance.

  3. Click Log In.
  1. Tap Menu (Menu Icon), then select Log In.
  2. Provide your username and password at the prompt.

    Note: If you are presented with a system list and don't know which to choose, ask your librarian for assistance.

  3. Tap Log In.

To create an account

  1. Click Log In from the menu bar at the top of your screen.
  2. Click Register.

    Note: If self registration is disabled, see a librarian for assistance in creating your account.

  3. Fill out the required information, and click Register.
  1. Tap Menu (), then Log In.
  2. Tap Register.

    Note: If self registration is disabled, see a librarian for assistance in creating your account.

  3. Fill out the required information and tap Register.

Click Library Information from the menu bar at the top of your screen.

Tap Menu (), then tap Library Information.

Information presented here about the library may include the location (or address), phone number, and hours of operation.

Hover over Select Language in the menu bar at the top of your screen, and select the desired language from the list to change the language for text in the catalog.

Tap Menu (), then tap Select Language, and select the desired language from the list to change the language.

Click Enable Accessibility Mode (Enable Accessibility icon) in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

Tap Menu (), then Enable Accessibility Mode.

If your library has enabled this option, you can send requests for new titles or specific information, and track those requests, in My Account.

To send a request

  1. Click Send a Request in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

    Tap the Menu button () and tap Send a Request.

  2. If prompted, log in to your library account.
  3. Select the type of request you want to make from the list of options. Your selection will modify which fields are displayed.
  4. Fill out the fields, then click Submit.

    Fill out the fields, then tap Submit.

The Select an Action drop down menu is found on the search results page, on an item's detail display, and in My Lists. From the search results, set the checkbox next to the desired item or items. For example, if you want to place a hold on two items at the same time, set the checkboxes for each item, click Select an Action, and select Place Hold from the list.

The Select an Action menu is found on the search results page, on an item's detail display, and in My Lists. It appears as a vertical ellipsis (). Tap the three dots to open the menu, and select the desired action.

Depending on your library's configuration, you may see these options in the Select an Action menu:

  • Place Hold(s): This option lets you place a hold on a selected item.
  • Add to My Lists: This option lets you save selected items to a list.
  • Email: This option lets you email item information.
  • Text It To Me: This option lets you text item information to a cell phone.
  • Print: This option lets you print item information.
  • Place Hold: Place a hold on the title.
  • Add to My Lists: Save the title to a list. If you're signed in, you'll be prompted to select the list to which the title should be assigned. Otherwise it will add it to the temporary list.
  • Email: This option lets you email item information.
  • Text It To Me: This option lets you text item information to a cell phone.

The following options appear only in the Select an Action list on the My Lists page:

  • Delete Selected: This option lets you delete selected titles from a list within My Lists.
  • Move: This option lets you move selected titles from one list to another within My Lists.
  • Copy: This option lets you copy selected titles from one list to another within My Lists.
  • Delete: This option lets you delete the title from lists within My Lists.
  • Move: This option lets you move the title from one list to another within My Lists.
  • Copy: This option lets you copy the title from one list to another within My Lists.

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Search FAQ

Use the Fields drop-down list on the search bar to limit your search to a particular field (for example, Title, Author, or Subject). If you want to search all fields, leave All Fields selected.

Tap Search Options to expand the search interface. Use the Fields drop-down list to limit your search to a particular field (for example, Title, Author, or Subject). If you want to search all fields, leave All Fields selected.

Use the Limits drop-down list on the search bar to limit your search to a specific location or database (for example, the Library of Congress). If you do not want to use this feature, leave Everything selected.

Tap Search Options to expand the search interface. Use the Limits drop-down list to limit your search to a specific location or database (for example, the Library of Congress). If you do not want to use this feature, leave Everything selected.

After searching, there are two additional methods of limiting the library results:

  • Click Only Show Library Results to limit your search results to the items that are available directly at your library; click Show All Results to again include items that are not available directly at your library.
  • Click Only Show Available to limit your search to items that are available for checkout; click Include Unavailable to again include items that are not available for checkout.

You can create more specific searches so that you receive results that are more tailored to your needs by clicking Advanced Search on the search bar.

You can create more specific searches so that you receive results that are more tailored to your needs by tapping Search Options to expand the search interface, then tapping Advanced Search.

While there are many options to limit your search, if you select too many limits, your search may not return any results at all.

With an advanced search, you can search exact phrases or exclude terms from your search. For example, if you wanted to do a search on potters but did not want results for "Harry Potter," you could search the term "potter" and enter "Harry" in the unwanted terms box.

You can also apply any combination of limits on your search with Additional limits, including format type, language, location, fields, availability, and targets.

Once you have set up your search with the terms and limits you want, click Advanced Search to get your search results.

After you have received the results of a search, you can use the Sort By drop-down list to sort the results by publication date (ascending or descending), title, or author. The most relevant results are then sorted by that option.

Search facets limit the results of your search by filtering the results by specific characteristics, such as author, media format (books, DVDs, musics, and so forth), or publishing date, to name a few. You can find facets under Limit Search Results on the left side of the page. The facets are located in a slide menu that can be opened by tapping Filter Results on the search results page. Facets are listed by category, such as Author, Format, Item Type, Electronic Format, and so forth. Here are some ways you can use facets to refine your search:

  • Select a facet. Each facet narrows the search to specific works in the library. For example, if you select "Books," your search results will only include items that are books.
  • Select multiple facets. Each time you select a facet, the search results update, narrowing the search even further. For example, if you select "Books" facet and later select the facet for a specific author, your search results will only include books by that author.

  • Include or exclude facets. Each facet has Include and Exclude buttons. Set the checkbox next to one or more facets, then click Include or Exclude. "Include" requires all displayed search results to pertain to the facet. "Exclude" removes content pertaining to the facet from all displayed search results. For example, if you want to search for "potter" but don't want to include books by J. K. Rowling, you can filter out those books by excluding the "Rowling, J. K." Author facet.

Use the More or Fewer options to expose or hide facets within a field incrementally. You can also use the View All option to open all of the facets in a separate window. Collapse All resets the facet display for that type.

The Publication Date facet has two views: Graph and Date. You can toggle between the two. The Date view works just like any other facet. The Graph view, however, has some other options:

  • Use the sliders to create a date range (for example, 1971-1990). Then select whether you want to include or exclude that date range in your search results.
  • Enter a date range in the text box (for example, "1971"-"1990"). If you want the date range to have no end (up to the current date), leave the second text box blank (for example, "1971" - ""). Likewise, if you want the date range to go back as far as it can go, leave the first text box blank (for example, "" - "1971"). Select whether you want to include or exclude that date range in your search results.

Experiment! Facets let you be very flexible with search results. Try using the different facets and see what results you get.

Any facets you have applied will appear in the Narrowed by section. Facets you have included in search results will have a (plus) sign; facets you have excluded will have a (minus) sign. Click next to a facet to remove that specific facet, or remove all facets by clicking Clear all.

Tap Filter Results. Any facets you have applied will appear under Narrowed by: in the slide out menu. Facets you have included in search results will have a (plus) sign; facets you have excluded will have a (minus) sign. Tap (remove) to the right of a facet remove it.

You can request that a hold be placed on an item that is checked out so you can check it out once it becomes available.

To place a hold

  1. Perform a search for the item or items you want.
  2. From the Search Results page, navigate to the item you want to place on hold and click Place Hold.

    Note: You can place a hold on multiple items (also known as a bulk hold) by using the checkboxes next to the titles and selecting Place Hold(s) from the Select an Action menu.

    From the Search Results page, navigate to the item you want to place on hold and tap the Select an Action menu for that item, then tap Place Hold.

  3. Log in, if prompted.
  4. Select the pickup library from the drop-down list and click Place Hold.

    Select the pickup library from the drop-down list and tap Place Hold.

Some of your search results may include eBooks.

You can download them from your search results by clicking Download. A window will display and ask you to select an eBook reader or format. Select the reader or format you want, and the eBook will begin to download.

You can download them from your search results by tapping the Select an Action menu for that item, then tap Download. Select the reader or format you want, and the eBook will begin to download.

If you use RSS, you can click RSS (RSS icon) to save any of your searches as an RSS feed. This way, you can see updated results of your specified searches through your RSS reader.

Note: To take advantage of RSS feeds, you must have an RSS enabled browser or an RSS reader.

If your library catalog has enabled the Buy It Now feature, clicking Buy It Now for a title will take you to an online store to make the purchase.

If your library catalog has enabled the Buy It Now feature, tapping Buy It Now for a title will take you to an online store to make the purchase.

Note: Items purchased through these library links provide a portion of the purchase price back to your library.

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My Account FAQ

My Account lets you view your checkouts, holds, and any fines you may have. You can also view your personal information, change your PIN or password and set up your preferences.

Click My Account from the menu bar at the top of the screen.

Tap Menu (), then tap My Account.

Note: If you are not already logged in, the system will prompt you to log in before you can access the My Account page.

Personal Information

When your account was created, a PIN (personal identification number) or password was chosen to protect your account from unwanted access.

The steps to change you PIN or password are different depending on whether or not you know your existing PIN or password.

To change a known PIN or Password

  1. Log in to your library account.
  2. Go to My Account.
  3. Open the Personal Information tab, then open the Change PIN or Change Password section.
  4. Provide your current PIN or password and your desired new PIN or password, then click Update.

    Provide your current PIN or password and your desired new PIN or password, then tap Update.

To reset your PIN or Password

  1. Click Log In from the menu bar at the top of the screen.

    Tap Menu (), then select Log In.

  2. Click Forgot my PIN.

    Tap Forgot my PIN.

  3. Provide your username and click Submit.

    Provide your username and tap Submit.

You'll receive an email with a recovery link. Follow the instructions in the email to reset you PIN or password.

Your library may allow you to edit your own personal information online. If not, please speak with a librarian about the needed changes.

To edit personal information

  1. Click My Account in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

    Tap the Menu button () and tap My Account.

  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Click Edit.
  4. Select the field you want to update and enter the updated information.
  5. Click Save.

Your library may allow you to set up text (SMS) notifications online. If not, please ask a librarian for assistance.

If you have a phone that can receive text messages, you can use the SMS Notifications section under My Account to enter the phone number and select which notifications you want to receive. Click Add New to define a new phone and select the notifications you want to receive. You can subscribe to the following notifications:

  • Bill Notices—Lets you receive notifications about fines and fees.
  • Overdue Notices—Lets you receive notifications about items that may be coming due or have passed the due date.
  • Hold Pickup Notices—Lets you receive notifications regarding items that you have placed on hold.
  • Manual Messages—Lets you receive messages written to you by a librarian. These may be in response to a communication you have sent to the library.
  • User Announcements—Lets you receive general messages sent by the library.

If your library allows it, you can change your personal preferences in the Personal information section of My Account. If not, please talk to a librarian at your library.

To edit personal preferences

  1. Click My Account in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

    Tap Menu (), then tap My Account.

  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Navigate to the Personal Information tab, then open the Preferences section.

    Tap Personal Information, then tap Preferences.

  4. Adjust your preferences the way you want, then click Update.

    Adjust your preferences the way you want, then tap Update.

Checkouts

You can view the titles you currently have checked out from My Account.

To view your current checkouts

  1. Click My Account in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

    Tap Menu (), then My Account.

  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Navigate to the Checkouts tab.

The Date Due column in My Account > Checkouts lists when each checked out title is due. Overdue titles will have an alert badge ().

If your library allows you to renew items online, you can do so from the Checkouts tab in My Account.

Note: Certain items may not be renewable online. Items that cannot be renewed are clearly marked with a description as to why that particular item is not renewable.

To renew items online

  1. Click My Account in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

    Tap Menu (), then select My Account.

  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Navigate to the Checkouts tab, then expand the desired section.
  4. Select the item or items you want to renew or use the Select All option to select all your current checkouts.
  5. Click Renew.

    Tap Renew.

Some digital items cannot be returned and simply expire at the end of their checkout period.

Holds

You can request that a hold be placed on an item that is currently checked out so you can check it out once it becomes available.

To place a hold, use the Place Hold button or the Select an Action drop-down list from the search results page or from the detail display for the item. You can manage your holds from the My Account page, but you cannot place a hold from My Account. To place a hold in person at your library, please see a librarian.

To place a hold

  1. Perform a search for the item or items you want.
  2. Do one of the following:

    • From the Search Results page or the Title Details page, find the item you want to place on hold and click Place Hold.
    • From the Search Results page, use the checkboxes to select multiple items and click Place Hold(s) from the Select an Action drop-down list. This option may not be available on mobile screens.

    Note: If you are not logged in to your library account, choosing the Place Hold option prompts you to log in.

  3. From the window that displays, select the pickup library from the drop-down list.
  4. Click Place Hold.

    A message displays that tells you whether or not the hold was successfully placed.

You can view your current holds from the Holds tab in My Account. The Holds tab can have up to three sections: Library Holds, Digital Holds, and Group Holds.

If you have any holds that are available for pickup, an alert icon displays in the Holds section in My Account. If you have email notifications set up with your library, they will send an email notifying you that your item is ready for pickup.

You can suspend a hold previously placed until a later date.

Some digital titles do not support suspending holds.

To suspend a hold

  1. Click My Account in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Navigate to the Holds tab, then expand the Digital Holds or Library Holds section.
  4. Select the hold you want to suspend.
  5. Click Suspend Hold(s).
  6. Provide the dates on which you want to begin and end your hold suspension.
  7. Click Suspend.
  1. Tap Menu (), then select My Account.
  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Navigate to the Holds tab, then expand the Digital Holds or Library Holds section.
  4. Tap Select an Action (), and select Edit/Suspend Hold.
  5. Provide the starting date for your suspension. Set the End Date checkbox to display the End Date field, if needed.
  6. Tap Suspend.

Note: If no end date is provided, the hold will remain suspended until until the suspension is manually removed.

If your library allows it, you can cancel a previously placed hold. You can manage your holds from the Holds tab in My Account, or by talking to a librarian at your library.

To cancel a hold

  1. Click My Account in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Navigate to the Holds tab, then expand the Digital Holds or Library Holds section.
  4. Select one or more holds you wish to cancel.
  5. Click Cancel Hold(s).
  6. Confirm the cancellation.
  1. Tap Menu (), then select My Account.
  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Navigate to the Holds tab, then expand the Digital Holds or Library Holds section.
  4. Tap Select an Action () next to the hold you wish to cancel, then select Cancel Hold.
  5. Confirm the cancellation.

You can manage your holds from My Account, or by talking to a librarian at your library.

To edit the pickup location for a hold

  1. Click My Account in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

    Tap Menu (), then select My Account.

  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Navigate to the Checkouts tab, then expand the Library Holds section.
  4. Select the hold or holds whose pickup location you want to edit, or click the Select All option to select all current holds.

    Tap the Select an Action menu next to the title for which you wish to change pickup location.

  5. Click Edit Pickup Location(s).

    Tap Edit Pickup Location.

  6. Use the drop-down list to select the new pickup location.
  7. Click Change.

    Tap Save.

Fines

Current fines are visible from My Account.

To view your current fines

  1. Click My Account in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

    Tap Menu (), then My Account.

  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Navigate to the Fines tab, then expand the Current Fines/Blocks section.

Your library may allow you to pay fines online. You can also pay fines in person at your library.

To pay your fine online

  1. Click My Account in the menu bar at the top of your screen.

    Tap Menu (), then My Account.

  2. Log in, if prompted.
  3. Navigate to the Fines tab, then expand the Current Fines/Blocks section.
  4. Select the fines you want to pay.

    Note: If you have a library credit on your account, click Apply Credit to use that credit.

    Note: If you have a library credit on your account, tap Apply Credit to use that credit.

  5. Click Make a Payment.

    Tap Make a Payment.

  6. Fill out your payment information.
  7. Click Submit.

    Tap Submit.

    Note: Your library may require you to accept their Terms and Conditions before you can make the payment.

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My Lists FAQ

When you find items while searching that you want to keep and organize, you can save them to My Lists. You can create and customize your lists, and you can print or email your lists. From My Lists, you can also place holds on items.

To view My Lists

  1. Click My Lists from the menu bar. Your Temporary List and your saved lists are displayed in the left-side window under the Lists heading. Click a list to view its contents.

    Tap Menu (), then My Lists. Use the drop down menu to select individual lists to view.

  2. Log in, if prompted.

You can also rearrange your saved lists to taste.

To rearrange your saved lists

From My Lists, do one of the following:

  • Drag your lists to order them as you want them to appear ().
  • Use the Arrange By drop-down list to arrange your lists alphabetically (ascending or descending), or by the time they were created (most recent first or oldest first).

To add items to your My Lists

  1. From the search results page, use the checkboxes to select one or more titles to add to a list.
  2. Click Select an Action, then select Add to My Lists.
  3. If you are logged in to the system, select which of your lists you want to save items to, then click Add.

    If you are not logged in to the system, the title will be added to Temporary List automatically.

  1. From the search results page, tap the Select an Action menu () next to the title you want to add to a list.
  2. If you are logged in to the system, select which of your lists you want to save items to, then tap Add.

    If you are not logged in to the system, the title will be added to Temporary List automatically.

If you are logged in to the system, you can move items into other lists, or you can save the entire list. In essence, you will be creating a new list out of the items in your Temporary List.

If you are not logged in, the list of titles will be cleared after your session has expired (about 10 minutes with no activity in the browser). You can log in after you have placed items in your Temporary List to move them to one of your saved lists.

To move items from your Temporary List

  1. Click My Lists from the menu bar.
  2. Select the titles you wish to move using the checkboxes next to the titles.
  3. Click the Select an Action menu, then select Move.
  4. Select the destination list, then click Move.
  1. Tap Menu (), then My Lists.
  2. Tap Select an Action () for the title you wish to move, then tap Move.
  3. Select the destination list, then tap Move.

To save your Temporary List

  1. Click My Lists from the menu bar.
  2. Click Select an Action, then select Save Temporary List.
  3. When prompted, name your new list and click Save.
  1. Tap Menu (), then My Lists.
  2. Tap Select an Action () next to the lists drop down menu, then tap Save Temporary List.
  3. When prompted, name your new list and tap Save.

Note: If you log out without saving the list, the Temporary List will be cleared.

To create a new list

  1. Click My Lists from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  2. Click Add List (Add List icon).
  3. When prompted, name your new list.
  4. Click Create to create the new list.
  1. Tap Menu (), then My Lists.
  2. Tap Select an Action () to the right of the Lists drop down.
  3. When prompted, name your new list.
  4. Tap Create to create the new list.

To delete one or more lists

  1. Click My Lists from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
  2. Use the checkboxes on the left to select the lists you want to remove.
  3. Click Delete Lists ().

To remove a list

  1. Tap Menu (), then select My Lists.
  2. Tap Select an Action () to the right of the Lists drop down.
  3. Select Remove List.
  4. Tap Delete to confirm.

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A note about cookies

Your library catalog does not use tracking cookies except to maintain sessions. However, your library may use additional third-party applications such as Google Analytics which may use cookies. If you have questions about these third-party applications, contact your library for more information.