Linking Multiple Library Accounts
Can I access the online catalog from places other than the library?
The library's online catalog can be accessed by clicking on the My Account button at the top of the screen.
How do I access my account information?
- Log in with your Access Pass number (library card number) and PIN.
- Your PIN is your birthdate in MMDDYYYY order.
- Click the blue Username button in the upper right corner.
- Select My Library Dashboard from the dropdown menu.
- On the left pane, your My Borrowing information displays.
- Click Checked Out for a list of your checked out items and due dates.
- Click On Hold for a list of items you have placed on hold and their status.
- Click Fees to see a list of fees and fines that have been assigned to your account.
Why can't I log in with my Library Card Number and Birth Date?
Be sure to:
- Enter your 14 digit MCPL Card Number with no spaces, card (ID) example: 20000010123456 (if we have registered you in our system using your card from another local library system or you have a student card, your card number may not have 14 digits)
- Enter your 8 digit Birth Date in MMDDYYYY format, birthdate (PIN) example: September 2, 1963 = 09021963
I use the option to remember my card number and birth date. How can I change this information?
FIRST: The most common cause of failed logins is an incorrectly stored date of birth in your web browser. Because this is a password field, you will only see ******** on the screen. Try deleting, then re-entering your birthdate in the MMDDYYYY format as described above.
SECOND: Since this is a function of your web browser and not a function of our online catalog system, the library cannot guarantee any results.
Instructions for using AutoComplete for different web browsers:
Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 11)
What does 'User BLOCKED' mean?
If you try to place a hold or renew items you have checked out and see this message, there is some problem with your account that needs attention. There are a number of reasons that include the card having been reported lost or an invalid mailing address. For assistance with your account, please contact your local branch.
How will I know when my holds are available?
You can find out if your holds are available one of two ways:
- Login to the online catalog and click your username in the upper right-hand corner. Click On Hold. Under On Hold, Ready now will display (in green) with the number of items available now. The item records for these holds will display at the top of your hold list showing the “Pickup by” date and the “Pickup at” location.
- The library will also notify you when your holds are available. You will be notified by postal mail unless you have requested to be notified by email (see below).
Can you email me when my holds are available?
Yes. To sign up for email notifications, contact your local branch.
Can I pause a hold?
Yes. To pause a hold you will need to log into the online catalog. You can also get a more detailed look with this video.
- Log in with your Library Card number and PIN.
- Click the blue Username button in the upper right corner of the page.
- Select On Hold from the dropdown menu.
- Each item that is not yet Ready has a button indicating Pause Hold. Click Pause Hold to pause that request.
- You will need to enter a date when you want the hold to resume in Until Select a date. Click on Select a Date to choose a date, and then click on Pause Hold to confirm the activity.
- Holds will not be paused any longer than two years from the date that the request was originally made.
How long might I expect to wait for library materials?
Wait times can vary depending on the number of requests for an item, the number of copies the library holds, and the checkout period available for that item. When you have requested an item, you can see your relative order on the request queue by viewing your holds online or by contacting a staff member at a branch library or via telephone.
To see your order on the request queue, access our online catalog.
- Log in with your Library Card number and PIN.
- Click the blue Username button in the upper right corner of the page.
- Select On Hold from the dropdown menu.
- Each item that is not yet Ready will indicate Not ready and list your order in the request queue and how many copies of the item are available to fill those holds in this fashion: “#12 on 6 copies.”
After three years, any requests that have not been completed are removed from the system.
Can I change my street or email address online?
You can update your email address in your account under My Settings. At this time, to update your street address, please contact one of our library locations.
How do I access more details about an item I find in the catalog?
On the search results screen, click on the title of the item. A page will display the item details including availability, a summary, catalog record, and additional content such as alternate formats, reviews and similar titles.
How do I limit my searches to just Videos, Audio Books, etc.?
To limit your search to a specific format, simply add the format to the Keyword search box. For instance, if you want to search for an audio book that is by John Grisham, simply type John Grisham audio book. This will display all the titles by John Grisham in either Audio book on CD or Downloadable audio book format. This works for other formats as well. To see a list of our newest movies, simply type New Movies using the Keyword search option. Once again, you will see only the movie formats displayed with the newest items at the top of the list. Once you have a list of results, limiters are available on the left-hand side of the screen to further limit your search or switch item types.
Why do I get logged out of the catalog sometimes?
After 30 minutes of inactivity, the online catalog assumes you are finished with your session and closes it for you. This is a safeguard we have in place so that if you forget to logout after using a library computer, the next user won't have access to your library card information. Automatic logout after 30 minutes is also necessary to keep sessions running as efficiently as possible for the users that are still active within their catalog session.
How do I log out?
- Click the blue Username button in the upper right corner.
- Select Log Out from the dropdown menu.