appears
on the New Titles list at the side of the page. (Click What’s
RSS for more information about how to set up RSS feeds and
where to find readers.)Getting Started
You can search the library’s online catalog from a remote location or from a computer in the library. Your library may offer many additional features; for example:
• Searching other libraries, databases, Internet sites, and community information
• Saving lists of titles and sharing your results
• Opening a new library account, or updating an existing account
• Requesting or purchasing items
• Renewing items
• Paying your fines and fees, or making a donation to the library
The library catalog software has been tested with common operating systems and browsers. If you have problems using the online catalog, contact your library.
Note:
The online catalog pages use JavaScript™. You
may need to enable JavaScript™ in your browser to display the pages
properly. If so, you will see a message at the top of the page when you
first access the library catalog. Check your browser settings to enable
JavaScript.
More information:
• Send a Question to the Library
Your library determines the first page you see when you connect to the library Web site. For many libraries, you select a link on the library home page to use the online catalog. Some libraries use the library catalog main page as the home page. The main catalog page offers links to library information, searches, and other features.
Main menu - Main menu options such as Search and My Account are near the top of the page. Place your cursor over an option to see choices related to the option.
Cover images - Your library may display a picture of a book in the center area. The pictured book is taken from current best-seller lists, and changes every time you return to or refresh the portal page. You can click the picture to search for the title in the library catalog, and if the title is not found, a form is displayed so you can ask the library to purchase it. Or you may see a rotating series of cover images that represent materials in the library catalog. You can click any image to search for the item in the catalog.
Sides of the page - At the side of each page you may see lists such as new arrivals and seasonal items. Click the plus sign + to expand a list. Items on the list are often links. For example, you can click a title on a new titles list to search for the title.
RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feeds are a method of publishing links to content on a Web site. Your
library may provide RSS feeds from the New Titles
list to your RSS reader, such as My Yahoo! or Bloglines. The list is
updated hourly to show new materials at the library, and the results
are sent to your RSS reader. You can click a link to launch a search
for the title. If your library provides RSS feeds, an orange RSS icon
appears
on the New Titles list at the side of the page. (Click What’s
RSS for more information about how to set up RSS feeds and
where to find readers.)
Click the orange RSS icon to list the RSS feeds in the center area of the page. If you have a Windows-based reader such as SharpReader, you can drag the orange XML icon for each feed you want to your reader. If you have a Web-based RSS news reader such as My Yahoo!, copy the URL for the feed and paste it into the appropriate field on the RSS setup page for your Web location. See your reader’s instructions for specific procedures.
Note:
Internet Explorer 7.0 and later includes an RSS feed reader.
If you click the XML icon or the URL for a feed, a page opens where you
subscribe to the feed in Internet Explorer. If you prefer to use a different
RSS reader, copy the URL for the feed and paste it into the reader’s
setup page.
Your feed will supply new titles for the system or branch to which you are currently connected. See Switch Branches.
To select a language other than English, if your library offers a choice, place your cursor over Language at the top of the page to display the list. Click a language. The pages are displayed in the language you selected. You can select a different language at any time during your session, without losing your place.
To switch to a large print version of the catalog, click Large Text at the top of the page.
To change the library to which you are currently connected, click the arrow symbol by the Switch to another branch list at the top of the page, and select another library from the list. When you switch to another branch, the page appearance and available features may change. If you switch to another branch while you are searching the catalog, the main page is displayed.
To return to the home page, click Library Info or the library’s logo image at the top of the page.
To use some features, you identify yourself by logging in. You log in by typing your library card number and your PIN. Your library may allow you to set up a user name for logging in, instead of requiring the library card number.
Some libraries require you to log in each time you need to identify yourself. For example, you may log in to request a hold, and log in again to view your library account.
At other libraries, you log in only once, and you remained logged in until you log out. If your library provides the single log-in feature, you are logged in for your entire session the first time you use a function that requires log-in. You can also log in for the session by selecting Log In/Register from the My Account menu. Follow these steps to log in for your entire session.
Note:
If you are working in the library, you may be required
to insert a card in a reader and type a password or PIN to use a library
workstation. After you log in to the workstation with your card, you
may be automatically logged in to Polaris. To log out of Polaris only,
but remain logged in at the workstation, click Log
Out at the top of the page. To log out of both Polaris and
the workstation, remove your card from the reader.
1. Click Log In/Register in the My Account menu.
The log-in form is displayed.
2. Type your barcode number (from your library card) in the Library Card Number or Username: box. Your library may require all or only part of the number.
Your library may accept a user name instead of the barcode. To set up a user name, click Create username.
3. Type your account PIN in the PIN box.
Note:
If you have an account but have never had a PIN, you
may be able to set up your PIN online. Click create
a PIN. If you need a PIN but do not see the create a PIN link, contact the library
for assistance.
4. Click Log In.
Your name and the Log Out link are displayed at the side of the page when you are logged in.
5. Log out by doing one of the following actions:
• If you are viewing your library account, click the Log Out link at the bottom of the account page, or click Log Out in the My Account menu.
• Click Log Out at the side of the page.
Important:
Logging out protects your privacy. If you are using the online
catalog in the library, be sure to log out.
Security
Your library may provide a secure connection for any
functions that require your library account barcode and PIN. The
lock icon 
in the status bar indicates a secure connection. You may receive a security
alert message when you first select a function that requires transmission
of personal information. You can click Yes
to proceed with the function.
Failed Log-in Attempts
The library may limit the number of times you can attempt to log in without success. At the first attempt, the system starts timing the attempts to log-in, and a warning message appears at the first unsuccessful attempt. When the limit has been reached or 5 minutes have passed from the first attempt with no successful log-in, a message appears and you must wait 5 minutes before trying to log in again.
Automatic Log-Out
If you are using a computer in the library and you have logged in, the library may set a time period after which you are automatically logged out if there is no activity. A count-down timer appears at the bottom of the page 60 seconds before the automatic log-out. To stop the automatic log-out, click a button, link, cover image, or anywhere in the white area of the catalog page.
Send a Question to the Library
Your library may allow you to send a question to a librarian by e-mail from the catalog, and receive a response by e-mail. You may need a barcode number or user name and PIN to use this feature.
1. Click Ask Us on the Library Info menu.
2. If a log-in page appears, type your library account barcode or user name and PIN in the appropriate boxes, and click Log In.
Note:
Your library may allow you to send a question without logging
in. If so, you can click Guest on the
log-in page to go straight to the form where you type your question.
The Ask Us form is displayed. If you logged in, the top part of the form shows information from your library account. If you clicked Guest to open the form, no barcode field is displayed, and your personal information is blank.
3. Type the e-mail address that should receive the response in the Your email address box. Your e-mail address must include the @ symbol and a period (example: jsmith@yournet.com).
You can also supply the date by which you need the response, and (if you did not log in) your name and your telephone number. This information is optional.
4. Type your question in the What is your question area, and click Send.
Your question is sent by e-mail to library staff at the library listed at the top of the page. A staff member responds by e-mail or telephone.
Important:
If you see your name and a Log Out
link at the top of the page, you are logged in. Be sure to click Log Out before you leave the computer.
When you have finished working in the library, this procedure protects your privacy. If you have logged in, click Log Out on the My Account menu or under your name at the side of the page. Otherwise, click Library Info or the library’s logo image to end your session.