PIN Placing A Hold Viewing Your Holds Freeze Your Holds Renewing Materials Signing up for SMS Texts Username Ratings Lists Preferred Searches My Reading History My Account buttons View and Pay Fines and Fees Online Re-Register/Renew My Library Card Report My Card Lost or Stolen Troubleshooting not receiving email notices
Searching Map and Contact Information for Chester County Libraries
VIEW MY ACCOUNTAccess My Account by clicking on the words My Account at the top of any catalog page. With My Account you are able to:
Renew See your fines See your holds Cancel your holds Change the pickup location of your holds Place holds See your Interlibrary Loan requests Rate materials on a scale of 1-5 Create lists to save across catalog sessions Save searches across catalog sessions To access My Account you will need to enter your 14 digit Library barcode, and a PIN (Personal Identification Number) PINA PIN is a Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you choose. You will use it with your library barcode number or Username to enter My Account. We recommend you use a four digit number. PIN may not include numbers which repeat three times, example: 5777 nor numbers which repeat two digits, example 1212. Longer numbers and combination of letters and numbers will also work.
How to Create a PIN (video) To set up a PIN for your account, type your barcode number. Leave the PIN field blank. Click Submit.
Enter your chosen PIN twice. Click Submit.
Remember this number. You will need it every time you login into My Account. PLACING HOLDSPlacing a hold allows you to request that a copy of an item be sent to your choice of a library for pickup. There are two ways to request a Hold. 1.Search the catalog as usual. When you get to the specific material you want, click on “Place a hold on this item” just below the Rating Stars or on the Place a Hold icon at the top of the screen for an individual record. You will enter your 14 digit Library barcode and your PIN. Once this information is verified, you will be asked to select your pickup location and an optional not wanted after date. If you are requesting a specific volume or date of the title, you will be prompted on a new screen to select a volume or date. From the Hold Verification screen, choose Regular Display to continue searching. You will remain in MyAccount and will not need to reenter your personal information for any further holds. 2. First enter My Account. Enter any title in the box in the middle of the screen, and then search the catalog as usual. Once you find what you'd like to request, click on Place a Hold. You will be asked to select a pickup location and an optional not wanted after date. If you are requesting a specific volume or date of the title, you will be prompted on a new screen to select a volume or date. From the Hold verification screen, click on Regular Display to continue searching. You may place more holds without reentering your information. Materials which are not eligible for Holds:
--Long Overdue --Missing --In Mending --In Storage --In Processing To place a hold on an e-book or e-audiobook, click the link “Click Here to Access Title.” Then on the Overdrive page, choose a format. To place a hold on a hot spot, museum pass, or other equipment, click the link in the record. Patrons who are unable to place holds:
--Those with long overdue items --Those who are in Collection You will be notified when the material is ready for you. The Hold will have the status Ready in My Account. We recommend giving us your email address for the quickest notification. Or you can sign up to receive text mesages in the Patron Account. You have 7 days to pick up the material, unless otherwise indicated. If you are coming to the library the same day, call the library. How to place a hold (video) Viewing Your HoldsAccess your list of holds by clicking on the Holds box below your name. Your active holds are listed.
Status
On Shelf: This means the item is on the shelf at the owning library and not ready for pickup. Usually, this status displays early in the holds process. In Transit: This means the item is moving between the owning and lending library and not ready for pickup. Usually, items are in transit for 1-2 weekdays.
You can change the Pickup Location of items not already In Transit or Ready. Click on the down arrow, choose your pickup location. Then click on Update List at the top or bottom of the list. If there is no down arrow, it is too late in the holds process to change the pickup location and you will need to contact your library. The system generates this date at the time you place the hold. It is 9 months after the hold is placed, unless you indicate otherwise. Freeze Holds The "Freeze" a hold option allows you to freeze a hold without losing your place on the waiting list for that item. For example, if you are going on vacation and don't want to miss getting your holds, you can freeze them before you leave then unfreeze them when you return. To freeze a hold:
2. Click on the Holds button. 3. Under the Freeze column, click the box next to each requested item to be frozen. 4. Click the Update List button. To re-activate or unfreeze a hold:
2. Click on the Holds button. 3. Click the box next to each item. 4. Click the Update List button. How to freeze a hold (video) There are three ways you can try to renew your items you have checked out: online through My Account, on the App, or contacting your local library. Materials which cannot be renewed through My Record or the app
Materials which have already been renewed Materials which are fee-based. Specality items, including Hot Spots and Museum Passes and Rokus Call your local library to see about renewing these materials listed above. Library staff will add the fee to your record, if applicable. To renew online, you will need to be logged into My Account using your barcode and PIN. You will see a list of the materials checked out to you. Click in the box to the left of each item you wish to renew. Then click on Renew Selected. Look for the new due dates and other messages next to items. Most items can be renewed once for an additional 3 weeks, then once more for an additional week. Note that the additional time is added to the day you renew, not the original due date. Wait until close to the due date to renew in order to get the maximum benefit of renewing. Renewing through My Account is limited to first time renewals. For additional renewals, please contact your local library. To access My Account you will need to enter your 14 digit Library barcode, and a PIN (Personal Identification Number) Click here to download the appUsers can opt in to receive texts messages from the catalog server.
Click on Modify Personal Info Scroll down to Mobile Settings Type in phone number and click on the check box to OPT IN Scroll down to the bottom and click on Submit. Users can create a Username to use to access their library account instead of their barcode number. 
To create a Username, login to your account using your library barcode number and PIN. Click the Modify Information button and add a Username. Usernames need to be 6-25 characters long and are not case sensitive. Any title in the catalog can be rated using a five star scale. Users need to be logged into their accounts to rate titles. To rate a title, simply click on the star you wish to give the title (1 is the lowest). The accumulated ratings are visible in the catalog for anyone to see. 
Users can view their ratings by logging into their account and clicking on the My Ratings button. 
Users can use the My Ratings screen to change or delete a rating. Users can create lists of titles to save across catalog sessions. Users need to be logged into their accounts to create lists and save titles to lists. Examples of lists could be books to read, books in a particular subject area, books by a particular author, movies/books to recommend. Users can create multiple lists and add to or delete from them as desired. To create a list, log into your account. As you search the catalog, you will see both a Select List box and Save to My Lists button. 
You need to mark (check the box) any title you wish to save to a list. Next, you need to choose Create a New List from the drop down box. 
Then, click Save to My Lists. A Save Records to a List screen will display. Choose a name and description (optional) for the list and click Submit. Once a list(s) has been created, lists will appear in the drop down box. 
To view lists, click on Return to Your Record. From the record screen, click on the My Lists button. From My Lists, you can delete lists and export lists. Within a list, users can place a title on hold or remove it from the list. PREFERRED SEARCHESUsers can save searches across catalog sessions. Users need to be logged into their accounts to save or access saved searches. Any search can be saved as a preferred search. To save a search, log into your account. Perform a search. Once the search is completed, a Save as Preferred Search button will appear next to the search box. 
Click the button to save the search. You cannot name a search. To retrieve a preferred search, login to your account and click the Preferred Searches button. 
To run a preferred search, click the Search link. You can mark a preferred search for email (Be sure that your patron record information includes your current email address) then click on Update List. An email will be sent out once a week with any additions to the list. To stop receiving this email, uncheck the Mark for Email button then click on Update List My Reading History
Users can view a list of all materials checked out on a card following the Opt In. To begin keeping a Reading HistoryFrom within My Account, click on My Reading History 
Then click on Opt In 
Your Reading History will begin with Materials checked out after the Opt In. Items can be deleted from the list. If materials are deleted from the collection, the item will be listed as Information Unavailable with the checkout date listed. To Opt Out you must first delete all records. My Account ButtonsMy AccountMy ListsPreferred SearchesHoldsView and Pay Fines and Fees OnlineChester County Library System now offers the service of paying your fines and fees online. How can I pay my library fines and fees online? What is the Chester County Library Systems Security/Privacy/Refund policy? What forms of payment are accepted for online payments? Is a service fee charged when paying fines online? Is there a minimum fine amount that can be paid online? Why do the fines I just paid still appear on "My Account" screen? How do I get a receipt when I pay my fines online?
Adult accounts: To renew an expired card, present identification that verifies your current address at any member library. You can also renew your card by downloading the app. Click here to learn how to download the mobile app Be aware that: You will not be issued a new library card unless your original card is lost or damaged. After re-registering, accounts will expire every three years. Expired cards cannot be used to borrow or renew materials, place holds, or download e-materials. Cardholder expiration dates are visible just below the address in My Account Minor’s accounts (under age 18): Minor’s cards will expire when the cardholder reaches 18 years of age. When a minor’s card expires, they must show identification that verifies current address and complete an adult application form to reactivate their account. When you register for a Chester County Library System library card, you accept responsibility for all items borrowed on the card, all use made of the card and all charges made against the card until your card is reported lost or stolen. For your protection, report the loss or theft of your library card to a member library immediately. Lost or stolen cards can be reported, by phone or in person, to any member library. Cards reported lost or stolen will be blocked from use until a replacement card is issued, or reactivation is requested by the cardholder. Identification that verifies current address must be presented to obtain a replacement card, or upon request to reactivate a card that has been reported lost or stolen. Troubleshooting not receiving email notices
Some basic troubleshooting tips when you are not receiving email notices • Ask your library to make sure the email address on your account is correct. • If your email address is correct, please add [email protected] to your white list/allowed senders list. If you cannot add a single address, add ccls.org to the white list/allowed senders. • If you are a gmail/google user, please check out their support page here for helpful suggestions: Gmail messages are missing - Computer - Gmail Help (google.com) • Sign up for text messages. Patron records can include both email and text addresses. • Download the app to keep track of your record. • If you are having a problem with only a particular type of notice (holds, overdues, and courtesy notices), please let your library know so that they can submit a help ticket on your behalf. TITLEEnter the beginning of the title. Examples:
it takes Hunger games Titles include song or short story titles
Titles also include series titles
KEYWORDEnter meaningful words. A keyword search searches most parts of the record. A keyword search assumes an AND between words. You may also use OR Example: "near death experience" AUTHOREnter the name, LAST NAME FIRST
Abba Depaola, tomie An organization may also be an author AUTHOR/TITLEType the author's last name and a word from the title, then press the Enter key or click Submit. Example:
Title: five (If you remember that Janet Evanovich wrote a title for each number, but you don't remember the title that includes five.)
Title: maximum (The results will be all the Maximum ride titles.)
Title: help (This is an effective way to search for a one word title when you know the author. This is much quicker than reading through all the titles you get if you just search ‘help”.) SUBJECTEnter the subject. The subject search uses a specific, controlled vocabulary for describing Library material. If you don’t find what you need, do a WORD Search instead. Examples: Italian Cooking Christmas A subject search is also the correct choice for biographies. Enter the person’s name, LAST NAME FIRST. Example: Winfrey, Oprah A subject search may also be used for a recurring fictional character. Enter the character name, Last name first
Example:
MAGAZINEEnter the name of the magazine or newspaper. Example:
New York times ADVANCED SEARCHAn advanced search allows you to enter multiple search terms and select limits all in one place. Just as in a WORD Search, entering two or more words assumes an AND search. You can use OR and AND NOT. An * can be used as a wildcard to allow for various endings of a word. Example: environment* will search for environments and environmental as well as environment. An* can also be used as a place holder to mean anything. Example: * in the Search box then limit to Video/DVD , a particular library, and specific dates to see ALL the videos at that library within a date range. SEARCH BUTTONSMost of the screens you see while searching include buttons at the top and bottom. The buttons and their locations change from screen to screen. Here are explanations of the most common buttons. STATUS |
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