Online Catalog Help

How do I find a book/DVD?
How do I place a hold?
How can I tell if something is available at the library?
How do I locate an item in the library?
What is my User ID?
What is my PIN number?
What do I have checked out? When is it due? Do I owe any fines?
How can I renew my materials?
How can I change my PIN?
How can I notify the library that my address has changed?

If you need further assistance, please call 409-643-5977 or go to the Reference Desk.

How do I find a book/DVD?

In the catalog, click on [Search/Home] or [New Search].

To search by title:

  1. Type in the title of the item. For example, "Da Vinci Code."
  2. Click on the downward-pointing arrowhead beside [words or phrases] and select "title."
  3. Click [Search].

To search by author:

  1. Type in the author of the book last name first. For example, "King, Stephen."
  2. Click on the downward-pointing arrowhead beside [words or phrases] and select "author."
  3. Click [Search].

To search by subject:

  1. Type in the subject you are looking for. For example, "ghosts."
  2. Click on the downward-pointing arrowhead beside [words or phrases] and select "subject."
  3. Click [Search].

Another option is Power Search, which allows you to limit your search by additional parameters such as by only looking at DVDs or nonfiction material.

How do I place a hold?

Search for your item. Click on [Details] to get the item record. On the left-hand side of the item record, click [Place Hold]. Enter your User ID (your 14-digit library card number) and your PIN (your birthday, MMDDYYYY). Click [Place Hold].

How can I tell if something is available at the library?

The search results will note how many copies of that item are available and where in the library such as "2 copies available in Audio Visual." Otherwise, you will see "No copies currently available."

How do I locate an item in the library?

After searching for your item, click on [Details]. Make a note of an item's call number and its location. For example:

Call number Copies Material Location
791.45 PAWNEE 1 New Book New Book Shelves

This means the book is located on the New Book Shelves. Jot down the call number "791.45 PAWNEE" to track down the book's exact location on the shelf.

What is my User ID?

Your User ID is the 14-digit number on the back of your library card. It can contain a combination of letters, numbers and symbols. For example, PMML000012345%

What is my PIN number?

By default, your PIN is your birthday written out as eight-digit number: MMDDYYYY. For example, 01011950.

What do I have checked out? When is it due? Do I owe any fines?

You can find all this information by logging into your account. In the top right of the screen, enter your User ID and PIN Click on [Login to the e-Library OPAC]. The User ID and PIN boxes will disappear. Click on [My Account] and then [Review My Account].

How can I renew my materials?

Log into your account: In the top right of the screen, enter your User ID and PIN. Click on [Login to the e-Library OPAC]. The User ID and PIN boxes will disappear. Click on [My Account] and then [Renew My Materials].

You will see a list of the items you have checked out. Click the check boxes beside the items you wish to renew. Then click [Renew Selected Items]. You will then see a message on whether the items renewed successfully and their new due dates. You are allowed to renew items up to two times unless a hold has been placed on them by someone else.

How can I change my PIN?

Log into your account: In the top right of the screen, enter your User ID and PIN. Click on [Login to the e-Library OPAC]. The User ID and PIN boxes will disappear. Click on [User PIN Change].

How can I notify the library that my address has changed?

Log into your account: In the top right of the screen, enter your User ID and PIN. Click on [Login to the e-Library OPAC]. The User ID and PIN boxes will disappear. Click on [Change My Address]. Enter in your new address information and then click [Send].