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Online Catalog Help

Need help with our online catalog? Print the brochure below or click on a topic to view instructions and/or a tutorial video.

Using Your Library Account Online

Searching the Catalog
Login to Your Account

Go to login page

  • Make sure that you have registered with your local library and received a library card.
  • Make sure that you have provided your local library with a valid email address. This will allow you to modify your PIN and receive notices when an item you have requested has arrived or something checked out has become overdue.
  • If you have not established a PIN, go to the My Account page, enter the barcode from your library card, and leave the PIN field blank. After clicking “submit”, you will be prompted to create a PIN. This can be any combination of letters and numbers.
  • Remember that this login information will also allow you to access our collection of databases, and digital downloads.
  • After logging in you will be able to renew books, place holds, and create lists. If you have any questions, please contact your local library.
Your PIN

To create a PIN when first logging in:

  • Log into your My Account.
  • Enter the barcode from your library card.
  • Leave the PIN field blank.
  • You will be prompted to create a PIN. It can be a any combination of letters and numbers however the system will reject PINs that are not complex. For example, 1111 or 1234 are not allowed.

To modify your PIN:

  • Log into your My Account.
  • On this screen you should see the “Modify Your PIN” button – leftmost button, under your name, above the “Search the Catalog” box.
  • Click on the “Modify Your PIN” button.
  • A pop-up box will open, prompting your to enter your old PIN once and your new PIN twice.
  • Fill out the information and click “Submit”.

If you have forgotten your PIN:

  • Go to the login page for My Account.
  • Click “Forget your PIN?”
  • Enter your barcode on the next page and click “submit.”
  • If you have an email address on file, an message will be sent with a link to reset your password.
  • If you do not have an email address on file, you will need to come to the library to reset your password. Be prepared to show your library card and/or picture ID.
Notifications

Notifications are sent by our system when your items are coming due and when items you have requested are available for pickup.  When new patrons get cards, we default to email notifications if an email address was supplied.  If no email address was supplied, notifications come via automated phone call.  Text (SMS) notifications can be added to any other notification method, and they are the quickest way to be notified when an item is ready for you.

Changing Your Notification Method

To change your notification method, login to your account (see instructions above).

  • Click on your name in the upper right corner of the screen.
  • Click on the “Edit Account” button.
  • Select your preferred notification method and add the information, if needed.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Submit.”

Add Text (SMS) Notifications

In addition to the standard notification methods, you can also get text (SMS) alerts on your mobile phone. If your mobile service charges text messaging rates, those rates will apply.  To add text notifications, login to your account.

  • Click on your name in the upper right corner of the screen.
  • Click on the “Edit Account” button.
  • Scroll to the Mobile Settings area and enter your phone number, area code first.
  • Check the box to opt in.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Submit.”
  • You will receive a text message to confirm your choice.  You must reply by typing “yes” to complete the signup process.

You can stop the text messaging service at any time by replying STOP, STOP ALL, END, QUIT, CANCEL, or UNSUBSCRIBE.  A staff member can also assist with unsubscribing.

Requesting an Item

You can request that an item be reserved for you and pick it up at the library of your choice.

  • When you find an item you wish to request, find and click “Request”. You may be prompted to select a specific copy of the item.
  • You will be asked to enter your library card number and your PIN.
  • You then must select a library where you would like to pickup your title.
  • When your item arrives the library will notify you by phone or email.
  • You will have 7 business days to pick your item up.
  • You can log into your My Account to monitor your requests, change the pickup location or cancel them.
  • If the items you requested are in demand you will be placed in a queue. Requests are filled locally by the owning library first and then made available to other library’s patrons.
Renew an Item

Starting February 1, 2022, auto-renewals will be implemented for all UHLS libraries. If an item is eligible for renewal, it will be renewed automatically. For more information about automatic renewals, please visit our information page.

Changing, Canceling or Freezing a Request
You may change the pick-up location of your request before that item has been placed in transit or has already arrived for pick up. You may cancel your request at any time. You may also freeze a request if there are no copies currently available.

To change the pick-up location:

  • Log into your My Account.
  • Click on the link for your requests.
  • Use the drop down menu under the column pickup location to change the library.

To cancel the request:

  • Log into your My Account.
  • Click on the link for your requests.
  • Check the box next to the item you would like to cancel.
  • Click on the button “Update List”.
  • You will be prompted if you would like to proceed. After clicking yes, you will be returned to your My Account page.

To freeze the request:

If you plan on going on vacation or otherwise be unable to pick up requests when they arrive at the library, you can freeze them.

  • Log into your My Account.
  • Use the link in your My Account for requests.
  • Check the box under the column “Freeze”.
  • Select the “Update List” button. You will be prompted to proceed.
  • You may only “freeze” requests that have a waiting list.
Reading History
Using your My Account, you can save your reading history. Keep track of all the items you have checked out at the library by “opting in” to this service.

  • Log into your My Account.
  • Click on link for “Reading History”.
  • Click button to “Opt In”.
  • Your My Account will then start keeping a record of everything checked out. At any point you can “Opt Out” and the system will discontinue tracking future check outs. Please note that information was not saved in the previous system to protect your privacy. If you opt in, we would be obligated to turn this information over to the authorities, if subpoenaed.
Saving Lists
You can use “My Lists” to save lists of items that you wish to revisit for later use. The content in these lists is stored until you remove it. In “My Lists”, you can create folders to group your stored titles in ways that help you to organize your content. Titles stored in “My Lists” can be viewed and retrieved by logging into your My Account and using the “My Lists” link.

  • Log into your My Account.
  • Locate an item you wish to save to your list.
  • Click the icon to “Add to cart.” add to cart icon highlight
  • When you have gathered all of the items for your list in the cart, click on “My Cart” next to your name in the upper right of the screen.
  • Click “save to list” and either create a new list or save to a list already created.
  • Return to your record, select the “My Lists” link to view the lists created, request items, export to email or save locally on your computer.
Downloading Digital Items
Pay Your Library Charges Online

*a credit card or PayPal account is required

  • Login to your library account
  • Click “Fines/Fees” from the menu on the left
  • Click “Pay Online.”  If your fines total less than $1, the pay online option is not available.
  • Select the individual fine your want to pay (or click “select all”), then click “Continue”
  • When prompted, choose the payment method and enter your information
  • Click “Pay Now”
  • Print your payment receipt from the website or from the confirmation email (if applicable) for your records.
Subject East Greenbush Card UHLS Card UHLS MyCard
Library Card Registration Free to any individual who resides or pays taxes in the East Greenbush Community Library taxing district or Town of Schodack. Cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Free to any individual who volunteers or works at the EGRN Library. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Free to partner educational agencies with verified employment. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

Those that live outside the UHLS area may purchase a temporary card at the price established by our Table of Fines and Fees. Cards expire and must be renewed yearly.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

Free to residents residing in a community served by a UHLS library.

All ages eligible. Youth under age 16 must have their application completed and signed by a parent or guardian, who provides acceptable identification for them.

UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.

Card blocked at $5 or more in replacement costs or fines/fees

Fines vary according to individual library rules and UHLS resource sharing rules. The EGRN Table of Fines and Fees are applicable for items which are checked out from the East Greenbush Community Library

The UHLS MyCard is a fine-free, limited-access library card for youth. It is intended to address multiple barriers to serving youth and families, including:

  • Barriers to access related to fines (e.g. computer access, checking out materials)
  • Parents not present for a child’s library card registration
  • Previous fines on a child’s card

Free for youth residing in a community served by a UHLS library.Applicants 18 and under who are applying for a limited use, UHLS Youth Only MyCard, need to provide name, address, and date of birth.UHLS library cards expire and must be renewed every three years.Youth ages birth to 18 can register unaccompanied, or with the help of a caregiver or relative who is not the child’s parent/guardian.This card may be used at all UHLS Libraries except for the Colonie Town Library.

Card blocked at $10 or more in replacement costs.

No fines for late items

Limits on # of Materials Borrowed Unlimited checkouts Unlimited checkouts Limited total items: Can only have 3 items checked out on their card at a time
Types of Items All eligible item types. All eligible item types except Museum Passes, ILL, and Hot off the Press. Active paid members of the Friends of the East Greenbush Community Library have access to all lending collections. Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Databases/Digital Content EGRN and UHLS subscription databases and digital content UHLS subscription databases and digital content Only items eligible to be borrowed are books (any age level), juvenile and young adult (teen) audiobooks, and juvenile and young adult (teen) DVDs.
Interlibrary Loan Nationwide UHLS Libraries UHLS Libraries
Program Registration Unlimited except by limited program capacity Preference given to resident cardholders Preference given to resident cardholders