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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • FAQ’s
    • Services & Policies
    • Board Meeting Minutes
  • Borrow
    • Get a Library Card
    • Library of Things
    • Download eBooks & Audiobooks
    • Hoopla
    • Kids & Teens
    • Mobile Print
  • Calendar
  • Donate
   Login / My Account

Getting Started with the New Catalog

New Catalog F.A.Q. Welcome to your new library catalog! The new online catalog has smart search features and intuitive filters to assist you in finding exactly what you are looking for. You can place holds and the catalog will make suggestions for similar titles you might like. Scrolling lists introduce you to books that you may never have thought of reading. Welcome!
Getting started. 1. Why do I need to register? Registration allows you to create an easy-to-remember username you can use to log in, so you don't have to type your barcode every time you want to check your account. Registration also allows you to get personalized recommendations and contribute ratings and reviews. You must have an active Coleman Area Library card to register for an account on the new catalog. 2. Why do I need to create a username. I already have my barcode memorized. You can log in with your username or library car number. The reason we require all users to select a unique username is because the new catalog has additional features that personalize your experience. In the new catalog, you are able to comment on books and keep track of your reading. To support these features, we need all users to create a username. 3. Why can't my child enter a username? In the United States, children under 13 are not allowed to enter free-text on websites without parental approval. Currently, we do not have an option to ensure parental approval, so we came up with the color/animal/number format for usernames. Once a child turns 13, he or she will be able to select a username. 4. How do I unregister? I don't want to use this third party service anymore. Please give us your username and library card number, and we will take care of the rest. We will notify you when the task is complete.
Searching. 5. How can I find what I want to borrow? The easiest way to search the library catalog is to type one or more words into the search box at the top of the page and then click the Search button (the magnifying glass icon). The search results include items with all of the search terms in either the title or author fields, or in headings and tags. If you know the author or some words in the title, you can restrict your search by selecting Author or Title from the dropdown list. You can also search the Subject or Tag. 6. How can I filter my search results? If you are viewing a long list of search results, you can filter them using the clickable headings of the left side of the screen. For example, if you want to see biographies that are in audiobook format, you can select those filters to narrow your search results. 7. What if I don't see the item I want? Click on "Didn't find what you're looking for?" for links to our ebook services. If you still cannot find the item, then it is not available through this catalog. Holds can also be placed through the Michigan eLibrary Catalog (MeL), which grants you access to materials from across the state. MeL holds can be placed at MeL.org or through a staff member.
Placing Requests. 8. How do I place a request? If you are logged in to your library account, click the Place Hold button. You can place a hold on an item if an item is not currently available at the Coleman Area Library or if you would like us to pull an available item from our shelf and have it ready for you. 9. How can I tell if an item is checked in? Items that say "Available" are checked in and immediately available at one or more of our member libraries. It does not mean that a copy of the item is available at the Coleman Area Library. When you click "View Item Availability," you will see which libraries own the item and its status at each library listed. New books that are "available" at other member libraries will not be requestable until they are no longer new. 10. The catalog says the item I want is checked in, but I cannot request it. Why? We share a catalog system with other member libraries. In many cases, you will be able to request items from out-of-town libraries. Unfortunately, not every item can be requested from these other libraries. This is especially true with new items. If you run into any problems and have questions, please let us know.
Renewing. 11. How do I renew items? There are two ways you can renew items. 1. Point to the My Library tab and then click Check Out. Or 2. Click the My Library tab and then click Next Due or Total Items under Checked Out. Once you are on your checked out page, use the checkboxes to select the desired titles and then click renew. 12. What happened to renew all? We hope to have this functionality again. In the meantime, you can select all the items on your first page by clicking "Select 1-25" and clicking "Renew." If you have more than 25 items checked out, go to the second page of items and repeat the process. 13. What happened to my lists? The titles you saved in our old catalog's "My List" option were not lost. You will eventually be able to import all the items from your wish list onto your "For Later" shelf. This is a one-time process, and it will not be available during the catalog preview. Once the new catalog is officially released, you will see an Import button to bring in your wish lists from the old catalog. At that time, you can move items to other shelves or lists as desired.
General info. 1. Why did you change the catalog? We want to provide the best services possible to our community. The new catalog is better at searching, provides the option for users to keep track of their reading, and allows users to discover titles in new ways. Our intent is that the new catalog is more user-friendly and personalized. 15. Can I still get a basic catalog experience? Please rest assured that all of the features in our new catalog are optional. While beneficial to many, the changes can be overwhelming. If you only want to use the catalog to place holds and renew your checked out titles, you can do that and ignore all the new features. 16. Will my privacy be respected? The library values protecting the privacy of its patrons. The only information that is shared with others is information you choose to share. If you choose to add titles to your virtual shelves or lists, or if you share ratings, you have the option to allow those items to be shared with others. All of your personal account information is kept private. Privacy settings can be controlled by you. 17. How are patron comments monitored? In the new catalog, patrons have the opportunity to leave comments. There is a community moderation model in place. If you see something inappropriate, you can click the "Report This" link. When three separate users report something, the comment is removed and reviewed against the Terms of Use of the catalog.
Welcome to our new catalog! https://col.bibliocommons.com/
2. Click on Log In / Register. Image shows "log in / register" button in drop down menu under "Log In / My Library" button.
3. This screen will pop up. Put in your library card number and your PIN (your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number.)
4. Next, click "Log In." Image shows blue "Log In" button highlighted in red at bottom of screen.
5. This will pop up. Click on "Continue to Account Setup." Image shows blue "Continue to Account Setup" button highlighted in red at bottom right.
6. This will pop up. Your first and last name will show up automatically. Just put in your email address and date of birth.
7. When you are all done putting that information in, click "Continue." Image shows account setup screen with "Continue" button highlighted in red at the bottom right.
8. It will ask you to make a username. You can make your username anything you want, just NOT your library card number! Image shows the "My Account Setup" screen.
9. After you have made a username, click on "Complete Account Setup." Image shows blue "Complete Account Setup" button highlighted in red.
10. It will show you what you picked as your username. Click on "Continue to my Account." Image shows blue "Continue my Account" button highlighted in red.
11. The home screen will pop back up and you are now able to browse our catalog, request books, and more! Image shows home page of Coleman Area Library's catalog.

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Coleman Area Library

111 First St.

Coleman, MI 48618

Phone: (989) 465-6398

Fax: (989) 465-1861

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