Frequently Asked Questions About the Library Catalog

What is My Password

Your password defaults to the last four digits of your phone number unless you request a change through library staff or do it yourself online. To change your password online you need to access your patron account with your library account number and current password to set a new password.  You can set a password or change it once you access your patron account. Follow these steps to set a new password.

1. Click Patron Account on the menu bar on the library catalog page , and log in.
   The My Record page is displayed.
2. Click Change Password to display the Change Password form.
3. Type your current password in the Old Password box.
4. Type the new password in the New Password box, according to the following rules and guidelines:
   • The password must be a minimum of 4 characters and a maximum of 16.
   • You can use letters and numbers, but not special keyboard characters.
   • Polaris does not distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters.
5. Type the new password again in the Verification box.
6. Click [SUBMIT].

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How do I renew Something? 

1. Click Patron Account on the menu bar, and log in.

2. Click Items Out on the Patron Account submenu to display the list of your current checked-out items.

   The Items Out page displays the format, call number, "owning" library branch, due date, and number of renewals left for each checked-out item. (For a list identifying format icons, see "Format icons".)

3. To view details about an item, click next to the item you want to view.
   The details view is displayed.
4. Click Back to return to the Items Out display.
5. To renew one or more items, do one of the following actions:
   • Select the check box by the title for each request that you want to renew, and click Renew selected items.
   • Click Renew all items to renew all the items.
     Note:
     Some items may be limited to a specific number of renewals. This number displays in the Renewals left column.
6. A message informs you which items have been renewed, and whether any renewals have been blocked. If you receive a message that a renewal has been blocked, and you have further questions about your account or the item, contact a library staff member.
7. To quit Patron Access functions and protect your privacy, click Log Out.

How do I request items from another branch?

Follow these steps to request any copy of a title listed in your search results. (For more information about launching a search and viewing the results, refer to "Basic Searching" from the help menu on the library catalog page.)

Note:
You can view local and system availability information for any title in your search results list by clicking Availability.

1. Navigate the search results list to the title you want.
2. Click Place Request. (The login form appears)
3. Type your barcode number (entire number with no spaces) and password in the appropriate boxes.

   Note:  If  you have already logged in, the Barcode Number and Password fields are already filled in.

4. Select, from the Pickup Library list, the name of the library where you want to pick up the requested item. The library where you  registered defaults as your pickup library.
5. If you want to activate your request at a future time, type the date in the Activation Date box in the format mm/dd/year (for example, 02/05/2005 for February 5, 2005).

   If you want your request to be active immediately, leave today's date in the Activation Date box.

6. If you want to add a note to your request, type the text in the Note box.
7. Click [SUBMIT_REQUEST].
   If other requests are active for the same title, a message tells you how many requests have been placed before yours. You can choose to continue or cancel the request. If you click [CONTINUE], a message informs you that your request has been placed.

   Note:
   Your request may not be successful if your patron account is blocked or if the requested material does not circulate. A message is displayed if your request cannot be placed.

8. Click  X to close the request form and return to the search results.
   Important:
   Protect your privacy. If you see in the menu bar, you are logged in. Be sure to click to log out before you leave the computer.

How do I find a list of videos and DVD's available for loan?

           The North Olympic Library System owns thousands of video titles making a browsing lists difficult to review.  The Polaris Catalog does not provide a unique lists of videos for browsing and limits displays of search results to 1000 titles.  A list of recently added titles including videos and DVD's added within the previous 30 days is available from a "dashboard" link on the left column of the catalog start page. Currently the library system has a small collection of DVD's and unlike videos may realistically be browsed without using the search limiting option described below.

    Search limiting is one method of viewing a limited number of titles in the catalog by using the  Keyword Search method of searching.

1. Click the arrow symbol in the Limit by box, and select an DVD, Videotape or Videorecording from the list. (Choosing videorecordings will give you both DVD's and Video tapes.)
2. To limit by to a date range, click on Open Search Options
3. Select the years you wish (holding down the Control key while clicking on the date will allow you to select multiple years.
4. You may limit the Target Audience by clicking on the desired option, or exclude that group by selecting that group and checking the exclude box.
5. Click on the Set Search Options button near the top of the screen
6. In the Keyword Search Box an *   which will search for all items of the selected format.
7. Click on GO! to begin the search.

Sample

How do I find a list of audio books?    

The North Olympic Library System owns thousands of Audio Book titles making a browsing lists difficult to review.  The Polaris Catalog does not provide a unique lists of these for browsing and limits displays of search results to 1000 titles. 

    Search limiting is one method of viewing a limited number of titles in the catalog by using the  Keyword Search  method of searching.

1. Click the arrow symbol in the Limit by box, and select an Nonmusical Recording from the list.
2. To limit by to a date range, click on Open Search Options
3. Select the years you wish (holding down the Control key while clicking on the date will allow you to select multiple years.
4. You may limit the Target Audience by clicking on the desired option, or exclude that group by selecting that group and checking the exclude box.
5. Click on the Set Search Options button near the top of the screen
6. In the Keyword Search Box an *   which will search for all items of the selected format.
7. Click on GO! to begin the search.

Sample:

How do I find out what is checked out on my card?

Follow these steps to see information about the items you have checked out from the library, when they are due and to renew items.

1. Click Patron Account on the menu bar, and log in.
2. Click Items Out on the Patron Account submenu to display the list of your current checked-out items.
   The Items Out page displays the format, call number, "owning" library branch, due date, and number of renewals left for each checked-out item.
3. To view details about an item, click  next to the item you want to view. (The details view is displayed.)
4. Click Back to return to the Items Out display.
5. To renew one or more items, do one of the following actions:

   • Select the check box by the title for each request that you want to renew, and click Renew selected items.
   • Click Renew all items to renew all the items.
     Note:  Some items may be limited to a specific number of renewals. This number displays in the Renewals left column.
     A message informs you which items have been renewed, and whether any renewals have been blocked. If you receive a message that a renewal has been blocked, and you have further questions about your account or the item, contact a library staff member.

What are my fines?

Follow these steps to view your fines and fees information.

1. Click Patron Account on the menu bar, and log in.
2. Click Fines & Fees on the Patron Account submenu to display the list of your charges.
3. To view details about an item, click for the item you want to view. (The details view is displayed.)
4. Click Back to return to the Fines & Fees display.

How do I check on the status of a request? (Where am I in the request line?)

 Follow these steps to view information about your requests and to cancel them, if necessary.

1. Click Patron Account on the menu bar, and log in.

2. Click Requests on the Patron Account submenu to display the list of your current requests.

3. To suspend or reactivate one or more requests, and specify the date to reactivate them, do these steps:

   1. Select the check box by the title for each request that you want to suspend or reactivate, and click Suspend/Reactivate Selected Requests (or click Suspend/Reactivate All Requests to suspend or reactivate all your requests).

      Note:
      You can suspend requests within the library system with the status Active, or Pending. You can reactivate requests with the status Inactive. You cannot suspend interlibrary loan requests.

   The Suspend/Reactivate Hold Requests dialog box appears.

   1. Type the date when suspended requests should be reactivated, or type today's date to reactivate an inactive request.

      Type the activation date in the format mm/dd/year (for example,
      02/05/2005 for February 5, 2005).

   2. Click Submit.

      Active and Pending requests become Inactive. Inactive requests become Active.

4. To cancel one or more requests, do one of the following actions:
   • Select the check box by the title for each request that you want to cancel, and click Cancel Selected Requests.
   •  Click Cancel All Requests to cancel all your requests.

   Note:
   You can cancel requests within the library system with the status Active, Inactive, or Pending. You can cancel interlibrary loan requests with the status Active or Inactive

   How do I submit an Interlibrary Loan Request? 

An Interlibrary Loan request may be made at the reference or checkout desks of all four North Olympic Library System Branches. Items published within the last year will not be Interlibrary loaned but may be considered for purchase by NOLS. Loan period and cost depends on the loaning library, NOLS does not charge a fee for this service.

 How do I request a book not in the catalog?

Books and other materials you don’t find listed in the catalog may still be requested. You may suggest that we purchase the item to add to the library collection or borrow the item from a library outside of the North Olympic Library System through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Please contact your local librarian for more information.

For more detail on how items are selected for the collection please view the Collection Management Policy.

Where are the Best Seller and New Title Lists

New Books,  New Videos and DVDs,  New Sound Recordings and New Large Type additions are available through the Catalog home page on the "dashboard" link on the left column of the start page. 

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How can I change my notices to come by phone rather than mail?

To change your method of notification you need to visit or contact your local branch.

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How Do I Access My Patron Account?

You can use the Polaris Library Catalog to create a library account, view and update your library account details, change your password, maintain and view a reading history, check your requests for materials, view or renew items you have checked out, and check fines and fees.  Click on the Patron Account link at the top of the library catalog page.

sample:

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This page last revised August 11, 2008

Contacts: Reference Services, Children's Services, Outreach to the Homebound,
Port Angeles Branch, Sequim Branch, Forks Branch, Clallam Bay Branch,
NOLS Administration

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