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Help with Catalog Searching and Online Accounts
Catalog Searching
Search
Tips
How to Search Just Oak Park Public Library
Online Accounts
How to Login
How to Renew
How to Pay Fines
PINs (Personal Identification Numbers)
Do I have to type my library card (barcode)
number every time I login?
Can I create an online list of books that I
want to read?
How are fines calculated?
Holds
How to Place Holds
How to Cancel Holds
Can I pick up a hold at the Dole Branch or
Maze Branch?
Where am I on the list for an item I requested?
Why can't I request an item I see in the
catalog?
More Frequently Asked
Questions
How to Search Just Oak Park Public Library
There are two methods to search
the catalog (encore and classic catalog) so there are two
ways to narrow your search results to just the Oak Park Public
Library:
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 Encore
In encore you'll see a "Collection" list
and a "Location" list in the left-hand column.
You can click the "+more" link to expand each
list so that you can see Oak Park (also specific Oak Park
locations). Then click on an Oak Park link to see items
in our collection or at one of our locations.
Because the distinction between these two lists has been
lost, they will eventually be combined. But for now you
can try one or both to narrow your search results.
Each time you perform a search you will use an Oak Park
link under "Collection" or "Location"
to refine your search results.
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 Classic
Catalog
In the classic catalog you'll see one search field to
type in and two fields that use drop-down menus. Using
the drop-down menu which defaults to All SWAN Libraries,
select Oak Park (or a specific Oak Park location) from
the alphabetical list.
Your search results will be limited to just items in
the Oak Park Public Library.
Note that additional search results will also be limited
unless you change this again in the drop-down menu.
In the classic catalog, just under these drop-down menus
you will see a check box to "Limit search to on shelf."
This will let you easily browse just what is on the shelves.
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How to Login to Your Account and Renew Items
To check your account and renew items online, open http://swan.mls.lib.il.us
in a new window.
How to Pay Fines
To pay fines online, open http://swan.mls.lib.il.us
in a new browser window.
PINs (Personal Identification Numbers)
Do I have to type my library card (barcode) number every
time I login?
Yes, for now you will need to type in your 14 digit library
card number each time you login to your account. This is on
the list of improvements we have a sent to the system's vendor.
But the browser you use and the browser settings can affect
whether each field of a form "autocompletes."
As some versions of the Firefox browser can remember passwords,
we have found one option that is not an ideal solution (please
note that saving passwords or usernames can be a security risk):
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Using
Firefox:
Using the Firefox Internet browser, open https://swanencore.mls.lib.il.us/iii/cas/login
in a new window.
Click "Tools" and then from that drop-down
menu click "Options."
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Save
Password:
Under the "Security" tab click the check box
next to "Remember passwords for sites."
Note: saving passwords or usernames can be a security
risk.
Then click "Ok."
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 Login:
Enter your name, library card number (barcode number)
and PIN. Click "Login."
The Firefox browser will ask "Do you want Firefox
to remember the password." Click "Remember."
Using the same computer and browser, the next time you
visit https://swanencore.mls.lib.il.us/iii/cas/login
to login to your account, your library card (barcode)
number and PIN will appear.
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Our suggestion for step 3 above is to enter in a false PIN
and then click "Remember." Each time you wish to login
at https://swanencore.mls.lib.il.us/iii/cas/login,
retype the correct PIN.
Can I create an online list of books that I want to read?
Unfortunately, the new system does not have a "My List"
or wishlist that can be saved. You can create a list and then
email it to yourself. But the list will disappear when you log
out. The new system does have a feature called "Reading
History" where you can opt to keep a list of everything
you have borrowed from the Library. We have a sent the system's
vendor a request for patron lists that can be saved.
How are fines calculated?
Each library in the SWAN consortium is able to set fines for
items in their collection. These fine rates vary. For DVDs and
VHS items owned by the Oak Park Public Library, the overdue
fine is $1 a day. For all other items owned by the Oak Park
Public Library, the overdue fine is $.25 a day. The fine rate
for an item from another library may be more or less. Loan periods
vary as well. When you check out items, be aware of each item's
loan period, as it may vary from what you are accustomed to.
Keep in mind these other changes related to the SWAN consortium:
Borrowing privileges are blocked on Oak Park Public Library
cards with $5 or more in fines and fees. Fines accumulate for
a maximum of six weeks an item is overdue.
How to Place Holds
To place holds online, open http://swan.mls.lib.il.us
in a new browser window.
How to Cancel Holds
To cancel holds online, open http://swan.mls.lib.il.us
in a new browser window.
Can I pick up a hold at the Dole Branch or Maze Branch?
Yes. You can request any item, from either the Oak Park
Public Library or another SWAN library, by simply clicking on
the "request" button in the library
catalog. Requests will be sent to your "home library,"
either the Main Library, Dole
Branch Library, or Maze Branch
Library. You no longer have the option to choose between
these three pick up locations for each requested item. Call
or visit the Library if you are not sure which is your "home
library" or if you wish to change your "home library."
Where am I on the list for an item I requested?
You will no longer be able to see your status on the holds request
list. Ranking is irrelevant because of how items are shared
between SWAN libraries and because Oak Park patrons get first
crack at Oak Park items. For example, you could make the 30th
request on an item but you will get the next Oak Park copy that
is returned. Using your online account you can still see items
you have on hold and can now cancel holds directly using your
online account.
Why can't I request an item I see in the catalog?
Each library in SWAN decides on the loan rules for their own
items. While all items appear in the library catalog, some items
(ex., reference or rare items) cannot be checked out and some
items cannot be placed on hold. If the item you want is the
only copy in the library catalog and it cannot be placed on
hold, you have the option of interlibrary loan from libraries
outside of the SWAN consortium. Use our Make
A Request form or call 708-452-3440 to place your interlibrary
loan request.
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