My EPL Account

How do I register?

Go to the Log In page. The link is at the top-right of the screen. Enter your barcode and PIN or password. If you haven’t registered before, you’ll be taken to the registration page.

Why do I have to register?

Registration is a one-time process that allows you to create an easy-to-remember login name, or username, that you can use instead of your barcode to check your account. If you have a Google or Hotmail account, you already know about usernames. If not, think of a username as your library nickname. Need ideas? Use your initials and your street number (SDK203), your dog’s name, or something about you (Twilightfan), that’s short and easy for you to remember. Remember that the public comments and lists that you post will include your username. Registration is required to take advantage of all of the features of the site, including the ability to manage your renewals and holds, contribute ratings and reviews, and follow others to see what they’re enjoying.

Do I have to provide my birthdate?

No, your birthdate is not required for registration. If the library already has this information on file, it will be shown on the registration page and saved to your account. Your local library may allow you to delete this information after you register. Check with your library about their policy. If the library does not have your birth date on file with your library card, it will not be displayed on the registration page, and you don’t need to provide it if you so choose. But note that if you decide not to provide your birth year and month, the system will assume you are a minor, and for safety reasons, some features will not be available to you. In the United States, minors are not able to send or receive messages, create a username, or write comments. In other jurisdictions, minors cannot send or receive messages.

Do I have to provide my email address?

An email address is optional. It will be used if you forget your PIN/password and request a reset. Your library may also use your email address to send you notifications of items ready for pickup, coming due or overdue.

What if my name or birthdate shown is incorrect?

You should complete the registration online even if the data is incorrect. Please ask a staff member at the circulation desk to update this information the next time you visit the library to ensure the library’s records are accurate.

For additional information about registering and logging in, please see the FAQs.

You can use the site to search the catalog and look for recently acquired and reviewed items. To place a hold, check your account, or use some of the site’s interactive features, you need to first log in.

Logging in requires two things:

• your library card number, or barcode. It is the 7- to 14-digit number on your card.
• your PIN (personal identification number) or password. This will be at least 4 digits. The maximum will depend on the system your library uses. Some libraries use the last 4 digits of your phone number, others use your birthdate, or your postal or ZIP code. Some allow only numbers, while other libraries may permit a combination of letters and numbers.

Once you have registered with the site you can choose to log in with a username you created, rather than your library card number. You may find it easier to remember, especially if you need to access your account when you don’t have your card with you.

► To log in to your account

1. On the menu at the top right, click Log In / Register.
2. On the Log In page, enter your barcode or username, and your PIN/password.
3. Click Log In.

You’ll see the Recent Activity dashboard. If you were in the middle of doing something, such as placing a hold, you’ll return to what you were doing prior to logging in.

Problems Logging In?

Can’t remember your user name? A user name contains only letters, numbers and underscores. If that doesn’t help you remember it, log in using your library card number. Your username is for your convenience. You can always log in with your library card number.

Can’t remember your PIN/password? Depending on the system used by your library, your PIN may be:

• a 4-digit number,
• your birthday, in mmddyyyy format,
• your ZIP or postal code,
• a combination of letters and numbers, of 4 or more characters.

If you can’t remember your PIN, you can reset it. Click the Forgot your PIN? link. You’ll get an email with a link in it that will enable you to create a new PIN.

Still can’t log in? Contact your library.

The My Settings page displays personal information, including your name, barcode, month and year of birth, and library card expiry date. It also provides links to other configurable settings and preferences.

To protect your privacy when viewing this page in a public place, your barcode, name and birth information are hidden. Click display to see the information.

1. Log in to your account.
2. On the menu, click My Settings.

Note: If your name or other personal information displayed is incorrect, contact the library to have it corrected.

You can change other settings and preferences from the My Settings page. Find the setting you want to change and click the Change link next to it. For more information, see:

Account Information

Account Preferences

Privacy Settings

Profile

If you always pick up the items you borrow at the same location, you can configure your account to place holds with a single click. A single-click hold skips the choice of a pickup location and defaults to the same pickup location every time.

► To enable single-click holds

1. Log in to your account.
2. On the menu, click My Settings.
3. On the My Settings page, find the Account Preferences section.
4. Next to Holds and Pickup Locations, click Change.
5. Click the Single-Click Holds setting.
6. Click Save Changes.

Note: You can also enable Single-click holds from your On Hold page, and when you place a hold.

Changing Your Pickup Location

After you enable single-click holds, you can still change your default pickup location.

► To change your default pickup location

1. Log in to your account.
2. On the menu, click My Settings.
3. On the My Settings page, find the Account Preferences section.
4. Your current default pickup location is shown under Holds and Pickup Locations. Click Change to choose a new one.
5. Choose a new pickup location from the dropdown list.
6. Click Save Changes.