Logging in to Your Account

From your CountyCat account you can search the catalog, create preferred searches, view holds, checked out items, fines and modify your personal contact information.

To login, click here and enter the barcode number found on the back of your library card and your Personal Identification Number (or PIN). If you do not have a PIN, enter your barcode number and hit the "Submit" button. You will be prompted to enter a new PIN.

If you encounter problems logging in with Internet Explorer, you may need to disable the Content Advisor feature.

Renewing Items

Library users can renew library materials online through your patron account or by telephone (277-0183).

Are All Materials on CountyCat Renewable?

No. Most library materials that circulate for three weeks may be renewed one time for up to an additional three weeks. A few, rare, exceptions may apply even for three week materials, such as holiday books (which may be unrenewable at holiday time). Also, items on hold for other patrons will not renew. Some libraries in the system also allow a one time renewal on seven day materials. This policy varies from library to library. Contact your local library if you have questions regarding the renewal policy for seven day materials at your library. Three day materials are not renewable anywhere.

Renew items through your patron account

You can renew materials in the comfort and convenience of your home/office and/or online at the library. However, if you owe too much money, your library card has expired, it is too soon to renew the material, or you have already renewed the material once you will not be able to use this service. Eligible three week material can be renewed from 7 days before the due date. Eligible seven day material can be renewed 3 days before the due date. Whenever you renew, you will be given an additional loan period equal to the original loan period. You can renew materials online if they are overdue, but any fines accrued will be added to your record.

From within your patron account:

1. Click on the Checked Out Items button.
2. You may wish to click on the Sort by Due Date button to show which items are due the soonest.
3. You will see a list of your currently checked out items and their due dates.
4. Click in the boxes to the left of the titles that you want to renew. Checkmarks will appear in all of the boxes that you click in.
5. Click on the "Renew Selected Items" button.
6. The STATUS for all of the renewed items will say "RENEWED Now due ___DATE___" . The new due date will be three weeks from the day that you renew the item, not three weeks from the original due date.
7. You can renew some items that are overdue. This will stop fines from accruing.

There are many reasons why an item may not be renewed, including :

1. Too many renewals. You have already renewed this material previously
2. Item is not eligible for renewal
3. You are trying to renew the material too soon.
4. Another patron has a hold on the item.
5. The item is overdue, and can't be renewed.

Patron Self-Renewal by Telephone - (277-0183)

In order to be able to use the Telephone Renewal System, you must have a touchtone phone. Have with you your library barcode as well as the barcodes of the items you wish to renew. Follow the voice prompts to renew items.

If the item barcode you entered is for an eligible item the system will tell you that barcode has been renewed. The new due date will be spoken for you.

If you are not allowed a renewal for a particular item, the system will tell you that barcode cannot be renewed at this time. Please contact the library. There are many reasons why an item may not be renewed, including :

1. Too many renewals. You have already renewed this material previously
2. Item is not eligible for renewal
3. You are trying to renew the material too soon.
4. Another patron has a hold on the item.
5. The item is overdue, and can't be renewed.

Managing your Holds

CountyCat affords you a variety of options for managing your holds (also called "requests"). From within your account, click on the Requests button to view your holds.

It is important to remember that after making any modifications to your holds list you must click on the button Update Selected Items in order for any changes to take place.

Cancel All or Cancel Selected Holds

You may cancel all holds or only those holds you wish to select from your list:

• To cancel all holds, select the Cancel All button. You will be asked to confirm your cancellation--once confirmed your holds will be erased and not recoverable.
• To cancel selected holds, use the check boxes on the left hand side of each hold to mark it for cancellation. Once you have selected the holds you wish to cancel, click on the Update Selected Items button--this will remove those holds from your list. Again, once you update your list, your holds will not be recoverable.

Freezing your Holds

If you are leaving for an extended period, or if you simply wish to better manage when your holds come in, you can freeze your holds. If you reach the top of the waiting list while your hold is frozen, the next available copy will be sent to the next person in the waiting list. The library will continue to send available items to the next waiting patron until you choose to re-activate your request.

Note: You will not be able to freeze any request if an item is already in transit to fulfill your hold request, or if the item is showing a status of "Ready."

• Find the column labeled Freeze at the far right of your list of holds.
• For each request you wish to freeze, click in the checkbox in this column.
• Click on the Update Selected Items button to save your changes.
• Holds that have been successfully frozen will show a checkmark in the Freeze column and be grayed out as shown below.

To reactivate your frozen hold:

• Click in the Freeze column checkbox for the request you wish to re-activate. This should remove the checkmark from the checkbox.
• Do this for any additional holds you wish to reactivate.
• Click on the Update Selected Items button to save your changes.
  

Paying Fees and Fines Online

CountyCat now allows you to pay your library fees or fines online with a credit card any time that you want from any location with internet access. Here are step by step instructions on how to pay your fines online:

Step by Step Online Fine Payment (pdf file)

Online Fine Payment FAQ

What forms of payment are accepted?

Currently you can pay for fines using any MasterCard or Visa credit or check cards.

Will I receive a receipt for online payments?

Yes, if you enter an email address in the online payment form, your receipt will be emailed to you with a subject line of “Receipt for Payment to Your Library”. You can also print a receipt if the PC you are using is connected to a printer.

Who will be the merchant listed on my credit card statement for online payment?

The merchant on your credit card statement will be “MILW CO FED LIB SYS”, not the name of your local library.

What do I need to do to get a refund?

Refunds for any lost items paid online will be issued by the library that owns the item. Please contact the owning library if you need a refund.

Do you keep any of my financial information on CountyCat?

No financial information (such as credit card numbers) is kept on the CountyCat server. Please review our privacy policy for more information.

I am getting an error message denying my payment. What's happening?

In most cases, an error message indicates the data entered into the form (like credit card number, security code or address) is incorrect or does not match information provided by your financial institution in the transaction process. Contact your financial institution if you believe the information is being entered correctly.

Preferred Searches

A preferred search is a feature that allows you to stay informed about new materials added to CountyCat. For example, you can select to be notified by e-mail when a new book by your favorite author comes in. A preferred search can be for an author, a subject, or even a keyword.

To Create a Preferred Search List:

1. Log in to your CountyCat account.
2. Choose the Search Catalog button.
3. Perform your search. For example, if you wish to be notified about new books by a preferred author, select Author in either the drop-down menu or the "Author" link in CountyCat Help. Type the author's name in the search box and click the Submit button.
4. Click the Save as Preferred Search button (shown below).
   
   
   
   
5. Now at the top of the page, select Return to Your Record.
6. Select Preferred Searches.
7. Click in the check box below the Mark for Email column.
8. Click the Update Selected Items button. If CountyCat receives a new title by your Preferred Search author (or new items according to what you entered as your Preferred Search), you will receive an e-mail message. Messages are sent out weekly on Monday mornings.

My Reading History

Reading History FAQ

How do I "opt in" for My Reading History?

In your CountyCat account, click the "My Reading History" link. Click on the Opt In to Save Reading History button to begin tracking your reading history from that moment forward. Reading History includes the title, author, date checked out, and copy number for each item.

Once I opt-in to My Reading History, are current checkouts recorded, or only checkouts from that moment forward?

Only checkouts from that moment forward.

What are the implications for My Reading History in terms of confidentiality and the PATRIOT Act?

Library users need to be aware that using My Reading History means this information is being stored on the CountyCat server. Staff will not have access to this information. However, if we are served with a subpoena, Reading History information might have to be surrendered to law enforcement officials. If this is of concern to you, you may not want to opt in to the reading history feature.

The Milwaukee County Federated Library System adheres to all regulations regarding library user confidentiality as laid out in Section 43.30 of the State of Wisconsin Statutes. Click here for more details.

Once I have "opted in" to My Reading History, may I opt out at some future point?

Yes. Once a you have opted in, the button changes to "opt out." All you have to do in order to disable My Reading History is delete all entries and then click the Opt Out of Reading History button.

May I delete parts of my Reading History, or must the entire history be retained?

You may delete all or part of your Reading History by checking specific items and clicking the "delete" button.

Using Library ELF

If you would like more flexibility in your notifications from the library, try Library ELF. Library ELF will send email or SMS alerts to an email address or mobile device on a flexible time schedule. Library ELF is a free, third party service which requires you to submit your barcode number and PIN. Email and text messages alerts are provided as a courtesy by JANDI Enterprises Inc. who produces the ELf software. JANDI Enterprises Inc. and the Milwaukee County Federated Library System or its members are not responsible for any fines, fees or charges as a result of direct or indirect use of Library ELF. You use Library ELF at your own option and risk. Please read Library ELF's privacy policy and FAQ before signing up for the service.

Sign Up for Library ELF

Renewing Your Library Card

You can renew your library card at any library within Milwaukee County. Bring in two forms of ID, one with your legal name and one with your legal name and address to confirm your Milwaukee County residence address.

Examples of acceptable Name ID

• Valid Driver’s license or state ID
• Current Student Picture ID
• Current Military ID
• Valid Wisconsin License which includes physical characteristics, such as a fishing or hunting license
• Passport
• Birth Certificate
• Signed Social Security Card
• Current Employment Picture ID

Examples of acceptable Name and Address ID

• Valid Driver’s license
• A valid and current rental lease agreement with your name and address. No handwritten receipts
• Postmarked mail received at your home within the last 30 days. No window envelopes, junk mail or magazines
• Utility bills (gas, electric, cable and telephone) mailed to you within the last month.
• Recent report card from school
• Current school schedule with address
• Current insurance card with name and address
• Recent paycheck stub with name and address
• Pre-printed personal Checks (with your checkbook)
• Vehicle Registration