How do I create a username?

 You do not need an account to use the catalog for finding books, movies, music and other resources. The improved searching and browsing features, and the content added by other users, are all at your fingertips right away.

To see your borrowing record, place holds, or renew, you must register your account and create a username.  This is used as your alias or screen name that identifies your comments and public lists to other users.  It only takes a few minutes to register.

1. Click on the 'Log In' link at the top right of the screen.
2. The first time you log in you need to enter your library card number and PIN.  
3. You will then be prompted to create a new account.  
4. Create a username* that is unique and protects your identity. Use a name that is easy to remember and that does not contain personal information such as your e-mail address or last name. This "screen alias" will appear on any comments, reviews or lists that you create.
5. Enter your email address. Entering an email address enables Bibliocommons to email your password if you have forgotten it.
6. Read and accept the "Terms of Use."   
7. Click the "Register" button.

You can use your username or library card number to log in from now on.

After registering, you can take full advantage of the new catalog’s features. Write reviews, tag and rate items, create lists that you recommend to other users, and even follow other users who have similar interests.

When you begin to use the catalog, click on the 'Log In' link at the top right of the screen. You will be prompted for your library card number and PIN number to register. Registering allows you 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, contribute ratings and reviews, and communicate electronically with your library and other users.

You can use your real name or create a unique username, but we recommend you create a username. Keep in mind that when you add comments or summaries to titles you’ve borrowed, your name will appear next to the comment and be visible to other members.

Your username must be unique, but otherwise you have a great deal of flexibility when you create a username. The name can be up to 24 characters long, and you can use any combination of letters and numbers, as well as underscores ( _ ). YYou cannot use spaces or other non-alphanumeric characters. The best username is one that is easy for you to remember. You can continue to use your barcode number as a username, although since it will display next to your personalized comments we do not recommend that. You can continue to use either your username or barcode to log in. You can change your username at any time. Keep in mind that any content you added previously will show your new username.

The login/password you use in the new catalog is the same as the login/password in the old catalog. If you change your PIN and log in using the old system, you'll need to use your new PIN in the new catalog.

If you're logging in for the first time, you'll need your library card number or barcode, and your PIN. The barcode is the number on the back of your library card. Your PIN is patron. If you've already logged in successfully to the new catalog, you have a username, so you can log in with either the username or barcode. If you forget your username, log in with your library card number and click the 'Account Settings' link to see your user name.

*Your child under 13 cannot type in a username when registering. In the United States, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act requires web sites that collect personal information from children to obtain parental consent. For this reason, children under 13 are not allowed to display their real names, nor can they type their own usernames, enter comments, or add other kinds of content that require typing, since these could be used inappropriately. To generate a username, a child can select a combination of color and animal name.

Page last updated on: March 1, 2011