NYPL’s Online Catalog: Frequently Asked Questions

Please review the information below before contacting Ask NYPL. This page will be updated on an ongoing basis. LAST UPDATE: 06/12/2020

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I begin searching the catalog?

  • Click on the search bar

  • After entering your search term select Search the catalog. 

Where do I find out more about an item?

  • Find an item.

  • Scroll to the bottom of the screen to see reviews, annotations and recommendations by Novelist.

How do I request a book?

  • Search for an item.
  • Click the Place Hold button to request the item
  • Indicate where you would like up the item using the drop down menu.

How do I search for an e-book?

  • Search for an item.
  • Refine your search results by selecting e-book from the Format facet.

How do I download a Cloud Library e-book?

  • Click the Check out with Cloud Library and open the e-book in your Cloud Library iOS or Android app.

How do I download an OverDrive e-book?

  • Search for an item.
  • Refine your search results by selecting e-book from the Format facet.
  • Click the Check out with OverDrive button and confirm your checkout.
  • Click the Get e-book button to select your preferred format and open the e-book on your device.

How do I use the book bag?

  • Search the catalog.
  • Select items via the check boxes to the left of the items.
  • Click the icon to place the item in your book bag.  
  • Items in your book bag can be placed on hold, used to create a list, tagged and emailed to yourself and a friend.
  • Note that the book bag only stores items for the duration of your session. If you would like to store items for later, we recommend that you add them to a list.
  • Please note:
    • Items placed in the book bag are there temporarily and are only available during the user's session. Once logged out, the book bag empties.
    • In order to keep a record of these items, move items to a list or send the items via email. These options (place hold, remove record, add tag, email, save to list) appear once you click on My Book Bag.
    • Currently, book bag is not available in the mobile version.

How do I create a new list?

  • Once you have placed items in a book bag click My Book Bag and click the icon to save the items to a list.
  • You can add items to an existing list or create new list using Save to New List link.

How do I find available items at my local branch?

  • Search for an item.
  • Refine your search results by selecting At The Library from the Availability facet.
  • Select your branch location using the Collections facet.
  • See all locations in the Collections facet by clicking the more > link.
  • Click on the branch collection of your choice.

What are community tags?

Catalog entries provide a baseline of information about an item, but tagging allows members of the community to add additional descriptive information to aid in discovery and retrieval. You can: 

  • Add missing subject terms or key themes of books you've read.
  • Tag books for particular age groups or reading levels.
  • Keep track of books discussed in your book club. Just make sure to use a unique tag for your group and add to it as needed.
  • Be creative and come up with your own use for community tags.

How do I add community tags?

To add a tag to a title:

  • Search for the title you want to tag.
  • Choose the Add a Tag icon under Additional actions.
  • If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to do so. After you log in, you will see an Add a tag text box.
  • Enter your tag (or multiple tags separated by commas) in the text box and then choose Submit.
  • Your tag appears as a search term in the Community Tags section of the title's record details within a few minutes.

You can also add titles to your book bag to add tags in batches:

  • Search for the title you want to tag.
  • Add the title or titles to your book cart.
  • Choose View Cart.
  • From the book cart, check the titles to tag. Choose Select All to select all titles in your book cart.
  • Choose the Add Tag icon.
  • If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to do so. After you log in, you will see an Add a tag text box.
  • Enter your tag (or multiple tags separated by commas) in the text box and then choose Submit.
  • Your tag appears as a search term in the Community Tags section of the title's record details within a few minutes.

Where can I find book recommendations?

How do I manage my holds?

  • Log in.
  • Click on your name.
  • Click on My Holds.
  • Select holds to change their pickup locations, to cancel them, or to freeze them, e.g. when you’re planning to go out of town and don’t want the hold to arrive while you’re gone.

How do I sort my checkouts and holds by date?

  • To sort checkouts, Go to My Checkouts, and hover over Sort by Due Date. Hover near the bottom of the button, until the hand symbol appears to show that the link is live. Click the button, and it will automatically sort. 
     
  • To sort holds, go to My Holds, and hover over Sort by Requested Date. Hover near the bottom of the button under the wording. The button will change in shading slightly, indicating that the link is live. Click on the part of the button, the spacing directly under the wording, and it will automatically sort. 

How do I check my holds on my phone or mobile device?

Open your mobile browser and go to https://browse.nypl.org/iii/mobile/. Once there, click the person icon to log into the catalog. 

Mobile header

How can I get alerts about my holds?

  • Once your item is ready for pickup, the Library will notify you. You can indicate your notice preferencesemail or telephonein My Settings.
  • For the most up to date information, please view your account online by logging in.

What does it mean to “freeze” a hold? And how do I unfreeze a hold?

 If you are going on vacation and don’t want your requested item(s) to arrive until after you return, you may freeze them by checking the box next to each title you wish to freeze and clicking the Update Lists  button. You will continue to advance in the queue but your request will not be filled until you unfreeze your holds. To unfreeze them, uncheck the box and click Update Lists. Requests that remain frozen for longer than six months will be automatically cancelled. Note that items cannot be frozen:

  • if a requested item is in transit or on the hold shelf for the requesting patron
  • if a borrower is first in the hold queue and there are available items
  • if there are more available items than holds

Where do I find my lists?

  • Log in.
  • Click on your name.
  • Click My Lists to manage your lists.
  • Note that all lists in the new catalog are private lists.

How do I pay my fees online?

  • Log in, click on your name and then click on Fines/Fees.
  • Click the Pay Online button and follow the instructions in the pop-up.
  • Select to pay all your fees or choose to pay fees for certain items only.
  • Click the Continue button to make a payment using your debit or credit card.
  • Please make sure that your browser allows pop-ups from nypl.org.

How do I change my PIN/ Password?

  • Log in
  • Click on your name
  • Click on the Change PIN/ Password button.
  • A new window will pop up in which you can change your PIN/ Password and click submit to save it.
  • Please make sure that your browser allows pop-ups from nypl.org.

How do I change my username, email, telephone number, preferred pickup location or notice preference?

  • Log in.
  • Click on your name.
  • Click on the My Settings button.
  • A new window will pop up in which you can update your settings and click submit to save them.
  • Please make sure that your browser allows pop-ups from nypl.org.