Library Catalog & Website FAQs

  • General Questions

    Yes, you sure can! Our website is mobile-friendly and will resize automatically to fit the size of your screen. 

  • Registering & Logging In

    You can use the library catalog and website without logging in. To access your library account online, you need to log in to the catalog.

    To use the Library's new catalog, there is a one-time registration process. Use your existing library card number (barcode) and PIN (password). Once you register, you can use either your username OR barcode to log in.

    You can use the library catalog and website without logging in. In order to place requests or manage your library account online, you need to complete the one-time registration process.

    Registration 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. It also allows you to use personalized services, such as managing your library account, contributing ratings and reviews, personalized recommendations, and communicating electronically with other users.

    Registration also gives the library and its catalog service provider an opportunity to clearly communicate its Terms of Use and Privacy Statement.

    Everyone will need to register to use their library accounts in the new website and catalog. You’ll be asked to create a username the first time you log in.

    To get started:

    • Click on Log In/My RCL in the upper right-hand corner
    • Enter your library card number and PIN
    • You create a username the first time you sign in and register.

    Your username is the name that will be displayed publicly next to any comments or summaries that you contribute to the site.

    Tutorial

    If you already have a username registered with the Saint Paul Public Library system you will need to use a different username with the Ramsey County Library.

    The Saint Paul Public Library, along with many other library systems, uses the same service provider for their catalog system and usernames must be unique across all libraries.

    To change your username:

    1. If you have not already done so, Log In to your account.
    2. Click on My Account in the upper right, then from the drop-down menu, select the My Settings link.
    3. Using the dropdown list opposite Display in Public, do one of the following:
      1. Click your real name to have that displayed to others, or
      2. Click your username. If you want to change your current username, type a new one in the Username field.
    4. Click the Save button.

    The username created for the catalog will not work for other online resources.

    Use your library card's barcode number (and password or PIN, if necessary) to log in to online resources brought to you by the library like Libby by OverDrive, opens a new window and additional online databases.

  • Searching

    The search box found at the top of every page should provide excellent results for most of your searches.

    For those occasions where you have a particular kind of search in mind, you can use Advanced Search. It has tools that enable you to describe precisely where and how you want to search.

    Find out more about Advanced Search.

    To find items in the catalog:

    • Click on Catalog in the navigation bar on the top left of any page of our site, or Search in the upper right corner of our website. This will display a search box where you can type your search.
    • Type in your word(s) in the search box.
    • Refine your search by using the filter categories that show up on the left to hone in on exactly what you’re looking for.
      • Want to limit to fiction? Click on Content and then click Fiction.
      • Want to see only kids’ materials? Click on Audience, then check Children.

    Learn more about searching the catalog., opens a new window

    If you often search for titles by the same author, or on the same subject, you can save your search and run it again later. This can save you time, especially if you have constructed a complex search strategy.

    To save a search:

    1. Log in , opens a new windowopens a new window to your account. You must be logged in to save a search.
    2. Run your search.
    3. If required, narrow your results by applying facets on the left side of the page.
    4. Click the Save Search link above the search results.
    5. Name the search so you can easily identify it later. If you already have a search by that name, you’ll have the option to choose a new name or overwrite your existing saved search.
    6. Click Save it.

    To run a saved search:

    1. Log in, opens a new window opens a new window to your account.
    2. Clicking Saved Searches , opens a new windowopens a new window under the search box.
    3. Click the search you would like to run again.

    More information about Saving Searches.

  • Lists, Shelves & Other Content

    The library's website offers ways for you to find other people who share your reading, listening, and viewing interests. Here's what you can do if you'd like to connect with other people.

    • Create your profile - Share what you love to read, watch, and listen to. Enter a brief statement about yourself to help others decide if they want to connect with you.
    • Follow others - Follow someone on a specific topic or all of the interests that they choose to share.
    • Send Messages - Send messages to people about books you enjoy or ask for their recommendations.

    If you don't want to follow or share with other people, that's ok! All of this is completely optional. You can make everything you do private, you can ignore specific people, or just simply ignore these features on the website.

    A list is a collection of titles related to a specific topic or idea of your choosing. Read more about lists.

    Shelves let you to keep track of library items you’ve borrowed, or plan to borrow in the future. Read more about shelves.

  • Privacy

    Always private

    • Borrowing information, including items Checked Out, items On Hold, and Fees.
    • Account information (name, address, email, phone)
    • Card number and password/PIN
    • Private notes and personal tags on catalog records

    Always visible

    On catalog records (identified by username only):

    • Comments
    • Quotes
    • Similar Titles
    • Notices
    • Age Suitability
    • Summaries
    • Notices
    • Videos

    If you don’t want your username to show up anywhere, don't add any of these things to a catalog record. 

    Things you can make private

    These items are visible by default, but you have the option to make them private.

    • My Shelves/My Collections – Completed, In Progress, For Later
    • My Lists
    • Activity Feed