How to use the Library’s Online Resources and Services

How to search the Library Catalog

Use the quick link for library catalog on the homepage or use the link on the programs and services page. The Carnegie Public Library page of the Montana Shared Catalog will appear. Enter your search term(s) and search by words or phrase, author, title, subject, series or periodical title by clicking the appropriate blue button.

A list of results will appear, indicating the title, location and availability of items. Click on the red button for Full Details about an item, including the Dewey call number, cataloging information, and whether the item is available or checked out.

How to place a hold on an item

If you want the library to hold an item for you, please call us at 932-5608 or stop by the library. Holds may be placed for on-shelf items or items that are checked out. The library will contact you when the item is available. Items will be held for 48 hours unless other arrangements are made.

How to access your library account

You can review your library account, update personal information, and renew your library books online. In the upper left hand corner of the catalog page, enter your library card number. For a PIN, enter the word changeme and click on the blue button to login to your library account. From here, you can browse the new book list and click on the link for My Library Account to review your library account, renew books, and create your own PIN. Remember that most items can only be renewed once, and an item cannot be renewed if another patron has a hold on it.

You can use the Quick Link on the library homepage to renew materials, too. You will need your library card number and your PIN.

How to make an interlibrary loan request

If the library doesn’t have the item you are looking for, you can ask us to order it from another library for you. Interlibrary loan requests can be made in person, or by phone 932-5608.. You will be notified when your item is received at the library. Please remember that there is a $3.00 fee each book received.

How to use the library databases

The library subscribes to three online databases that can be accessed on the library computers or by remote access on library cardholders’ computers at home. These include the InfoTrac magazine database, the Ebsco Auto Repair database, and the OCLC FirstSearch bibliographic database.

The InfoTrac magazine database provides access to thousands of archived magazine articles, reference materials, a newspaper index, reader’s advisory index, and special collections for business, health, kids and more. To use Infotrac, click on the link, then choose a collection to search (there are 22 collections and you will need to scroll down the page to see them all). You can view a list of titles in the collections and select search options from the blue sidebar at left. If you need the full text of an article, make sure to check the box under “Limit the current search” that says “to articles with text”. Try using the “view linked documents” feature in each record to search for similar items. Articles can be printed or e-mailed.

To use the Ebsco Auto Repair database, click on the link and enter your password. Select the vehicle year, make and model to access repair procedures and wiring diagrams. Call the library for password information to login.

The OCLC FirstSearch database provides access to the Montana Library Network catalog of materials in Montana libraries and the WorldCat catalog of materials in libraries worldwide. Use basic or advanced search to find items of all types, including books, articles, electronic resources, audio/visual resources and more. If you find an item that you want from another library, it can be ordered through interlibrary loan.

If you need further assistance using the library’s online resources, or you would like a hands-on demonstration, please call or come into the library anytime.