How do I...?
- Connect to the catalog.
- At the top of the screen, type in your library card barcode number (no spaces).
- Type in your PIN. (How do I get a PIN?)
- Click on "My Account" from the toolbar near the top of the screen.
- Click on the "Review My Account" option under the "My Account" bar.
"My Account" displays account information about the library card number currently logged in. This screen lists items that are checked out, titles you have requested(holds), and fines or fees due. From this screen, you can also cancel requests (holds).
You can obtain a library card from any Anoka County Library! Anoka County Library (ACL) cards are free to residents of Anoka County. The name of a parent or guardian is required for children under 18. You may use your ACL card at any MELSA library in the Twin Cities area as well as other public libraries in Minnesota.
You are responsible for all materials borrowed with your card. Report a lost, stolen or damaged card immediately to protect your record. Replacement cards are available for $2.00. Please notify ACL of changes in name, address or phone number. Your record will be updated without charge.
- Connect to the Catalog.
- Login by typing your library card number (no spaces) and PIN at the top of the page.
- Click on "My Account".
- Click the "Renew My Materials" link.
- Select items by checking the box next to the items to be renewed. Select all items by choosing the "Renew All" option.
- Click on "Renew Items."
- Click on "OK" when the renewal has been verified.
Note: If items cannot be renewed a message will display letting you know that the item was not renewed.
Or, call the Library Renewal and Information line at 763-717-3261, choose option 5.
- Connect to the catalog.
- Login by entering your library card barcode (no spaces) and PIN number at the top of the page.
- Search for the materials to be requested.
- From the list of "hits" select the title you want by clicking on "Place Hold " button or "details" for further information about the title. If your search results in only one "hit" you will skip this step.
- While viewing the title details, you can also place a hold by clicking on the "Place Hold" option on the left side of the page.
- Select the library from which you would like to pick up the material.
- Click on "Place Hold"
- Click on "OK" after your hold request has been verified.
- Expiration and suspension dates are optional and can be left blank.
- You will be notified when your request is available for pickup.
- To get back to your list of "hits" click on "Go Back" on the toolbar.
If you need a PIN or if you have fogotten your PIN: Complete the "Contact Us " form in the library catalog under "Contact Us ". Please include your name, address, library card number, email address and desired PIN. Your PIN may be up to 10 alphanumeric characters. (ex: 1234, abc123)
If you need to change your PIN:
- Connect to the catalog.
- Login by typing your library card number (no spaces) and current PIN at the top of the page.
- Click on "My Account".
- Select the "User PIN Change" option.
- Enter the new PIN of your choice. Your PIN may be up to 10 alphanumeric characters. (ex: 1234, abc123)
- Re-enter the same PIN for verification purposes.
- Press the "Enter" key or click on the "Change PIN" button.
- Click "OK" when your PIN change has been verified.
... Sign up for email notices or change my email address?
- Connect to the catalog.
- Login by entering your library card number (no spaces) and PIN at the top of the page.
- Click on "My Account".
- Select "Add/Change your email address".
- Enter your email address and library card barcode number.
- Click on "send".
Note:
- Your e-mail address will be used to notify you when:
•a requested item is being held for you
•you have materials that will be due in 3 days
•you have materials that are overdue - Please use an e-mail address that you check on a regular basis. E-mail notices contain information that is time sensitive.
- Your request will be registered in our database within 2-3 business days.
- The address will need to be entered and verified again in 2 years.
You may also sign up for email notification at any Anoka County Library location.
The email you receive from the library will come from an email address that:
displays: Anoka_County_Library
email address is: sirsi@magellan.sirsi.net
Phone us at 763-717-3267 (option 1) for a reference librarian at the Northtown Library in Blaine. Call us for any book, DVD, CD, periodical or information need including how to use our Catalog and Online Resources.
Email us at aclref@co.anoka.mn.us . Please include your library card barcode so we can request materials for you. A reference librarian from the Northtown Library in Blaine will reply and, whenever possible, email you the requested information as an Adobe document.
Visit a librarian: Find your nearest Anoka County Library.
... Suggest a book for the library to buy?
For newer (published in the current or previous year) or forthcoming titles, please fill out the Anoka County Library Purchase Suggestion form located in the Catalog under "Contact Us."
Your suggestion will be forwarded to the selector assigned to the specific subject area of our collection for possible purchase. In an effort to contain collection and staffing costs and ensure equity to all library customers, not all suggestions will be purchased. Customers will not be notified of purchasing decisions. Please watch the catalog to see if your suggestion was purchased. You may then place your own hold.
Information about overdue items may be obtained by calling the administrative offices during business hours, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, M-F. You may also call or visit any Anoka County library during library open hours.
To find information about your account 24 hours a day, including a list of overdue items and due dates, access your account:
- Check online
- Dial the Library Renewal line at 763–717–3261
To make payments, keep reading below.
... Make payments on my library account?
Bills may be added to your library account for the following reasons:
Overdue material, Rental fees on movies, library card replacements, damaged items, lost items, and processing fees for damaged and lost items.
Payments may be made using cash, check, or credit card. Fines of more than $1.00 may be paid with a credit card. Credit card payments can be made over the phone, on a library selfcheck machine or in person at the library service desk.
To pay with a credit card over the phone, call the administrative offices at 763–785–3695, option 2.
This service is available during business hours:
8:00 am – 4:30 pm, M – F.
To pay in person or on a library selfcheck, visit any Anoka County Library.
Replacement copies are never accepted as payment for lost or damged materials.
... Get a book from another MN library?
Anoka County Library can try to get interlibrary loans of materials that we do not already own from other library systems. Please be sure to search the Anoka County Library catalog first before you initiate an interlibrary loan request. If you can’t find what you are looking for in our catalog, you can search for and request material from other Minnesota libraries by using the MnLINK Gateway. Once you’ve located the title, choose the "Get it!" option. Then enter your library card barcode and library pickup location. We will contact you when the material is available.
PLEASE NOTE: Interlibrary loans usually take 2–3 weeks to fill if available elsewhere in Minnesota. You may have up to 10 active interlibrary loan requests, including requests being ordered, checked out or returned.
Please fill out our Purchase Suggestion form for titles published in the last 6 months. For very recent or forthcoming titles we recommend that you contact us first. We may be already evaluating the title for purchase. Your interest in the title is very helpful to us as we develop our local collection.
For further assistance, contact a reference librarian at 763–717–3267 or via email at aclref@co.anoka.mn.us.
Please call or stop by the ACL branch where you want to hold your meeting. (Phone numbers for individual branches are listed here.) If a room is available, you will be asked to provide some basic information about your meeting in order to reserve the room.
Prior to entering the meeting room on the day of your reservation, you will be asked to read and sign a Meeting Room Reservation form, agreeing to meeting room policies.
Library meeting rooms may be reserved up to 60 days in advance for groups of three or more. ACL meeting rooms are not available for commercial purposes. Additional information about meeting room policies is available here.