I was just checking my library card information online. As most of you know, you can check that information from the minerva.maine.eduwebsite. Click on the icon that says Patron Record, from there you will be directed to enter your name (first, last or both) and your library card number – all 14 digits, and they will show up as stars.
The next screen brings you to your account information. Here you will see your name, address and when your library card expires. You also have options – to Search Catalog (this button is on the right side of the page) ; Logout ; as well as see what is checked out to you, and what or if you might have any items currently requested.
Clicking on the link for items currently checked out, there are eight things I am supposed to have at home. Hmmm . . . I thought I only had six. Looking through the list, I can see when the items are due and if I might have renewed them. There is a click-able Radio Button before each item, which gives me the option of renewing a selected item. I am also see a button Sort by Due Date. Clicking this button, I easily see what need to be returned today (or perhaps last week!).
Next I click Request (Holds). Six items currently requested. Looking at this page I see that one item is currently In Transit, which means that it is between the library it is coming from, and my home library – Gardiner Public Library.
Here, I am also given an option of Freezing my requests. This choice will hold my spot in a holds queue, but will not deliver the item to Gardiner until I Un-Freeze the item. This function is useful if I plan to be away for some length of time, and unable to pick up requested items. There are often library materials that have MANY people waiting for them – an example would be Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. Currently there are 174 people waiting for this title! If I am waiting to read this book, but am going on vacation for two weeks, I know I will not be available to pick up the book if it becomes available in that time period. This is a good time to Freeze my hold. If I am currently number ten, and no, there is no way for me to know this, by Freezingmy hold, my spot is secure. I will continue to move closer to number one, but the item will not be sent to my library until I Un-Freeze it. My hold/request continues in the queue, I can become first in line, stay first in line, other holds will flow around my hold, but as soon as I Un-Freeze the hold I am number one! The next available item will be sent to my library, Gardiner Public Library, and I will be notified to come in and pick it up! This is a strange concept to understand, but for a “Snow Bird”, or a person who has been waiting what seems like YEARS, but needs to be away for a period of time, this can be a very useful tool.
Take a few minutes, and see “What’s on your card?”
Ann Russell, Technology Librarian
