After getting a library card you can manage your library account online.
- Note: library cards expire every three years regardless of usage (to confirm contact information). Renew your card >.
- The information below pertains to the (desktop) website catalog.uhls.org >. You can also access your account using the UHLS Mobile app >.
- To apply for a new card, come to the library or fill out an online library card application >.
View our playlist of help videos > on YouTube
Access your account by clicking “My Account” in the top menu of our website or going to https://catalog.uhls.org >. Click on the blue login button (desktop) or “login” at the bottom of the screen (mobile). Enter the barcode from the back of your library card and your PIN. By default, your PIN is the last four digits of the phone number you gave the library when you signed up.
Or, download the UHLS Mobile app > to take the library with you on the go. Add your library card and select your library to get started.
Scan code to download the app
By default, your PIN is the last four digits of the phone number you gave the library when you signed up. While staff do not have access to your password, we can reset it back to the last four digits of your phone number. If you would like a different PIN, you can edit it when you regain access to your account.
When you regain access to your account, you can follow the steps in this video to change your PIN:
If you select email as your notification method, you will receive a reminder when your library card is about to expire. To renew, visit the library, call the library at 518-458-9274 or fill out this form >. Please note that the online form is not instantaneous – staff intervention is required.
After logging into your account, at the top of the account screen, you will see options to “Edit Account” and “Edit PIN.” Edit account will only allow you to change your phone number, email address, and notification preference. To change your physical address, you must contact the library.
From the edit account screen, you can also add text message notifications to your primary notification type.
You can select how you prefer to be notified of account activity. Choosing email as your notification type will result in notifications for: expiring cards, expiring loans and renewals, overdue loans, and items ready for pickup. Phone notifications will only contact you when the items you have requested are ready to pick up. Please do not select postal mail notifications, as they may not arrive in time for you to pick up requested items before the request expires.
To set notifications, log into your online account. At the top of the account screen, you will see an option to “Edit Account.” Click or tap this button to see and change your notification settings.
From the edit account screen, you can also add text message notifications to your primary notification type.
Screenshot of main search box
You do not need to be logged in to search for items, but if you would like to request an item, you will need to sign in. To search, type a keyword or phrase into the search box and enter. For a more detailed search, click the Advanced Search link under the search box.
On the results page, you can use the filters on the left in the “Refine by” section to narrow down the item format (book, ebook, DVD, etc.), location, language, genre, and more. Above that, you can sort results by relevance, date, title, and author.
Click on an item’s title to learn more about it, including which libraries own it and whether it is checked in.
Requesting Items
Modifying Requested Items
If you would like to request an item to be held for you to pick up, click on the individual item as described above. Then click on the “Request it” button near the top and select a pickup location.
If you have requested an item, you can view its status from the menu on the main My Account page. You can also freeze (postpone) or cancel a hold from this screen.
This is an opt-in feature that allows you to track your checkouts. Once enabled, this area will populate with items you check out going forward. It does not include electronic items or past checkouts from before it was enabled.
Watch a video showing how to turn on reading history >.
When logged in, you can create lists of items from our catalog to use as you wish. To create a list, find an item you wish to add and click on the title. Click on the basket icon to add it to your “bookcart.”
Click “view cart,” check the box next to the item, and select “save to list” from the top bar. You will be prompted to add it to an existing list or create a new list. To access lists, log into your account and select “My Lists” from the left menu.
To manage or export lists, use the menu at the bottom of the screen.
This section allows you to view a list of library items currently checked out to your account. The system automatically renews eligible items, so manual renewal is available in this area, but not necessary. If an item is not renewed automatically, it is not eligible for renewal.
See any library charges or fees that may (or may not) be blocking your borrowing privileges. These charges can be paid online using a credit card or PayPal from this screen. Click “pay online” and follow the prompts. See the payment process with screenshots >