New Catalog Preview & FAQ

Your library’s online catalog is getting a makeover! BCLS will be transitioning to using Bibliocommons, an online catalog system that is made for libraries, resulting in better search results and making the interface easier and more intuitive to use.

We are giving our cardholders an optional preview to our new catalog system, to give patrons a chance to get comfortable with the easy new navigation before it officially goes live for everyone on October 1st. The preview will be available to cardholders starting September 3rd. Please note: account changes, item requests, and holds made on the preview catalog WILL actually be made to your account in real time - changes made are live and will be saved.

We’re always striving to improve! This new catalog site will be much easier to navigate than our current system. The new catalog offers better search features, a simpler display, and helps you discover new titles in exciting ways.

Registering lets you create a username, making it easier to log in without having to remember your barcode each time. Plus, you’ll get personalized book recommendations and the ability to leave ratings and reviews!

In the United States, children under 13 are not allowed to enter free-text on websites without parental approval (per COPPA: the Child Online Privacy Protection Act). Instead, children can choose a color/animal/number format for a username. Once a child turns 13, he or she will be able to select a username and have other free-text options available.

In order to use the new catalog, you will have to create a username. However, you can log in with either your username or your library card number—it’s totally up to you! The unique username is necessary because the new catalog offers optional features like commenting on books and tracking your reading, which require a username.

The easiest way is to type one or more keywords into the search box at the top of the page and click the magnifying glass - just like you would on any search engine or shopping website. You can narrow your search by author, title, subject, or tags. If you aren’t sure how to spell something, try using the Keyword search and type a few letters—the system will suggest possible matches. If your search results are too broad, you can filter them by format, genre, and more on the left side of the screen.

Items that say Available are checked in and immediately available at at least one of the libraries that participates in our catalog. It does not necessarily mean that a copy of the item is available for Bay County Library System cardholders to borrow. To see the specific library and status, click “View Item Availability.” You’ll see if the item is checked out, in transit, or in processing. If you’ve set your preferred library locations, they’ll appear first on the list. Remember - new items from other library systems might not be available to check out due to newness, popularity, or rarity.

Log in to your account, find the item you want to request, click “Place Hold,” and select your preferred pick-up location. You can request an item if:

• The item is not currently available at your branch
• The item hasn’t been released yet
• You simply want it held for easy pick-up

Our catalog is shared with other libraries, and sometimes you might not be able to request an item from another library unless it’s owned by a BCLS branch, usually due to newness or popularity. If this happens, please let us know—we’re here to help!

No worries! Click on "Didn't find what you're looking for?" to explore our ebook and streaming video services, or contact us for further assistance. If you have time to wait for an item to be transferred, you can also place holds through Michigan eLibrary (MeL) to access materials from libraries across the state.

There are two ways to renew your items:

• Hover over the “My Library” tab and click “Checked Out.”
• Click on “My Library,” then click “Next Due” or “Total Items” under “Checked Out.” Once on your Checked Out page, select the titles you want to renew and click the “Renew” button.

We’re working on bringing it back! In the meantime, you can select all items on your first page by clicking “Select 1-25” and then “Renew.” If you have more than 25 items, repeat this on the next page.

Your saved lists from the old catalog aren’t lost! Soon, you’ll be able to import them to your “For Later” shelf. This is a one-time process and will be available after the catalog’s official release.

We hear you! All the new features are completely optional. You can continue using the catalog just for placing holds and renewing items, and ignore the extra features if you don’t find them helpful.

 Absolutely! We take your privacy very seriously. The only information shared with others is what you choose to share. You can control your privacy settings for shelves, lists, and more. Rest assured, your personal borrowing history remains private unless you decide to share it.