Help

• Download Talcott’s app by searching for PrairieCat in your app store.
• Once downloaded add Talcott as your library then click on “My Account”.
• Select “Library Card Signup”. Fill out the form and hit submit.
• You can also apply for a card in person. Just bring your photo ID with your current address or a piece of mail if your ID is not current.

A PIN number enables you to access your patron record, online resources from home, and our eCollection. You may create your own number using PrairieCat, the library’s online catalog.To create your PIN:

• Go to PrairieCat
• Click on the “My Account” link near the top right corner
• Click the link “Forget Your PIN?”
• Enter your library card number.
• You will receive an email with a link to reset your PIN.

You can also call the library or use our chat feature and ask a librarian to set up your PIN for you if you prefer.

Searching the Catalog

On the home page, the catalog will narrow your search to your home library by default. If you wish to search an alternate group of libraries or all libraries in PrairieCat, simply chose the button beside that option from the home page (see below):

If you chose to search the local library and you get “No catalog results found”, try performing an “Advanced Search” and choose “any” library.

Quick Search

Type in your search word(s) (no punctuation or capitalization is necessary), then click the arrow or press the enter key.

If you have misspelled a word you will be presented with a “Did you mean” question with the correct spelling in a blue link.

Advanced Search

Use the Advanced Search to combine a keyword, title, author or subject.

Further narrow your search by choosing a specific format, library, language, and/or publication year.

Results/Facets

A search that results in a single hit will display the full bibliographic information for the title as well as the holdings.

A search that results in multiple hits will display brief bibliographic information. You may click on the + sign next to items to display the libraries that own the title and the shelf status. Click on the title to display the full bibliographic information.

Note: In the brief display an icon appears to the left of the title indicating format (book, audio book CD, DVD, etc).

Facets

Once the brief records display, you have the opportunity to refine your results using the facets to the left of the brief results. Further refine your results by:

• Availability – records that have copies available
• Format – select the format you are interested in such as book, audio book on CD, large print, DVD, etc.
• Libraries – choose your library or a group of libraries in a geographic area
• Found In – choose the field that should contain your search criteria
• Publish Date – choose the year the item was published.
• Language – choose the language of the material
• Tag – refine your results based on patron initiated tags
• Setting – refine your results based on the geo- graphic area the title covers.

Click here to access to Talcott Library’s eBook, eAudio Book, and streaming video collection. You can access Omnilibraries.org 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To access/download these materials, you are required to sign in with your Talcott Library Card and PIN number. To start your Account, click Sign In or the Account Icon, and follow the directions. eBooks and eAudio Books content can be downloaded to many devices. Click here to see a list of portable media players that work with OMNI Libraries.

You can view everything you have checked out and renew books through our online catalog. Click on “My Account” near the upper right corner the catalog homepage or “Login” from the main menu of our website.

The My Account feature allows you a real time look at the items you currently have checked out, on hold, can renew, etc. In order to access My Account you must first Login using your patron barcode and PIN number.

• • Messages – will display a message from the library if there is one in your account, such as you need to update your contact information.
  • Checkouts – allows you to view the items currently checked out and their due dates.
  • Fines/Fees – allows you to view any money owed and make an online payment if desired.
  • Holds – allows you to view the items you have on hold and if they are available for pickup
  • Reading History – if you opt in, Encore will retain information on the titles you have checked out and returned. You may sort this list by title and author.
  • ILL – consult your library to determine if they use this feature to request an interlibrary loan.
  • Edit Account – allows you to add an Alternate ID, change your email or phone number, and opt into text alerts for notifications (message & data charges may apply.)
  • Edit PIN – change your PIN number
  • My Lists – allows you to view and manage lists you store in your account. Lists can be materials you want to read in the future, or materials you have used for a research project, etc.

You can also renew your items through the Talcott app. Search PrairieCat in your app store to download.

You can place holds on materials 24 hours a day 7 days a week through our shared online catalog, PrairieCat. You can also place holds through the Talcott app. Search PrairieCat in your app store to download.

If we do not own a title, you have the ability to place a hold on the title and receive it from another library.

1. Login to your account.
2. Search the catalog for the title.
3. Click on the “Request It” link.
4. The pickup location will automatically default to your library; however, you may choose a different pickup location.
5. Submit your request. You will receive a message that indicates that you will be contacted when your item is ready for pickup.

You may cancel your hold at any time. Simply click on the box next to the title and choose “Update List” or cancel all holds by using the “Cancel All” button.

If you receive an error message, please check with your library staff.

• Click here to go to the Skedda website. Read our study room policies here.

• Click here to go to the program description page.