Use these helpful tips when searching the Library Catalog for all materials available from the Poughkeepsie Public Library District and the collections of the entire Mid-Hudson Library System, including books, large print, magazines, video cassettes, DVDs, music CDs, CD-ROMs and more! Now you can search for articles from many of our electronic resources within the catalog too!
Types of Searches
Keyword is the search selected for you, or the “default” search. Enter any terms you are looking for, and the catalog will retrieve items with those terms, whether they are part of the title, author’s name, or subject. Results are sorted by relevance as the default, but you can click on “date” to sort the results listing newest books first, or “title” to sort the list alphabetically. Click on a title to see the full holdings information about an item of interest, such as owning libraries, call number, and whether the book is checked in.
There are options, called ‘facets’, on the left-hand side of the screen which allow you to further limit your search results by where the terms are found (author, title, etc.), owning location, format, subject, etc. Every option you click will narrow your results to those items with the qualities chosen.
Select Location: When you conduct a search, your results will show holdings of all the libraries in the Mid-Hudson Library System. This assures you of the most comprehensive search available. If, however, you’d like to limit your search to a particular library, or need something immediately from a library you are in when you search, you can do so by using the Location facet.
Or, search by:
Format: If you would like to search for a specific format, enter your keyword or title and then limit your search by the desired material type ( e.g.- Book; DVD; Book on CD; e-book; Periodical; Large Print, etc.).
Select Found In to specify your term is part of a Title/Author/Subject: Go directly to the record for the item you want, see owning libraries, the book’s call number, and whether the book is checked in.
Advanced Search: Use this link below the search box to create a more specific search by pre-selecting multiple formats or subjects, or broaden and narrower search terms using the words “and” and “or.” You can also limit your results by publication date or language.
TIP: To find all of a particular material type at any library, use the asterisk (*) instead of typing a search term in the title, select a location and material type and click “Submit”. Example: To find all DVDs at the Adriance Memorial Library, use * as you Word/Phrase, DVD as Format, and select Adriance as your Location.
Click on “Poughkeepsie Public Library District”, at the top of the page, to return to the main page and start a new search.
Request It
From the list of results, click on the Request It button to the right to request materials you would like to have delivered to your library. If you have not logged in, you will be prompted for your Library Card Barcode and your individual PIN (Follow the on-screen instructions, if you don’t have a PIN yet).
You will be prompted to choose your pick-up location from a drop down menu.
Check Your Record
At the main screen, click on Login in the upper right. Then, enter your barcode and PIN. If you don’t have a PIN, you now have the opportunity to create one. PINs must contain at least four letters or numbers-make it something you will remember in connection with your card! You will need your PIN every time you want to check your record, renew items, place a hold, or view articles from library databases.
You must then click on your name, as it now appears at the top of the screen, to view your record. Once in your record, you can Edit Your PIN or Account , –that is, some of your personal information. Scroll down to see what items you have checked out, and renew items that may be renewed.
Click Checkouts to view what you currently have out of the library. To renew items coming due, check desired boxes in the Renew column. You can Renew Selected Items or, Renew All. Also note that you can sort items in order of date checked out, or date due.
Once you are logged in, you can easily search the catalog and request books using the Request It button; you need only choose your pick-up location from the drop down menu.
After you have added titles to your Holds Request List, you can subsequently cancel or freeze your holds, or change the pick-up location (prior to item being placed in transit).
Contact Us
If you need assistance searching or using the online catalog, please feel free to contact us (845) 485-3445 x 3702 with any questions.