When you register for your library card, you are given the option of providing an email address. Your library uses that email address to contact you about holds, overdues, and other aspects of your library account in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

If you use spam filtering please be sure that your filters are set to accept email from ocln.org.

You can test your email account by using our PIN request form.

To change your email address or stop receiving OCLN email, login to your library account and click on “Change My Email Address” or  contact your library.

We are constantly adding new Overdrive Titles and would love your input! Suggest a Title for Purchase here.

Want to see what is available?

Check out:

Our New eBooks
AND
New Audiobooks/a>

Our eBook titles are offered in the 2 most popular ebook formats EPUB and PDF.

To enjoy the new format you must upgrade your Overdrive Media Console and install Adobe Digital Editions. To help you through this process Overdrive has new FAQs for eBooks along with an updated Quick Start Guide to assist you in this process.

As always if you have any questions and/or comments, please feel free to Contact Us

We are constantly adding new Overdrive Titles and would love your input! Suggest a Title for Purchase here.

Want to see what is available?

Check out:

Our New eBooks

Our New Releases

All the MP3 titles

All the WMA titles

All the eBook titles

A few reminders!!

Our eBook titles are offered in the 2 most popular ebook formats EPUB and PDF.

To enjoy the new format you must upgrade your Overdrive Media Console and install Adobe Digital Editions. To help you through this process Overdrive has new FAQs for eBooks along with an updated Quick Start Guide to assist you in this process.

As always if you have any questions and/or comments, please feel free to Contact Us

The answers to many Frequently Asked Questions can be found in our Help Pages.

Due to concerns for your privacy, there are some questions that we cannot answer from this contact form. For fastest response, questions about the following topics should be directed to you local library.

Verification of library card numbers and Lost or Forgotten PINS
Item holds, checkouts and renewals
Amounts owed to the library for fines and fees.

Please use our form to contact us if you have a general question about OCLN or OCLN Services including:
Audio & Ebook Downloads
The Jobs & Careers Accelerator
The iBistro Library Catalog
The Massachusetts Virtual Catalog

cforms contact form by delicious:days

E-Book and audio book downloads have jumped from 26,297 in 2010 to 37,344 and climbing during this year.

We are continually adding new titles and welcome your suggestions and be sure to book-mark our
ebook address: ebooks.ocln.org :

Have a title that you you’d like to recommend for our collection ? Submit an E-Book Title Request with our form

Mobile use is on the rise and here are some features that will make it easier to browse the collection:

• Search by criteria such as title, author, keyword, publisher, format, etc. for a more custom set of results.
• Enhanced searching allows you to search within results to narrow down a list of titles, and limit the results to only show titles with copies available. M/li>
• Page numbers in search results gives patrons a clear view of how many titles were generated in their search or browse

.

We have received a few questions regarding the new features available in E-Library. We have addressed them below.

**Please note: For those using Internet Explorer – the use of Internet Explorer 7 or higher is recommended.**

What is E-Library? Does it display all results or only electronic formats?
E-Library is the new name for iBistro (commonly known as the Library Catalog). OCLN will be using the name E-Library to differentiate between the new and old version of iBistro.
With a few changes in display, E-Library will operate the same way iBistro did – returning results in all formats.

What can I use a Permalink for? A permalink can be copied and used in a Web page, e-mail message, or a blog.

What is a Permanent List? In E-Library you can create lists of saved item records by using the Permanent Lists option. The Permanent Lists will be retained until you choose to remove them.

What does it mean to Search by All Formats? “All Formats” is the default search. Results will include: Books, CDs & Cassettes, Videos & DVDs, and/or Maps & Atlases.

What happens when I limit by a format? Limiting by Format will force the system to display only materials that you have Limited by. For instance a search limited by CDs & Cassettes will only return results that are CDs & Cassettes, a search limited by Books will only return results that are books.

If you have any questions and/or comments about the enhancements, please feel free to Contact Us.

Download our Plugin at: MyCroft

This has been tested with Firefox 3,6 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 8.
This may not work with older versions.

The default cannot be changed. When you place the hold you can select any OCLN member library for pickup.

You can search our catalog using a variety of standard numbers including ISBN (International Standard Book Number,) and LCCN (Library of Congress Card Number).

Type the number into the search box, and then click on the “Words or Phrases” button.
Remember that different ISBN’s will be assigned to different editions of a title and that OCLN libraries may not own the exact edition that you are looking for.

Another approach is to use an Internet search engine to identify the title and then do a title search in the OCLN catalog. Of course you can always ask your library for assistance with tracking down the title.

Many OCLN Member Libraries conduct Book Sales.
For the most current information visit the library’s website.

A list of Book Sales is posted on Book Sale Finder.com

Use the links below to go direct to your OCLN Town.
(OCLN and the OCLN Member Libraries are not responsible for the information listed on the links below.)

Some OCLN Member Libraries are listed on Book Sale Finder.com

Abington
Avon
Braintree
Kingston
Manomet
Marshfield
Norwell
Sandwich
Walpole

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners lists job opportunities at libraries throughout the commonwealth. The URL for this site is http://mblc.state.ma.us/jobs/find_jobs/index.php

You can limit your searches so that the results include only the desired material type.

For instance, to limit your search to DVD, Click on the “Video Cassette / DVD” option, enter your search terms and then select “VIDEO DISK” from the drop down list. To select materials in
VHS format select “VIDEO” from the list.

You can use similar options for limiting searches to CD or Cassette.

Many OCLN Member libraries use email to send hold pickup, overdue and reminder notices. To receive email notices, contact your library and ask them to update your email address.

To discontinue email notification, contact your library and ask them to remove your eamil address from your record.

You can keyword search by title, author, subject, and more.

You can use Boolean (AND, OR, NOT) and Proximity (NEAR, WITH, ADJ) operators to refine your search.
When using these operators enter them in UPPERCASE.

Search for words in the same field (title, author, subject)

ham green eggs - words in title
john grisham - words in author
massachusetts history - words both in subject or both in title

Use AND, OR, or NOT if words can be in different fields.

green AND seuss - title word and author word
one pine AND birds - a publisher and a word in title or subject
cats NOT platypus - cats but no platypus

Use single quotes for phrases.

‘heart to heart’

You can use truncation to find more items.

mass$ – finds Massasoit, Massachusetts, Massacre, masses, mass etc
sun$3 – finds sun, suns, sunny but not sunnier. Up to three or no additional letters

You can use a ? to substitute for a single character (not a blank).

wom?n - finds woman, women, womyn
w??d - finds wild, word, wind…

Punctuation should be included in your searchs.

r.e.m.

If you are unsure about punctuation use OR:

r.e.m OR rem

If using AND is not narrowing your search enough consider these options.

dog adj cat – the words must be beside each other in that order
dog near cat - the words must be beside each other in ANY order
dog adj4 cat - must be within 4 words, in that order
dog near4 cat - must be within 4 words, in ANY order

You can limit your search to specific fields.

black {au} - author keyword
black {ti} - title keyword
black {su} - subject keyword
black {ser} - series keyword

Both Internet Explorer and Firefox have the capability to save your user barcode and pin.

In Firefox:

Tools Menu | Options | Privacy | Passwords |
Check “Remember Passwords”

In Internet Explorer:

Tools Menu | Internet Options | Content | Auto Complete
Check “User Names and Passwords on Forms”
Check “Prompt me to save passwords”
Check “Forms”

For more information please read the “Help” information for your browser.

Please note:
These settings should be used only on PC’s in your home or office and should NEVER be used on public PC’s in the library.

You may want to before you begin.

Step 1: enter your barcode and PIN in the form below:

Step 2: This will log you into your library account.

Step 3: Execute a keyword search for “TEST”

Step 4: Copy the resulting URL and then user the BACK BUTTON to return to this page.

Step 5: Go to:
Find New IE Search Providers”

and past your URL into the box labeled:

“Paste the URL of the Search results page
URL:”

Step 6: Provide a descriptive name, such as “My Library Search”
in the box labeled:
“Specify a name for the search provider
Name:”

Step 7: Then Click on “Install” and then click “Add Provider”
You search will be added to the IE7 Search Menu.

You can change your email address by logging into your account and clicking on “Change My Email Address”

Please contact your library for assistance with changing other pieces of your contact information.

Please contact the library where you registered. Their staff will be able to remove your record from our system.

Visit www.ocln.org and enter your library barcode and PIN (your PIN is OCLN unless you have changed it). When you login, your name will appear in the header of the screen and you will be able to access all of your account information without having to reenter your barcode.

• Conduct your search
• When you retrieve a list of titles, click on “Display Full Details”
button next to the title that you are interested in.
• Click on the Hold icon on
the left hand side of the screen. (A second button appears in the center of the
screen.)
If you are not logged in to your account, you will be prompted for your
barcode and PIN (your PIN is OCLN unless you have changed it).

(Contact your  library if you
do not know your PIN.)

• You may change the default pickup location to have the item delivered
to another library.
• Click on the “Place Hold” button to complete your hold request
• When your hold becomes available you will be contacted by the library

If you live in Massachusetts you may register on-line with our
eCard Registration Form
or by visiting any OCLN library.

Each OCLN Member Library has their own requirements for verifying your residency information. Please contact your library for detailed information.

If you live outside of Massachusetts, contact your local library. The staff at your library will be able to assist in obtaining the materials that you are looking for.

Click on “Manage My Account”

If you are not logged in you will be prompted to enter your barcode and PIN
(your PIN is OCLN unless you have changed it).

Select the items that you wish to renew.

Click the “Renew Selected Items” button.

A confirmation message will display with the updated due dates.

Many items may be renewed 2 time, but keep in mind that the OWNING library determines the number of times an item may be renewed.

Please note that items that are on hold for other patrons cannot be renewed.

Many OCLN public libraries offer museum passes to residents of their towns. Contact your library or visit their homepage for details on museum pass availability.

To see a list of your Holds, use the “Manage My Account” feature in iBistro, or enter your
barcode and pin in the form below:

• To turn off My Favorites Tracking: login to iBistro and click on My Favorites.
• Remove the check mark from the box next to:
“I want all authors and subjects of items that I have recently borrowed to be displayed automatically as My Favorites when I login to my account.”
• Click “OK”

This only suppresses the display of items that you have recently borrowed.

Note that OCLN manages the “My Favorites” listing in accordance with the OCLN Privacy Policy.

If you have not picked up your item within 7 days of notification, the library will cancel your hold and send the item
on to the next patron.

You will be logged out of your account after 30 minutes of inactivity.

The lists are updated daily and include titles that have had a copy added in the past 7 Days.

Most libraries send email notices to notify you of your holds. Please contact your library if you would like to receive email notifications. If you do not have an email address, the library will either call or send a paper notice when your hold is ready for pickup.

This is an indication that your Barocde and / or PIN are incorrect as entered.

You can receive an emailed PIN reminder by completing the PIN Reminder Form.

Access to the Gale InfoTrac Databases is made possible
by the six Massachusetts Regional Library Systems and the
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
.

The Board of Library Commissioners is the agency of
state government responsible for the improvement of library services throughout
the Commonwealth. This project is funded by the State of Massachusetts.

Selact your library:

Abington

Avon

Braintree

Brockton

Canton

Cohasset

Duxbury

Eastern Nazarene

Hanover

Hingham

Holbrook

Hull

Kingston

Marshfield

Massasoit

Milton

Norwell

Plymouth

Quincy

Randolph

Rockland

Sandwich

Scituate

Sharon

Stoughton

Walpole

Weymouth

Whitman

There is no limit to the number of items you may borrow.
You may have a maximum of 15 holds at any time.

Start searching for titles to read here.

Want to know how it works? Check out the new and improved help designed for Kindle and Kindle app users here.

We are excited to announce that more Overdrive titles are available for iPod users.

Click here to download the latest version of the Overdrive Media Console to start loading more titles to your iPod today!

Look for the iPod compatible icon when selecting titles in any of the following genres:

General Fiction

Classic Literature

Mystery & Suspense

Humor

Biographies

Business

Foreign Language Study

Self-Improvement

or take a look at ALL the titles that are iPod compatible. 

You will notice many more titles have the iPod icon than before!

On Thursday, January 15th Overdrive will be getting a makeover.

The color scheme and logo have been changed, but the more exciting reason for the makeover is that Overdrive will now be offering MP3 titles for download.

A list of MP3 titles that will become available for download on Thursday, January 15th can be found here

A screen shot of the newly redesigned Overdrive homepage can be found here

A screen shot of the newly redesigned Overdrive results page can be found here

If you have any questions and/or comments, please feel free to Contact Us

New titles have been added to our Ebook and AudioBook Collections.
You can find all of the new titles here: http://ebooks.ocln.org/NewReleases.htm.

Ebook Downloads for December 25th and 26th have shattered all previous records, with 283 downloads on the 25th and 301 on the 26th. The prior record was set on December 19, 2011, with 178 downloads.

Overdrive has reported that they are seeing unusually high demand on their website and you may find that
searching and downloading take a little more time than usual. Overdrive has engineers working on this issue and they expect it to be resolved shortly.

The year refers to the date of publication.

Different versions of the same title, Large Print, Audio and Video will each have their own record. This helps you identify the exact version that you want when placing a hold or looking for the title on the shelf.

Also, you may find that there are several versions of the book or video with different dates. We use the publisher’s date when cataloging items. The publishers may assign different dates based on format (paperback vs hardcover) or edition.

Kindle availability is coming soon!

Once Kindle availability is live; all browsing, searching, and checkout of eBook titles will remain the same. If a Title is available for a Kindle device the display you look like this:

Continue watching for updates!

General Questions

What is a Text Message Alert?
Text Message Alert is a voluntary subscription service that allows subscribers to receive electronic notifications when holds are available for pickup and when borrowed items are about to become due.

How much does Text Message Alert cost?
Text Message Alert is a free service offered at no charge for anyone registered at an OCLN Member Library. Depending on your Internet service provider or cellular phone plan, additional per-message charges may be assessed by your carrier. Please call your carrier to inquire about any charges they might impose BEFORE subscribing.

What type of devices will Text Message Alert send messages to?
Text Message Alert can send messages to any device that has a cellular number and is enabled to receive standard text messages.

Will my mobile provider charge me to receive a Text Message Alert?
This depends on your service provider and plan. We strongly encourage you to check with your provider to determine if there are additional charges BEFORE you subscribe to this service.

I am not receiving the Text Message Alerts. What Should I do?
Shortly after registering for the service you should receive a confirmation text. If you do not receive the confirmation message, return to the form and re-register. A typo in your phone number or selecting the wrong carrier will prevent you from receiving messages.

Some cell phone providers provide the ability to filter text messages. You may need to allow incoming messages from unknown addresses.

Will I continue to receive notices via email, US mail or phone call?
Yes, this is service is meant to supplement these traditional notification methods, not replace them.

When are Text Alerts sent out?
Text Alerts are sent out every morning at 8:00 am.

What information is contained in a Text Alert?
The Text Alert message will tell you the number of items that are ready for pickup and the name of the pickup library.
It WILL NOT list individual titles.

The message may appear to come from an unknown address Be sure that your message filters are set to allow messages from unknown addresses.

Subscription Questions

How do I subscribe for Text Message Alerts ?
Go to www.ocln.org and login to your account. Click on the “Set Text Message Alerts” button and complete the form. After completing the form you will receive a confirmation message on your phone.

I subscribed, but I entered the wrong phone number. What should I do now?
Re-subscribe with the correct phone number address. The incorrect phone number will automatically be deleted from the system.

When I subscribed, I was advised that I would receive a confirmation text message, which I did not receive. What should I do now?
Re-subscribe. Double check that you have entered your cell number correctly and have selected the correct provider. The incorrect phone number will automatically be deleted from the system.

Be sure that your message filters are set to allow messages from unknown addresses.

My cell number has changed. What can I do to continue to receive Text Message Alert?
Re-subscribe using your new number and provider, your old number will be removed from the system.

My cell phone provider isn’t included in your list of providers. What should I do?
Please send an email to public-help@ocln.org. Please include the name of your provider and your email address. We typically respond to these requests within 2 business days.

How do I unsubscribe from Text Message Alert?
Go to the OCLN Homepage and login to your account. Click on the “Set Text Message Alerts” button, complete the form and use “NOTEXT” as your phone number.

Is there an email address that I can use to report a problem that is not listed here?
You can always reach us at public-help@ocln.org. Please include your e-mail address and any error messages you are receiving. We typically respond to questions within 2 business days.

Starting Tuesday, July 6th Patrons will have the ability to save their Reading History. For more information please click here for our press release.

See our lists of new Audio & Ebook titles available for download.

See our list of Mobile Apps for iPhone, Black Berry & others.

See the Sunday, July 11th Brockton Enterprise Article about OCLN on-line services.

E-Audio Books (also known as “OVERDRIVE” audiobooks) are audio books that you download to your PC and load on an MP3 player. See our E-AUDIO FAQ for help getting started.

For an overview visit the Guided Tour.

My Favorites is a feature that enables OCLN’s iBistro system to display a list of works related to authors and subjects that you have recently borrowed. This list is diplayed when you login to your account from home or another remote location and is generally unavailable from with in the library. By default,tracking is turned on when you receive a new library card. Items stay on the list for 3 months.

• To view the items in your My Favorites List, login to your account.

• To turn off My Favorites Tracking: Click on “My Profile” and remove the check mark from the box next to:
“I want all authors and subjects of items that I have recently borrowed to be displayed automatically as My Favorites when I login to my account.”
• Click on OK.

Please note that this only suppresses the display of items that you have recently borrowed. OCLN’s iBistro system retains a record of all transactions for up to 6 months after the material has been returned.

For more information please see the OCLN Privacy Policy

The OCLN iBistro Catalog will operate with current versions of any of the browsers listed below.
Our pages operate best when java script is enabled.

• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Netscape Navigator
• Mozilla and Firefox
• Opera
• Safari (for Apple MacIntosh Computers)
  

OCLN uses RSS to keep you informed of titles recently added to your library’s collection.

RSS or “Really Simple Syndication” is a service that allows you keep up-to-date on your favorite websites by “subscribing” to their feeds. New information added to those sites can be easily browsed by visiting a single web page, called a “news reader”. The news reader automatically checks for updates and displays them for you! Most news readers allow you to subscribe by copying the link from your browser and pasting it into the news reader. Some news readers automatically detect the feed when you click on the link, making subscribing even easier! If in doubt, read your news reader’s help guide on how to subscribe to news feeds.

OCLN uses a data format called RSS to let you automatically receive updates of titles that your library has recently purchased, without having to constantly visit our site.

Because RSS and Atom are forms of a data-coding method called eXtensible Markup Language (XML), a feed offered by a site is
often labeled with: .

Getting Started with RSSis a simple guide to RSS.

Blogspace maintains a list of aggregators.

Other RSS Overviews include:

News that Comes to You

Pssss… Have You Heard About RSS?

The publishers have opted to license the audio books using the
Microsoft Digital Rights Management (DRM) system. Unfortunately, this
DRM is incompatibe with Macintosh computers and iPods.

Currently, all of the commercial services that provide downloadbale
audio to libraries use the Microsoft DRM. We will continue to
evaluate audio services as they expand their offerings to include
Macintosh, iPod and other non-Microsoft based DRM models.

The Edit Hold feature found in “Manage My Account” allows you to change the pickup location and suspend or cancel your holds.

“On Order Holds” is a designation to let you know that the item has been ordered by the library and can be placed on hold. When the item is recieved at the library and processesd, it will become available to fill holds.

This is a feature that allows your hold to be removed after a certain date. For instance, if you need the book for a school project, a book club, etc you can enter a Not Needed After date so that your hold will not come in after you no longer need it.

You can enter a Not Needed After date on a hold when the hold is placed or you can enter a Not Needed After date on a when you use “Manage My Account.”

This is a feature that allows you to suspend a hold for a period of time. For instance, if you are planning a vacation you can enter Suspension Start and Stop dates so that your hold does not
become available while you’re away.

You can suspend a hold when the hold is placed or you can
suspend the hold when you use “Manage My Account.”

Saved Bibliographies enable you to create a list of titles for printing or email. To create a Saved Bibliography:

• Conduct your search
• When you retrieve a list of titles, click on “Display Full Details” button next to the title that you are interested in.
• Click on “Save to Bibliography” to save the title to your list.
You may print or email your list by using the “Print/Email Saved Bibliography”
Please note that your bibliography will be deleted when you logout.

Your PIN is OCLN, Unless you have changed it.
Use our PIN PIN reminder form
to have your PIN sent to your email address.

To change your PIN:
Click on “Manage My Account”
If you are not logged in you will be prompted for your barcode and PIN (your PIN is OCLN unless you have changed it).
Click on “Change My PIN”
Enter your barcode and PIN (your PIN is OCLN unless you have changed it)
Enter your new PIN twice and click on the “Change PIN” button.

If you have changed your PIN and forgotten it, you must contact your library directly for assistance.

Advanced Search offers numerous options for making your searches more precise and getting more useful results.

You can use the drop-down menus to fine-tune your search

Author: Grisham NOT
Title: Client

To find all of the Grisham titles other than “The Client”

With Advanced Search, you can search for materials:

* that contain ALL the search terms you type in
* that contain the exact phrase you type in
* that are in a particular format (Cassette/CD, Video/DVD)
* that are intended for a particular age group (Adult. Young Adult, Juvenile)
* that were published in a particular year (2006) or range (2005-2007)

The Virtual Catalog provides a single, searchable catalog of materials owned by participating academic and public libraries in Massachusetts. Materials found in the Virtual Catalog may be requested by anyone with a valid public
library card. Anyone registered at an OCLN Member Library may use the service.

Get more information About the Virtual Catalog

Loan periods and overdue fines vary from library to library and are determined by the
library that OWNS the item.

All libraries send out overdue notices according to the following schedule:

Overdue Notices sent out when an item is 21 days overdue.
A second notice is sent when the item is 48 days overdue.

Notices for Videos are sent at 5 and 10 days overdue.

Notices for Inter Library Loan (ILL) items are sent at 1 and 5 days overdue.

When an item is 60 days overdue, the item is assumed to be lost and a bill is sent for the
replacement costs. Some libraries may charge additional processing fees.

Many libraries send overdue and bill notices via email. If you want to start or stop email
delivery of notices, please contact your Library.

See the iBistro Help Pages. Please note that this information is the standard documentation and may not include infotmation on all of the system features.

Due to the wide range of players and the rapid pace of
development, we are unable to make recommend specific MP3 players.
Our E-Audio service provider, Overdrive maintains a list of
compatible devices at:
http://www.overdrive.com/resources/drc/compatibledevices.aspx

Some new titles are designated as “Local Holds” only. If every copy of
the tile is designated “Local Holds Only” and your library does not own
a copy, you will not be able to place a hold on the item.
Copies are typically designated “Local Holds Only” for several months.

When using OCLN’s iBistro Catalog, use the “Go Back” “Next” and “Previous” buttons to navigate between screens. We have found that use
of the browser “Back” and “Forward” buttons can result in unreliable results. Your “BACK” button will return to normal operation when you
leave the catalog.

If you are using the system from home or work logging in will
give you access to all of your account settings without having to
re-enter your barcode. This is particularly helpful when you want to
place a number of holds.