Pierce County Library > Computer FAQs

Computer FAQs

Answer to Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions, and their answers, in regard to computer access of our resources.

E-Source Access Issues

Why won't the E-Sources link work for me?

E-Sources are provided by third-party vendors to whom we have paid a subscription fee to allow use for all our Library customers. These vendors require some authentication processes to prove you are a valid Pierce County Library patron, before they will allow you access. This authentication process can be affected by session initialization, cookie acceptance, your computer's configuration, and which links or bookmarks you are using. Here are a few tips to try if you are experiencing problems.

If you click on an E-Source link and get an empty catalog Keyword search page, simply try hitting your BACK button and retry the same link. (It could simply be a catalog session initialization issue, and re-clicking the same link will re-connect you properly.) You can also click on the E-Sources link within the catalog to re-connect the session.
If you are succesfully logged into the catalog and your browser is trying to connect to a vendor's database but is not being succesful, or if the vendor web site asks you to provide additional log-in/password, it may be that your browser is not allowing the vendor's cookies (and therefore the database cannot recognize that you had been authenticated previously.)
Try setting our Web domain - piercecountylibrary.org - into your Trusted Sites list of your browser. (In Internet Explorer, find this setting under Tools | Internet Options | Security.) Similarly, each vendor's domain could also be entered as a Trusted site, and thus most cookie and pop-up issues with that site will be resolved. (Something similar to this may need to be done on company firewalls if you are trying to access from an office terminal.)

For additional troubleshooting help, or if you continue to experience access problems, please contact our Computer Support HelpDesk.

E-mail Notification

How do I sign up for (or change my) e-mail notification of holds and overdue items?

From the e-mail address that you would like us to use, please send your request to: helpdesk@piercecountylibrary.org.

Please include:

Your first and last name,
Your library barcode number located on the back of your card,
Your phone number may also be helpful.

Help Desk staff will make the change as soon as possible, please allow a few business days.

Why am I not getting library e-mail notifications?

Patrons sometimes find that, although they have signed up for automatic e-mail notification, they are not receiving the notices.

Possible reasons for this:

Since our library system sends out hundreds of almost identical e-mails every day, some e-mail and Internet providers may mistake our e-mail as SPAM. Please add our address, library@piercecountylibrary.org to your e-mail address book.
In the workplace, some company servers may mistake our e-mail as SPAM. You may need to okay the use of your business e-mail account for library notices with your office's System Administrator.
If you are using a free e-mail account and your e-mail box becomes full, your notification will bounce back to the library server as undeliverable and you will not get that message.
A patron's own computer settings may be blocking library e-mail. Under Internet Options please check your security settings.

If you are still not receiving our e-mails, please contact our Help Desk .

My Library Account

Can I get a library card online?

Yes, to sign up for your Pierce County Library card online, please apply now for a free card.

How do I get into my library account?

From our home page, click on the blue My Account tab. Enter your library card barcode number from the back of your current Pierce County library card, with no spaces, along with your Personal Identification Number or PIN. (Unless you have changed your PIN, it should be the last four digits of your telephone number.) Then click Log In. You should now be logged into your account. From here you may place holds, renew items and more.

How can I change my PIN?

To change your PIN, log into "My Account" with your current PIN. Select the My Records tab near the top of the page after you have logged in. Near the bottom of this page you will see a link called "Change Password." Click this link. Enter your current password and your new password as prompted. Then click "Submit Request to Staff" link The next screen should confirm that your request has been submitted. Your new password will be instantly usable for logging into our Polaris library catalog from home or in one of our branches.

Please note: To use one of our branch public internet stations your password will not take effect for 24 hours so you will need to ask for visitor's pass from branch staff.

What if my PIN isn't working?

Possible reasons for this:

If your telephone number has changed since you first registered for your library card, your PIN will still be the last four digits of your previous telephone number. It is not automatically updated. Please go to your local branch with picture ID and a staff member can help you update your patron registration. Ask them to reset the PIN to the last four digits of your new telephone number.
If you have changed your PIN at any time and no longer remember it, you can go to your local branch with picture ID and they can reset it to the last four digits of your current telephone number.

Can I renew items online?

Yes. To renew items:

Access your Patron Account, as described above.
Select the Items Out tab.
Click the box of the item you wish to renew.
Click Renew Selected Items at the bottom of the page.

Please Note: After clicking Renew Selected Items, the next page that comes up will say if the renewal was successful, and what the new due date is for each item. Not all items will be renewed each time, due to others waiting, etc. Please carefully read any message that is displayed on this confirmation page.

Can I report a lost library card online?

Yes, go to lost your library card to report your card lost. You may also go to any Pierce County Library branch and a staff member can assist you.

Can I pay my library fine online?

Yes! To pay online:

Log into your patron account and select the "Fines & Fees" tab near the top of the page.
Place a checkmark in the box(es) to the left of the fine(s) you wish to pay and select the "Pay Fines Now" link near the bottom of the screen.
The next page will display your patron account information and empty fields for you to enter your credit card information. (Click the Help link for information about your credit card's Security Code.)
Please provide your email address to receive an email receipt of your transaction or print the page confirming your transaction.
NOTE: A payment confirmation page, or emailed receipt printout is required as proof of payment when requesting a refund.

Connection and Navigation

Can I use your catalog from home?

Yes. 'Remote Access' to our library Web site, catalogue and most E-Sources is available from home, office and wireless locations. Connection problems from a remote location are rare but do happen occasionally. Go to Connection and Navigation Tips for more information.

Keep in mind that when accessing our site from work, you may need to check with your company's systems administrator regarding firewalls, 'cookies' and other connection and navigation issues.

How do I access the free E-Source databases available through PCLS?

In order to use the E-Sources, you need a valid Pierce County Library card. From our home page, under the Services tab, select E-Sources. Or click here. When prompted, enter your library card number (with no spaces) from the back of your card and your PIN. (Unless you have changed it, your PIN should be the last four digits of your telephone number.) If when accessing a database, you are repeatedly asked for your card number and PIN, see Connection and Navigation Tips for more tips regarding 'cookies' and 'referred' information

OverDrive Troubleshooting Tips:

If you are having difficulties installing OverDrive, or have completed installation and are unable to download your first book select. Read more here >>

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