CountyCat
The Online Catalog of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System
Further down on this page, you can learn how to place holds and renew your items.
CountyCat is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From time to time CountyCat may be unavailable during brief periods of system maintenance (usually late evenings or weekends). You can access CountyCat on the Internet (through the web, or telnet) or by dialing directly with your communications software.
World Wide Web:
The web address for CountyCat is http://countycat.mcfls.orgTelnet:
The telnet address for CountyCat is telnet://countycat.mcfls.org
Note: you must have a telnet application installed on your computer to use this version of the catalog.Dialing Direct:
Set your communications software to VT100 emulation, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, full duplex and 14,400 or less baud rate. Set your communications software to dial CountyCat at 286-2845.
How to use CountyCat
Search CountyCat just as you do at your local library. Search for any book, video, dvd, magazine, audio cassette, compact disc, etc. to see if it is available.
You can also check your personal library card record for items you already have checked out, find out the status of your holds (requests) and renew items you have already checked out. Please let us know if your name, address, or phone number has changed.
Place holds on items
Before you place a request to hold an item, you should make certain your address and phone number are current so the library can contact you. You can check your address and phone number by using the View Your Library Record option from the main menu of CountyCat. If changes are necessary, please contact your local library.
Before placing a request on a title, read the screen carefully. To ensure you receive the item you really want, check the format (book, video, dvd, compact disc, large print, etc.), the date of publication, and if the item is children's, young adult, or adult.
Once you have found the item you need, you may place a request by clicking on the Request button, or if you are using Telnet, by pressing: G > Request Item.
Follow the prompts on the screen to place the hold.
When CountyCat asks you to enter a PIN, that stands for Personal Identification Number. Your PIN is something you create. It can be any combination of numbers or letters and as long as you want. Be sure to make it something you can remember. Anytime you want to access your library record through CountyCat, you will need to enter your PIN.
If your request is not allowed or you would like more information on placing holds, please contact your local library for assistance.
Renew your items
Use the option to View Your Library Record from the main screen of CountyCat. For your convenience, every page of this web site also has a link to Your Library Record at the top.
After you enter your library card number and PIN, click on the Items Currently Checked Out link. Mark the check-boxes of the items you want to renew. Then click the Renew button.
Most three week and seven day items can be renewed once. If other people have holds on an item, it cannot be renewed.
You can also renew your items by calling the automated renewal phone number, (414) 277-0183. Make sure you have your library card ready and the items you want to renew. Follow the instructions and enter the information with your touch tone key pad.
For more instructions on using CountyCat or working with your personal library card record, contact your local library.