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Milwaukee County Federated Library System

Serving the public libraries of Milwaukee County with resources and collaborations that enhance our communities.

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CountyCat Card & Account Help

Getting a Library Card

Online Registration

If you are a Milwaukee County resident and do not already have a library card, you can register online to be a patron of the library system. The link below is for new registrations only. Upon successful completion, you will have the ability to place up to 5 requests for materials. To check out materials, you will need to bring two forms of identification in person to your community library and complete your registration.

Click here to get started!

In-person registration

You can register for a library card at any public library within Milwaukee County. Bring in two forms of ID, one with your legal name and one with your legal name and address to confirm your Milwaukee County residence address. An electronic version of an ID will be accepted but any ID must be current.


Logging into CountyCat the First Time

From your CountyCat account you can:

  • search the catalog,
  • modify your personal contact information,
  • view holds and checked out items, and, fines.
  • set up or refer to your reading history and more

To login, CLICK HERE and enter the barcode number found on the back of your library card (or your username) and your Personal Identification Number (or PIN).

If you do not have a PIN, enter your barcode number and click the "Submit" button. You will be prompted to enter a new PIN and immediately enter your online account.

If you get a message stating "Sorry, the information you submitted was invalid. Please try again", it means there is a PIN on your record already.

If you have an email address on your account, you can reset your PIN. Click on the "Forget Your PIN?" link and enter your email address to use this feature. If you do not have an email address, contact your local library to reset your PIN.


Forms of ID for Card Sign Up & Renewal

Examples of Acceptable Name ID

  • Valid Driver’s license or state ID
  • Valid Municipal ID
  • Current Student Picture ID
  • Current Military ID
  • Valid Wisconsin License which includes physical characteristics, such as a fishing or hunting license
  • Passport
  • Birth Certificate
  • Current Employment Picture ID

Examples of Acceptable Name and Address ID

  • Valid Driver’s license
  • Valid Municipal ID
  • Vote ID/Registration Information from MyVote.gov
  • A valid and current rental lease agreement with your name and address. No handwritten receipts
  • Postmarked mail received at your home within the last 30 days. No window envelopes, junk mail or magazines
  • Utility bills (gas, electric, cable and telephone) mailed to you within the last month.
  • Online account statement from a utility or financial institution with your current address and dated within the past month. Statement can be printed or displayed from a mobile device.
  • Recent report card from school
  • Current school schedule with address
  • Current insurance card with name and address
  • Recent paycheck stub with name and address
  • Pre-printed personal Checks (with your checkbook)
  • Vehicle Registration

How to Set Up a Username In Place of a Barcode

SETTING UP A USERNAME to USE IN PLACE OF THE BARCODE:You may use a unique username instead of your barcode to log into CountyCat or CountyCat Mobile.  To set this up:

  • Log into CountyCat on a web browser and go into your library account.
  • Click the Modify Personal Information link or Edit Account button.
  • Fill in the field for "Username" and click Submit to save your changes. You may also speak to a librarian who can help you enter this information.

NOTE: If you make use of a username, it will appear on the paper slips used to designate materials ready for pickup at most libraries.


Renew Your Library Card

You may renew your library card by either going into any public library in Milwaukee County, or by using the Online Renewal form.

However you choose to renew your card, plan to have one-to-two valid forms of identifications ready. The number of IDs required varies depending on which library you renew with. It's always wise to have one of the IDs used to verify your identity include a photo, along with a current document (paper or digital) that verifies your current Milwaukee County address. Here is a list of acceptable forms of identification: Lista en Espanol

Examples of Acceptable Name ID

  • Valid Driver’s license or state ID
  • Valid Municipal ID
  • Current Student Picture ID
  • Current Military ID
  • Valid Wisconsin License which includes physical characteristics, such as a fishing or hunting license
  • Passport
  • Birth Certificate
  • Current Employment Picture ID

Examples of Acceptable Name and Address ID

  • Valid Driver’s license
  • Valid Municipal ID
  • Voter ID/registration information from MyVote.gov
  • A valid and current rental lease agreement with your name and address. No handwritten receipts
  • Postmarked mail received at your home within the last 30 days. No window envelopes, junk mail or magazines
  • Utility bills (gas, electric, cable and telephone) mailed to you within the last month.
  • Printed online account statement from a utility or financial institution with your current address and dated within the past month
  • Recent report card from school
  • Current school schedule with address
  • Current insurance card with name and address
  • Recent paycheck stub with name and address
  • Pre-printed personal Checks (with your checkbook)
  • Vehicle Registration


PIN Help

Does my PIN need to meet certain requirements?

Yes. When you create or modify your PIN, the system requires that your PIN:

    • be between 4- 30 characters long
    • consider of any combination of alpha-numeric characters (a-z, 0-9) but not special characters like $%*.
  • The PIN should not feature any type of pattern such as characters repeated three or more times (aaaa, ababa, bbbb, etc)
  • The PIN should not feature a set of up to four characters that repeat two or more times (abab, abcabc, abcdabcd)

Any PIN not considered complex enough will generate a message:

YOUR PIN IS NOT COMPLEX ENOUGH TO BE SECURE. PLEASE SELECT ANOTHER ONE.


What if I forgot my PIN?

If you forget your PIN for CountyCat, you can reset it so long as you have an email address in your library account. If you do not have an email in your library record, or if you are unsure, reach out to a librarian at your home library.

Otherwise:

  • Go to the CountyCat login page
  • click the Forgot your PIN? link near the bottom of the screen
  • You will be prompted to enter your library barcode or username and a PIN reset form will go to your email.

CountyCat Login Page


What if I don’t have a PIN?

To create a PIN for your library record:

  • Enter your library barcode or username in the first text box on the CountyCat login page.
  • IMPORTANT: leave the PIN area black and click the Submit button.
  • The system will then prompt you to create a new PIN. You will need to confirm your PIN and click the Submit button again.  If successful, you will be taken into your library account where you can manage it.

If you get this error message:

SORRY, THE INFORMATION YOU SUBMITTED WAS INVALID. PLEASE TRY AGAIN.

It means you already have a PIN. In that case, click the Forgot your PIN link to reset your PIN via the email account tied to your library record.

If you do not have an email address in your library account, or if you are unsure, please contact your local library during normal business hours to reset your PIN.


What is the limit for a PIN?

When editing or setting up a PIN for CountyCat, make sure you enter a minimum of four characters.

The system accepts alpha-numeric characters (a-z, 0-9) but does not accept special characters such as #, *, or !.

The system does not want any type of pattern for a PIN. This means:

  • do not enter characters that repeat three or more times (aaaa, ababa, bbbb)
  • do not enter a set of up to four characters that repeat two or more times (abab, abcabc, abcdabcd).

If you need more help setting up your PIN, contact your local library.



CountyCat General Help

Search tips


After you enter in your search terms in CountyCat, use the facets (or limiters) on the left hand side of the screen under Refine by to narrow a broad topic to the specific item you desire. The checkboxes let you:

  • Availability--Limit results to those at the library (for checkout or on the reference shelf) or available online.
  • Found In--Limit search results by setting WHERE your search term is found: in the author, title or subject field. This is especially useful when searching the name of a person. If someone has written books under that name, then selecting subject will give you biographies of that author. Selecting the author facet will return books written by that person.
  • Format—Limit results by format (DVDs, music CDs, ebooks, etc.)
  • Location—Limit your results to a specific library location
  • Age - Limit results by age level (adult, child, young adult)
  • Language—Limit results to a certain foreign language or translation. You can also eliminate them from your results by selecting English.
  • Tag—Check this option to limit and search subjects noted by both librarians and members of the library community, very helpful for broader searching.
  • Place—Check this option to filter by the geographic setting of the book or film
  • Publish Date—Limit results from a specific time.

Can I return materials to any library?

Yes. Materials checked out at a public library in Milwaukee County can be returned to any public library in Milwaukee County.


Where can I find which libraries offer photocopying, computer access, etc?

During the pandemic, many member libraries have altered what they normally offer for on-site photocopying, faxing, printing, computer access, etc.  The public is asked to consult the Printing, Fax, Photocopying Services page to learn which libraries offer specific services.


I returned library items. Why are they still on my account?

Some libraries place returned library materials into quarantine. The items will be backdated upon checkin to reflect the correct return date.

If materials are still listed on your library record after seven days of you returning them, please contact the library.


How to Add/Remove Titles in a CountyCat Cart & Make a List

From your CountyCat search results display, or within a full record display of a title, there is a "cart" icon (Or, it may look to some like a boat icon), you can click to add items to a cart.  Add itemtoaCartWhen viewing the cart, you may then add/remove items. You will also have a choice to email or print one or more items in your cart, or do a batch request. Or, you may choose to select one or more items in your cart to add to a new or an existing list. That list can be accessed from your library account over time. From the list, you can remove or add titles. You can also use it to place requests.

Watch this short 3 minute video which shows how to add and remove items from a cart in CountyCat and how to make a list.

IMPORTANT:  Patrons are asked to save no more than 10 items at a time to a cart. There is a bug with the current 2021 software that throws an error when more titles are saved to a cart at one time. This bug is fixed in the next software release coming in 2022.



Help Renewing Items & Renewing Your Card

Forms of ID for Card Sign Up & Renewal

Examples of Acceptable Name ID

  • Valid Driver’s license or state ID
  • Valid Municipal ID
  • Current Student Picture ID
  • Current Military ID
  • Valid Wisconsin License which includes physical characteristics, such as a fishing or hunting license
  • Passport
  • Birth Certificate
  • Current Employment Picture ID

Examples of Acceptable Name and Address ID

  • Valid Driver’s license
  • Valid Municipal ID
  • Vote ID/Registration Information from MyVote.gov
  • A valid and current rental lease agreement with your name and address. No handwritten receipts
  • Postmarked mail received at your home within the last 30 days. No window envelopes, junk mail or magazines
  • Utility bills (gas, electric, cable and telephone) mailed to you within the last month.
  • Online account statement from a utility or financial institution with your current address and dated within the past month. Statement can be printed or displayed from a mobile device.
  • Recent report card from school
  • Current school schedule with address
  • Current insurance card with name and address
  • Recent paycheck stub with name and address
  • Pre-printed personal Checks (with your checkbook)
  • Vehicle Registration

Renew Materials In CountyCat

Follow these steps to renew items through your CountyCat patron account

  • Log into CountyCat using a web browser.  Within the account find Checkouts.
  • You'll see a list of all items you currently have checked out.
  • If you click the SORT BY CHECKOUT button, the same button will offer the option to SORT BY DUE DATE.
  • Click in the boxes to the left of the titles you would like to renew. Then click the Renew Marked button.  NOTE: There is also a button called Renew All to renew all of your checked out items.
  • The next screen will offer text asking if you'd like to process. Please click Yes only once. 

  • The system will display information in RED if/when materials are not able to be renewed. It may be that it's too soon to renew, or you may have reached the limit for times to renew the titles.

Renew Materials by Phone

All MCFLS libraries offer telephone renewal using phone number, 414-277-0183.

To renew items by phone, you will need to have your library barcode number AND the barcode numbers of the items you would like to renew. As with online renewals, you may in some cases renew overdue materials, but any fines owed at the time of the renewal will still be added to your library record.


Renew Materials via Text Messaging

To renew items through a text message, you must first be signed up for text notifications. After you are signed up successfully and when your materials are about to come due, you will receive a text message tied to the correct item(s), one day prior to the due date. The text will give instructions for how to renew one or all items if they are eligible.

The text command to renew all items is RA for RENEW ALL. The text command to renew items from your list of current checkouts is RL for RENEW FROM A LIST.


Renew Materials Through the App

While in CountyCat Mobile, go to My Checkouts. (You may need to log in if you are not already).

Within the listing, you may renew individual titles using the Renew button. Or choose Renew All near the top.

It's possible that the app may not be able to process the renewal. You may get one of the following messages: "TOO MANY RENEWALS," "TOO SOON TO RENEW" or "ITEM ON HOLD." These messages mean your attempt at renewal was NOT successful.

Click Cancel to go back to the listing of checkouts.


Renew Your Library Card

You may renew your library card by either going into any public library in Milwaukee County, or by using the Online Renewal form.

However you choose to renew your card, plan to have one-to-two valid forms of identifications ready. The number of IDs required varies depending on which library you renew with. It's always wise to have one of the IDs used to verify your identity include a photo, along with a current document (paper or digital) that verifies your current Milwaukee County address. Here is a list of acceptable forms of identification: Lista en Espanol

Examples of Acceptable Name ID

  • Valid Driver’s license or state ID
  • Valid Municipal ID
  • Current Student Picture ID
  • Current Military ID
  • Valid Wisconsin License which includes physical characteristics, such as a fishing or hunting license
  • Passport
  • Birth Certificate
  • Current Employment Picture ID

Examples of Acceptable Name and Address ID

  • Valid Driver’s license
  • Valid Municipal ID
  • Voter ID/registration information from MyVote.gov
  • A valid and current rental lease agreement with your name and address. No handwritten receipts
  • Postmarked mail received at your home within the last 30 days. No window envelopes, junk mail or magazines
  • Utility bills (gas, electric, cable and telephone) mailed to you within the last month.
  • Printed online account statement from a utility or financial institution with your current address and dated within the past month
  • Recent report card from school
  • Current school schedule with address
  • Current insurance card with name and address
  • Recent paycheck stub with name and address
  • Pre-printed personal Checks (with your checkbook)
  • Vehicle Registration


Help Placing Holds

How to Request a Single Item in CountyCat

After clicking the REQUEST button, you will be prompted to log into CountyCat if you are not already. Log in using your barcode (or username) and PIN.

After this point, you will be prompted to select a hold pickup location from a drop down menu. Now click Submit.

The system will confirm your request has been successful and that you will be notified when the item is available for pickup.


How to Request Multiple Items in CountyCat

To request multiple items, search the catalog and mark items you with to request using the book cart icon found to the right of each title.

At any point, you may remove or add titles to the cart. Once you have items in your book cart, you'll see the view cart text link. This is true in the search results OR in a full CountyCat record like below.

When you click on view cart, the screen looks like this. At this point you could email titles to someone or yourself, you may still remove items. To place a multiple-item request, click the Request button.

If you are not already logged into CountyCat, you will be prompted to do so. Afterwards, the system will give you a REQUEST form where you'll see the titles and be asked to select a HOLD PICKUP location. Do so and click Submit. 

The system will confirm your request has been successful and that you will be notified when the item is available for pickup.


When Will I Get a Hold Pick Up Notice?

Once an item has been checked in to fill your hold and is placed on the holdshelf, you will be notified by either a telephone, email, print notice or text notice.

MCFLS sends out hold pickup notices via email and phone four times per day Monday through Friday. On Saturdays, these notices are sent out three times a day. On Sundays they go out twice a day.  Text hold pickup notices also go out each day but through a separate service called Shoutbomb. That service requires persons to manually sign up. Learn how to do that here.

For telephone notices, all area codes are supported.

You can specify which method you would like to use for notifications when you register or editing your library record in CountyCat (via the Modify Personal Information link).

The best option for receiving hold pickup notices is generally through email, as these will include more specific information about the item being held and will get to you more quickly.

Holds expire from the holdshelf at your pickup location 5 days from the date they are placed there. These items are then returned to the owning library or passed to the next person in the queue.

Your notification message will specifiy the last date the item will be available on the holdshelf.

View this help sheet which shows where to look for hold pickup notifications and the HOLD PICKUP BY date.


How to Request Items in the CountyCat Mobile App

Enter your search terms into the app and click enter to execute the search. (Note some devices use 'search,' 'done', or 'return').  NOTE: The app does not allow you to create a book cart and place multiple requests.

When you see a title of interest, touch the Find a Copy to see where it's available. To place a request, choose Request for Pickup.

The next screen will display a drop down menu. Choose the library location where you want to collect the item from.

The system will then post a message that your hold was accepted.

If you want to view your holds go to the menu in the upper right corner (three horizontal lines) and choose My Account > Held Items.  From that area you may also cancel or freeze a hold.


How to Check My Holds in the CountyCat Mobile App

To check your holds in the mobile app, choose the My Account menu option from the home screen midway down. Another way to access this area is using the Home menu located in the top, upper right of any screen.

From the next screen choose Held Items.

You will now see all held of your held items. The Status area indicates if the title is still on hold or in transit to your pickup location!  The wording is small and a little cryptic but it should give information. Don't forget, to REFRESH the app, use a finger and while at the very top of the screen, drag downward.

The below title is in transit coming to the Bay View branch location.  You will receive a hold pickup notice when it is ready to pick up.Use the buttons Freeze or Cancel to manage individual holds.


How To Cancel a Hold in the CountyCat Mobile App

From within My Account > Held Items, you can see a list of titles either on hold or ready for hold pickup. From this list in the app, choose the Cancel button to cancel the hold.

NOTE: You will not be able to cancel holds on the holdshelf ready for pickup at the destined location.


Help with Frozen Holds

You can freeze (suspend) a hold to retain your place in the hold queue. This postpones when the hold is to be filled. For instance, if you have requested titles on hold, but will be soon on vacation, you may want to freeze the holds so that none are filled while you are unable to retrieve them.

IMPORTANT: Staff are not able to unfreeze your frozen holds. This is something you must do within your CountyCat record, either using a web browser or the mobile catalog app.

HOW TO FREEZE A HOLD:

To freeze holds, log into your account on CountyCat. From the list of holds, check the appropriate boxes from the "Freeze" column, then select "Update List."

Choose 'YES' in response to the confirmation message that comes up next. The holds will remain frozen until you"unfreeze" them.

Not all titles will offer a freeze option.

If you see no checkbox in the FREEZE column, then that is the case (see the image to the right). Reasons why a title cannot be frozen include:

  • Titles are in transit,
  • Title were just placed on hold and technically still available,
  • Titles are ready for pickup
  • Titles have been on hold more than 255 days

Here is what the screen looks like in the CountyCat Mobile app for a title that cannot be frozen.

TO UNFREEZE HOLDS

Again, go into your Countycat account and under Holds.  Uncheck the box in the FREEZE column and click Update.  Then click the Yes button to proceed.

Frozen holds are kept for 255 days from the date the hold was placed. The frozen hold remains frozen until the patron unfreezes it even after the 255 days. Staff cannot unfreeze holds for a patron.



Help Using Resources

Where can I find which libraries offer photocopying, computer access, etc?

During the pandemic, many member libraries have altered what they normally offer for on-site photocopying, faxing, printing, computer access, etc.  The public is asked to consult the Printing, Fax, Photocopying Services page to learn which libraries offer specific services.


What resources may I use from home?

Your library card provides access to so many free, online resources from the comfort of your home. For a full list, check out the Resources by Area page.

    • Read an e-book or listen to an audiobook using OverDrive (Libby), Hoopla or Ebsco E-books.
    • Read or view E-magazines from RBdigital
    • Stream, or download television shows or movies using Hoopla
    • Listen to music online using Hoopla.
    • Take an online course using Gale Courses which offers hundreds of classes online from professional instructors.
    • Learn or brush up on another language using Transparent Languages Online.
    • Research a topic or continue your studies using the library's FREE online databases including those from BadgerLink.
    • Explore America's historic newspapers from 1789-1963 using Chronicling America.
    • Dig into the past using Ancestry Library Edition. This resource is available remotely through December 31, 2020 for certain municipalities that already subscribe to the Proquest version of this product.
    • Connect with award-winning children's books and their authors using TeachingBooks' Book & Reading Engagement Kit: Home Edition - For home schoolers and for everyone, this resource offers 172,000+ videos, audio recordings, ready-to-use activities, and lessons to help connect individuals to a rich assortment of award-winning children's books and authors. No library card required.


If I have a lot of fines, will I still be able to use resources like OverDrive & Hoopla?

Yes. Member libraries have currently relaxed restrictions for patrons to access both OverDrive and Hoopla as long as your total fines are not more than $100.

In addition, member libraries are working to add more OverDrive (Libby) e-books and e-audiobooks to the Wisconsin Digital Library collection.


How can I get access to these resources if I don’t have a card?

All Milwaukee County residents can sign up for a temporary library card which provides access to resources like Hoopla and OverDrive/Libby. For more information and to sign up, click here.



Help with Text Notices

Renew Materials via Text Messaging

To renew items through a text message, you must first be signed up for text notifications. After you are signed up successfully and when your materials are about to come due, you will receive a text message tied to the correct item(s), one day prior to the due date. The text will give instructions for how to renew one or all items if they are eligible.

The text command to renew all items is RA for RENEW ALL. The text command to renew items from your list of current checkouts is RL for RENEW FROM A LIST.


Sign Up In Your Library Account in CountyCat

Sign up within your library account:

  • After logging into CountyCat using the Log In To My Account option, click the Edit Account button. The Modify Personal Information window will come up.

  • To receive text messages, enter in your cell phone number in the box labeled TEXT MESSAGE NUMBER. Please enter it in with no spaces or dashes. Enter it in this field even if a cell phone is already in the TELEPHONE field.

    By entering that in, you are agreeing to receive text notices!

  • Click Submit to save your changes.

NOTE: You will not receive a welcome text. Instead notifications will come when activity on your library account triggers a message.


Sign Up at a Library Public Service Desk

To sign up for text notifications, you can connect with a library staff person at a public services desk. Ask the staffer to add your cell phone number to your patron account. You will be signed up. You won't get a welcome text. Notifications will start once there is activity on your account.

NOTE: Text notices are a secondary service to what our MCFLS library system provides for notifications. If you have an email address in your record or want phone notifications in addition to text notices, that is possible!


What are Some Keyword Text Commands?

Use any of these text commands after you are signed up:

English Espanol
MYBOOKS
List of items out
MISLIBROS
NEWPASS
New PIN
NUEVA CONTRASENA
RA
Renew all
RA
RL
Renew from a list
RL
OA
Renew all overdue
OA
OL
Renew overdue from a list
OL
HL
Request a list of items on hold
HL

More text commands include:

  • addcard - Add an additional library card to your notifications.
  • addemail - Request to update user's profile with an email address.
  • dropemail - Request to update user’s profile by deleting existing email address.
  • fees- Toggles notification on or off when fees have been added to your account. This option is not automatically turned on when you register.
  • help - Request detailed descriptions and how to use each keyword.
  • ioweu - Current fees broken down by barcodes
  • isbn - Texting the letters "ISBN” + a 10- or 13-digit ISBN number to search the library catalog. Useful if you are in a bookstore and want to check library holdings.
  • mycards - Lists the cards you've registered
  • resend - Resend the last message from Shoutbomb.
  • switchphone - switch carriers or phone numbers. If switching numbers it will ask for your card number.
  • quit – turn off the text messaging service.

Can I Associate More than One Library Card to A Text Message Number?

Yes. After receiving any text from the service, send a reply text with the term ADDCARD and respond to the prompts. You will need the other library barcode.


How Do I Quit Using Text Notices from Shoutbomb?

To end all text notifications, and cancel your registration, text the message QUIT to 833-568-6639. Reply to the instructions from Shoutbomb. If you run into any additional issues, text the message STOP to completely remove your barcode from the Shoutbomb service. This will end messages from coming in.

You will also want to go INTO your CountyCat account and remove the text message number from your record.


Do Text Notices Replace Email or Phone Notices?

No. Shoutbomb is the company MCFLS contracts with for text notices. This is separate and secondary to the email, phone and paper notices our library system provides through our system software.

If you sign up for text notices, you will receive other email or phone notices for hold pickups, items due soon and overdue items.


Are returned materials being quarantined?

Some member libraries place returned library materials into a 24-hour quarantine. The items are then backdated upon checkin to reflect the actual return date.Please reach out to a specific library if you have more questions.


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  • Hoopla Bonus Borrows available February 2022
  • CountyCat Mobile app has an update

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709 North Eighth Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-286-3210

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