"My Library Account" Basics

Before accessing your online library account, you must possess a library card and register as an online library patron.

How To Apply For An Adult Library Card

If you're a resident or taxpayer of the Sachem Central School District, you are eligible for a Sachem library card. Your Sachem library card is your passport to a variety of library services, privileges and activities.

Adult applicants must show current proof of residence or ownership when applying for a library card. Examples of valid forms of identification include:

Driver's License/non-driver ID
Automobile registration
Automobile Insurance ID card
Utility or credit card bill (within 60 days)
Bank statement
Pay stub
Lease/deed/tax bill

Applicants can either complete an online library card application or apply in person at the Library's Circulation Desk.

Applying For Children's and Teen Cards

A child/teen under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian when applying for a Library Card. Your child, from infancy through the 5th grade, is eligible for a Children's Library Card. When you register your child, you may choose to deny your child access to materials shelved in the Media Room, adult/teen collections and/or Internet on the Library computers. Please stop by the Circulation Desk to review and change these access decisions at any time.

Upon completion of 5th grade, a child is eligible for a Teen Library Card. Your child must show a 5th grade report card. If your child's card has not expired, your child can receive a Teen card without you, the parent/guardian being present. You may, however, wish to reevaluate your access decisions for your child at this time.

Library Card Renewals

Your library card is valid for 3 years. In order to renew your card, you must present proof of residency or ownership within the district. Library cards must be clear of all delinquencies and/or fines before they can be renewed.
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Registering for "My Library Account"

You must register to use the "My Library Account" Feature.

Getting Started

The first time you register your account, you must have your library card available.

First, access the Sachem Library web site home page: http://www.sachemlibrary.org/ (You may also login from any page on our site that includes the "My Account" button on the top navigation bar, including this page you're currently reading. Please continue to step 2.)
Next, place the mouse over the "My Account" option on top of the navigation bar, and then click on "Sign In" when it appears on the drop-down menu.
Enter the Barcode from the back of your library card into the indicated space on the site.
Type a password into the "Password" field.
Click Go or press Enter.
You will be asked to re-enter your new password for verification.

Once in your library account, you may change your contact information to include a username in place of your bar code to sign-in in the future. You also may change your password by clicking "Change Your Password." Once in the account, you can also modify other contact information, such as an e-mail address, within your account by selecting "Change My Contact Information" and completing the fields required.

Password Change/Forgot

If you have forgotten your password, click on the Forgot password link shown on the sign-in screen. Your password information will then be e-mailed to you.
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"My Account" Features

Your library account online permits you to have control of many features without even leaving your home.

To find out when borrowed materials are due, click on "Items currently checked out."
To renew borrowed materials, select "Items currently checked out". You can sort by date, or can renew all items, or renew selected materials. Select items by clicking within the box to the left. If no renewal is available, no check box will appear. (Note: You may not renew items which have outstanding reserves, are overdue, or if have achieved a maximum number of renewals.) To determine if you have successfully renewed an item, check the "status" column for confirmation.

Example:
DUE 11-14-07 RENEWED
Now due 12-12-07 Renewed 1 time
To request an item, click on "Search the Catalog", and select your search criteria (author, title, subject etc.). When you've found the item you are looking for, click on the title. The owning locations and statuses will appear. Click the red "Request Item" button at the top of the screen. The login screen will appear. Enter your bar code and password information. A message that your request was successful will appear.
Example: Your request for Bouquet was successful.
To cancel a request, click on "requests (holds)." Select the requests you wish to cancel by clicking in the box next to the title on the left side and click the "Update List" button. The canceled request will be removed from the list.
To "freeze" requests, select the requests you wish to "freeze" by clicking in the box next to the title on the right side and click the "Update List" button. Your requests will be suspended until you "unfreeze" them. Your requests will not become available and you will not lose your place in queue. When you are available to check out items, you can "unfreeze" your requests. This option is particularly useful if you expect to be unavailable for material retrieval. Please note that your requested materials will not become available until you "unfreeze" your requests.
Preferred Searches is a list of catalog searches that you have saved. An e-mail of newly added titles, which may be of interest to you based on your preferred searches, will be sent.
My Ratings is a feature which lists all of the items you have borrowed which you rated. You can rate the items you have checked out by clicking on "Items checked out" and clicking on the stars in the rating column.
My Lists is a feature which is created while searching the catalog. "My Lists" saves titles which you would like to Request or borrow in the future. This feature will also alert you to possibly duplicating what you may have already checked out by comparing your list with your Reading History list.
My Reading History is a feature that maintains a list of books you've borrowed. To activate this feature, select "Opt In." A history of your borrowed and returned items will now begin. You may delete any or all items in the list at any time. To refrain from recording a list of items you have borrowed, click "Opt Out."
To Register For E-Mail Notifications, click on "Change My Contact Information" and complete the e-mail portion of the form. This option permits you to receive updates when borrowed items are due, when reserved items are available, and reminders for overdue items.

Pay Fines On-line

Sachem Library fines and bills totaling over $.01 may be paid online using Visa© and MasterCard©. Within the "My Account" section, select "Unpaid fines and bills." Click on "Pay Your Library Fines Online", and select the fines you wish to pay. Complete the form and click "Submit."

Items	Loan period	Fines per day	Renewal *
New Books, adult	14 days	.05 cents	2 times
Fiction and non-fiction books Adult, Children's and Teen	28 days	.05 cents	5 times
Magazines	14 days	.50 cents	2 times
Non-fiction videos/DVD's	14 days	.50 cents	2 times
Music CD's	14 days	.50 cents	2 times
New DVD's (holdable)	4 days	.50 cents	Not renewable
DVD's	7 days	.50 cents	2 times
Quik Flix (not holdable)	2 days	.50 cents	Not renewable
CD ROM's	14 days	.50 cents	5 times
Audio books	28 days	.50 cents	5 times
Inter Library Loaned	Dependent on	Lending library

Maximum fine for each item is $3.00
*You may call or visit us in person or on-line to renew your items.
*Items may not be renewed if there are outstanding requests.