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How to use the online library

Using the online library

The online library can be used without logging in. Many of the services, such as renewing your loans, making holds and editing your profile, can be done only after logging in with your library card number and a 4-digit PIN code.

You can find help and tips for searching the online library here: Search instructions

Logging in to the online library

The login button is located on the upper right-hand corner of every page in the online library. The button is displayed both as a symbol and as large-font text when using large screens.

login button

When accessing the online library on a smartphone and other narrow screen devices, the login button is displayed only as a symbol.

login button on a mobile device

You login to the online library with your library card number and your 4-digit PIN code. If you have forgot your PIN code, you can obtain a new one by visiting your library and proving your identity to the library staff. If you cannot visit the library, please contact the library's phone or online chat service.

login window

Your account

your account menu

Renewing your loans, placing holds and other services that require logging in can be found under their respective tabs in the Your Account menu. In desktop view, the Your Account menu is shown on the left side of the page. In mobile view, the menu is located in the right-hand end of the blue ribbon.

Logging out

When you wish to log out of the online library, click your name on the upper section of the page and then click the Log Out button.

Renewing loans

You find all your loans on the Your Checked Out Items tab. You can renew your loans by either choosing individual items on the list or by checking the box Select all. After doing so, choose Renew Selected Items and make sure that the renewal of the desired items was successful. Renewing all loans at once is also possible by choosing the option Renew All Items.

renewing loans

Placing holds in the online library

You can place holds on material by using the online library. First, find the material you wish to place on hold using the search bar. You can narrow down the search results according to, for example, language and material type by using the filters on the left-hand side of the page. To place a hold on an item, open the item's information page by clicking its headline in the search results.

If you are not logged in, choose the Login to place a hold button and log in with your library card number and PIN code. If you are already logged in, choose Place a hold on this title.

making a reservation

Placing a hold is free of charge. If you do not collect the reserved material by the last pickup date, you will be charged an uncollected reservation fee of of 2 EUR. Choose Municipality or Region from the Request from drop-down menu depending on the type of your hold request (regular hold or a regional hold).

Select a pickup location where you wish to have the material transported for you to pick up. Finish the hold by choosing Submit Request.

selecting a pickup location for the reservation

Changing holds

You can change the pickup location of your holds or cancel your hold requests in the online library, if they have not yet been processed or if the requested item is not yet in transport or available to be collected. If your hold request has already been processed, please contact the library that you selected as your pickup location.

You can change the pickup location in the Your Holds and Recalls section of your account. Each hold has an Edit-link, where you can change the pickup location. In the same place you can temporarily suspend the hold, for example during a holiday, or set the hold to end on a certain day.

Saved searches and scheduled alerts

The online library automatically saves all your searches even if you were not logged in. Clearing your Internet browser's cache or shutting down the browser will delete these searches. In order to access your search history, choose the Search history option the top of the page or choose Saved searches on your profile account.

You can save your searches permanently in your profile and receive scheduled alerts on its results. The scheduled alerts send you a notification into your email, when items relevant to search query have been added to the library's database. This helps you to, for example, follow your favourite author's newest works or new books related to a subject that interests you, and thus helps you to place holds on such items as soon as the library acquires them.

Start using the scheduled alerts by first searching for the material you desire. You can perform a search by using, for example, the author's name or a subject keyword. If necessary, you can also narrow the search down to, e.g. books in your native language or only e-books. When you find the desired material, choose Saved searches from the menu that opens up by clicking your name in the upper right-hand corner.

saved searches

On the Saved searches tab you find your latest searches. The search is automatically saved with a scheduled alert, if you select the new material search to happen Daily or Weekly from the Alert schedule drop-down menu. After saving the scheduled alerts, you will receive an email notification, when the library adds new books or other material relevant to your search into the database.

scheduled alerts

By pressing the plus (+) icon you can also save the search without setting an alert schedule. By choosing this, you will not receive notifications of new material, but you can perform the same search again without having to set the search preferences each time separately.

The scheduled alerts and saved searches are shown on the top of the Saved searches tab. You can change the alert schedule in the drop-down menu. You can remove the scheduled alerts by clicking the cross (X) icon next to each saved search.

You will find the email address to which the scheduled alert will be sent on the top of the tab. You can change this by choosing the edit link.

settings for the scheduled alerts

Favourites

You can create one or several favourite lists in the online library. The lists are useful for different purposes: you can list, for example, books that you have read, materials for education courses, movie tips or your favourite music albums. The lists are private by default and can be shown only by logging into your account, but, if you wish, you can share them to your friends or on the social media.

Adding books and other items on favourite lists is easy. You can add an item directly from the search results page by pressing the pin icon next to the name of an item.

pin button in a search result

In the menu that pops up, you can choose one of your existing lists or create a new one. Adding a description text is optional and it is shown on the list in addition to the item's original information. You can add the same item on multiple lists if necessary, and on different lists it can have separate description texts.

selecting a list and adding a note

If you choose to create a new list, a new form opens up to fill out the new list's information. You can choose if the list is private or public. A private list is only shown to you on your own account. A public list can be viewed by anyone, when you share its link. You can change the description texts and privacy settings on the Favourites tab.

creating a new list

In order to view and edit your favourite lists, click your name on the upper right-hand corner of the page and choose Favourites.

On the Favourites tab you can edit the descriptions of your favourite lists, as well as the items on them, edit preferences, remove items from a list and share item information. You can edit the information by using the pencil icons.

If you wish to share item information via email, choose the desired items on a favourite list and select the Email button. The online library will send the basic information of the selected items to an email address you provide.

sharing or sending a list

To share a public list, select Public list link on the left side of the page. Clicking this link opens a new tab into your browser, and you can copy the URL shown on the URL bar of that tab. The view that opens up on the new tab is the same as the one other users see when browsing the list via the link you share them.

copying the list's URL from the browser URL bar

Changing your PIN code

To change your PIN code, go to the Profile tab. You can access this by clicking on your own name shown on the upper right-hand corner of the page. Change the code by clicking Change PIN Code of the Library Card button.

In order to change the PIN code, you are required to enter your current PIN code. The new PIN code needs to be entered twice in order to avoid mistyping it.

changing the PIN code

Editing your personal contact information

You can edit your personal contact information on the Profile tab. To change your telephone number or email address, enter the new information into the respective fields and click the Save personal information button. You will receive a confirming notification on the top of the tab.

In order to change your address, fill out the form that opens up by clicking the Change address link.

your personal details page

You will see your current address information on the form that opens up after clicking the link. Update your information on the text fields and save the changes by selecting Send. You will receive a confirming notification on the screen shortly.

changing your address

A name change cannot be applied through the online library. You can update your name information by visiting your local library. You will require a photo ID to confirm your identity.

Editing the notification settings

You can change your notifications settings on the Profile tab. Current settings are shown on the top of the page. To edit them, select the link Change Notification Settings.

change notification settings button

A due date reminder can be sent to your email from 1 to 5 days before due date. The due date is valid/obligatory even if the customer never received a due date reminder. Please note that if you choose "0 days before due date", no reminder will be sent!

Pickup notices and overdue warnings can be sent via email, an SMS message or regular post. Click the Send button to save the changes. It will take a moment before the updated changes are visible in the online library.

editing your notification settings

Loan history

If you wish, you can save your loan history. It is not automatically saved, and you are required to turn it on manually. In the section Loan history retention, choose Forever. Your loan history will be saved into the library's system starting from your next borrowed item.

N.B. If you wish to turn the loan history retention off, you can choose Never. In this case, all your loan history saved so far will be deleted.

loan history settings

Once you have turned your loan history to be saved, all items borrowed will be found on the Loan History subsection of the Checked Out Items / Holds and Recalls tab of Your Account. You can arrange your loan history by the checkout or return date (oldest or newest first), by author or by title.

sample loan history

Family account and multiple library cards

Multiple library cards can be linked to your online library account. This allows you to manage all of these cards and, for example, renew all their loans with one login. You also can use this, for example, to supervise the due dates of your children's loans via your account.

In order to use this feature, you are required to know the library card numbers and the PIN codes of the cards you desire to add to your account. All library cards linked to your account can be given nicknames.

Linking a library card

Login to the online library with your library card number and your PIN code.

linking a library card to your account

Select Your Account and choose the Library Cards tab. Here you can add a new card by clicking the Connect library/parallel card button.

Type in the information for the new card: library card name, library card number and PIN code. Accept by clicking Save.

Switching your cards

switching which card to use

After adding the desired cards, your family members' loans and information are shown on respective tabs, when you select a card's name on the drop-down menu.

You can also quickly switch your card, for example, when placing requests and holds. Switch the card by clicking your name on the upper right-hand corner and choose the card you wish to use.

Editing card information

You can change the cards' names, usernames and passwords on the Library Cards tab. Click the link Update card name/username/PIN code. You can remove a card from your account by clicking Disconnect Library Card on the Library Cards tab.

Please remember that a guardian is required to disconnect the library cards of over 15-year-old card holders.

Mobile library card

The mobile card allows you to borrow with your mobile device (e.g. smartphone). The mobile card acts as a transaction tool at lending counters and machines, and in the login units of self-service libraries.

You can access your mobile card by logging in to Keski-Finna with a mobile device browser:

  • Log in to the online library (keski.finna.fi) on your mobile device with your library card number and PIN code
  • Select your account
  • Select Library Cards from the list
    • Your own library card appears in the card list as a library card number
    • Any parallel cards added to the account will be displayed with the names assigned to them
    • You can use any card on the list as a mobile card
      (The lending machine will ask for the PIN code of the selected card when borrowing)

Kuva verkkokirjaston kirjastokortit-sivusta.

Kuva verkkokirjaston kirjastokortit-sivusta.

Kuva verkkokirjaston kirjastokortit-sivusta.