Help with Your Account

Your Patron Account accesses your account info, including holds, blocks, items checked out and due date(s).  You may reserve and renew most items.

 LOGGING IN:

Click the Your Patron Account link.  Enter your Patron Barcode (the long number that appears on your library card) in the indicated box.  In the box labeled "Enter Your Pin #", enter the last 4 digits of your home telephone number (unless you have previously arranged for something else as your pin number).  Click "Login."

You will be taken to Account Overview, which includes four sections.  Click on any of the headings to go to that section:

• Items Out -- Library material checked out to you, including the original checkout date and due date.
• Hold Requests -- Items you have placed on hold, their status, your position on the holds list, and date the hold expires.  To change the status of an item or cancel it, check the empty box next to the title, then click either "Change Status" or "Cancel Request."
• Blocks -- Fines or blocks on your card.
• Profile -- Your name, address, phone number, and other info.

 PLACING HOLDS (RESERVING ITEMS):

1. Search the catalog (by clicking on the "LINC" tab) to find the item you want.  You may search a variety of ways (title, author, subject, keyword, etc.) by entering your search terms and clicking the arrow next to the search box to select the appropriate index.  For additional information about searching, or other LINC functions, visit our LINC Help Screen.
2. Once you have found the item you want, click its title.  A full record will appear listing details about the item.  At the bottom of the page is a green/tan box labeled "Copy/Holding Information."  If the item is owned by Danville Public Library, this will be indicated here.  If the box is empty, the item is owned by another library in the Lincoln Trail system.  Click "Other Locations" to find out who owns it.
3. Click the box "Request Any Copy."  If you are not already logged in to your account, the computer will prompt you to do so.
4. A Request Confirmation will appear.  By default, requested items are sent to your home library [i.e. where you received your card], but you may change the pickup location at this point.  You must click "Request" to complete the transaction.  If successful, a confirmation message will appear.  If unsuccessful, an error message will appear.  Note that an error message will appear if you attempt to reserve an item you have already placed on hold.

Items may also be reserved in person or by phone (217-477-5220).

 RENEWING ITEMS:

Click "Items Out" in the "Account Overview" section (described above in "Logging In").  To renew an item, check the empty box to the left of the item's title, then click the "Renew" box.  If the renewal is successful, the new due date will appear.  

Items may also be renewed in person or by phone (217-477-5220).

NOTE: Not all items may be renewed.  This includes items which are on hold for another patron; items which have already been renewed the maximum number of times; and certain types of material, such as some audiovisual items.  In all of these cases, a message will appear in red indicating that the material was not renewed.