How to Use PrairieCat

PrairieCat, our online catalog, can help you:

• Find books, movies, music, audiobooks, and more
• Place items on hold
• Renew your materials
• Check your account

How to Find a Book

Click on the SEARCH THE CATALOG button above to find a book, magazine, video, DVD, music CD, audiobook, or reference material.

To get started:

• Type in your search words - no punctuation or capitalization is necessary.

Choose a type of search:

• words or phrases
• author
• title
• subject
• series title
• periodical title

Choose a library to search:

• Reddick Library only
• ALL libraries in the Prairie Area Library System

Start your search:

• Hit enter on your keyboard or click SEARCH.

Your Search Results

The SEARCH RESULTS list will tell you how many items were found. The list (if more than one item was found) will display by date of publication, with the newest items at the top of the list.

Some of the selections will show a book cover. Click on the picture of the book or click on the MORE INFO button to access the complete record.

Many of the items in the catalog, especially newer items, have book summaries, book reviews, tables of contents, and sometimes a sample chapter.

To Place an Item on Hold

If the item you want is available for checkout, you will see its location and call number under ITEM INFORMATION.

If the item has been checked out or if you are searching a library other than Reddick, you can place a hold on the item and it will be reserved for you.

To place a hold, click on the blue PLACE HOLD button on the left side of the screen. Enter your 14-digit library card number and your PIN number (last 4 digits of your library card unless you have changed it). Then select the library where you would like the material sent.

Click on PLACE HOLD. Our staff will contact you when the item is ready for pick up. Holds can be cancelled in the REVIEW MY ACCOUNT section of MY ACCOUNT.

To Renew Items

Go to MY ACCOUNT. Click on RENEW MY MATERIALS and enter your full 14-digit library card number and PIN (last 4 digits of card number unless you have changed it).

Click on LIST CHARGED ITEMS.

Click on RENEW ALL or select the items to renew.

Click on RENEW SELECTED ITEMS at the bottom of the page.

NOTE: Items that are overdue cannot be renewed online. Please call us directly at 815-434-0509 to renew overdue materials.

To Change Your PIN

The default PIN is the last four digits of your library card number. For added security, you may change it to an individual PIN. To do this, go to MY ACCOUNT and click on USER PIN CHANGE.

Enter your library card number and your current PIN.

Enter your new password in ENTER NEW PIN and then retype your new password in RE-ENTER NEW PIN. Click on CHANGE PIN.

Remember your PIN, this will allow you to gain access to your account. Be sure to log off when you are finished!

Need Help with PrairieCat?

Call, or stop by the Reference Desk for help using PrairieCat.