How to Find Items in SearchOhio

Use the library’s catalog to perform a search.  If the item is not at any Portage Library Consortium library, you will see a message saying, “This search returned no results.  Continue your search in SearchOhio.”  Click on the link to continue in the SearchOhio system.  If you also do not see the item listed on the results page there, click on the “Search OhioLINK” icon at the top of the page.

If an item is in the local system, but no copies are currently available, look for and click on the SearchOhio icon in the upper right of the page.  You may need to retype your search.

 

Note that you will only see an icon to take you into the OhioLINK catalog after you have done a search in SearchOhio first.

Requesting the Item

To request an item, first click on the title to view the item record screen, which lists “Library Holdings.”  At least one item must have the “Request Status” of “Available” in order to place a request.

After you verify that a copy is available, click on “Request Item.”  On the “With Which Library Are You Affiliated?” drop down menu, choose “Portage Library Consortium” (Note: “Kent Free Library” is not listed.  You then will need to type in your name and the barcode number from the back of your library card (with no spaces) and to choose your preferred pickup location from the drop down list.  Click on Submit, and you will receive confirmation of your request.

What Happens Next?

It usually takes 10 – 15 business days for an available item to be delivered.  You will receive a call, text, or e-mail when the item arrives.  After you are notified, you have 7 days to pick up the item before it is returned to the owning library.

DVDs, Blu-rays, and Videos from SearchOhio and OhioLINK check out for 7 days.  All other materials check out for 21 days.  Be sure to note the due date(s) on your receipt.  You may renew SearchOhio and OhioLINK materials 3 times as long as another request has not been placed on the item at the owning library.  Renewals cannot be done online through your account; please call the Borrower Services Department at 330.673.4414.

Please note that the late fees for SearchOhio and OhioLINK items are $0.50 per day.  Lost or damaged items will be billed for $25.

Troubleshooting

Message: Cannot request items that are available at your institution.

As long as there is a copy of an item anywhere in Portage County, you cannot request the item through Search Ohio.  Go to the local catalog, do your search, and request the item from a library in the local system.

Sorry, your ID number is not valid

You may have entered your library of affiliation or the barcode incorrectly.  Try again, and be sure you choose Portage Library Consortium.  Also make sure to enter only your Last Name and to enter the barcode accurately with no spaces.

Message: Problem with your record at your institution.

To request items from Search Ohio, you must have less than $10 in fines on your card and/or no billed items.  You also must have no more than 25 total items on hold on your card.  Check Your Account to see your fines and holds.

No notification after a week.

It can take up to 15 days for a Search Ohio request to be processed.  You may call the Kent Free Library to check status.  Occasionally, the lending library cannot find an item and your request will be cancelled.

Phone calls or emails are not coming through.

Call the library at 330.673.4414 to make sure that we have your information correct on your patron record and that we have your notification preference (phone, text, or e-mail) checked.  If your information is correct, the problem might be that the recorded message on your answering machine is too long and our message to you is not recording.  If you’ve specified to be contacted by e-mail, check your spam folder to make sure our message is not being filtered and add this address to your address book: [email protected].