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Tech @ the Library
New, simpler checkouts at Madison Public Library
Madison Public Library reopens with new RFID system to speed up checkouts. Work has been going on behind the scenes for some time to place RFID (Radio-frequency identification) tags in every item in the Madison Public Library, and MPL was closed on Monday and Tuesday of this week (March 8-9) to finish the installation. As a result, checking out books at MPL is much simpler!
To check out a book, scan your library card, place your items on the platform, and take your receipt:
There are new security gates set up at the entrance to Madison Public Library:
If an item that hasn't been checked out goes through the gates, a buzzer will sound and the gates will light up, like this:
(See the full flickr photoset here.)
Thank you for your patience while MPL was closed for two days. We hope you'll agree that the quicker, easier system was worth the wait.
Heritage Quest is back!
We've prepared a quick tutorial on how to access Heritage Quest at home using your library card number and PIN.
To access Heritage Quest at home, click "advanced search" in the Rocket Search area on the front page of our website, hmcpl.org:
Next, type in your library card number and PIN number:
Once you have logged in, scroll through the database list until you see the database labeled "Heritage Quest Online". Clicking the "Heritage Quest Online" button will provide you with access to all of the Heritage Quest databases offered by the library.
Thank you for your understanding while we migrated from hpl.lib.al.us to hmcpl.org!
Website focus groups
We'll be traveling to various library branches and departments through February 26 to get your feedback about our new changes to the website, and feedback on our future website plans. The focus groups will be thirty minutes long and held
- Monday, February 22: Tillman Hill Public Library (Hazel Green), 1pm - 1:30pm
- Monday, February 22: Madison Public Library, 5:30pm-6:00pm
- Tuesday, February 23: Elizabeth Carpenter Library of New Hope, 11:00am-11:30am
- Tuesday, February 23: Youth Services at Main Library, 5:30pm-6:00pm
- Tuesday, February 23: Main Library (2nd Floor Regional Computer Training Center), 7:00pm-7:30pm
- Wednesday, February 24: Youth Services at Main Library, 11:00am-11:30am
- Wednesday, February 24: Main Library (2nd Floor Regional Computer Training Center), 2:00pm-2:30pm
- Thursday, February 25: Main Library (2nd Floor Regional Computer Training Center), 10:00am-10:30am
- Thursday, February 25: Showers Center Library, 4:00pm-4:30pm
- Friday, February 26: Bailey Cove Branch Library, 10:00am-10:30am
Updates on website upgrade
We're still working on a few issues from our migration to hmcpl.org. The 'My Account' page is still currently disabled. To renew items or place holds, visit our catalog directly. Access to Heritage Quest is back! Go here to learn how to access it from home using RocketSearch.
We're also gradually rolling out new features to help you stay more in touch with your library, including an RSS feed of front-page news and a simplified mobile version of our site at m.hmcpl.org.
Thank you for being understanding while we make this move!
Keep track of your books with Library Elf
Need help keeping track of what library materials your family checks out? Library Elf can help. Learn more about it
Coming Oct. 1: online holds!
Get the books you want at your branch! Starting October 1, you'll be able to place a hold on a book through our online catalog and have that book delivered to your local branch for you to pick up. Stay tuned for details!
