Reading are in the library

How to Use the Catalogue

How to Use the Catalogue

If you've wished for an easier, more powerful, and visual way to hunt for your next read, you'll love our BiblioCommons catalogue. Take a few moments to get registered and explore all the catalogue features.

Search the Catalogue

You can access the Library catalogue and your Library account at anytime from anywhere.

Anyone can search the Library catalogue through this website. Patrons may use their Port Hope Public Library cards and PIN (last 4 digits of your phone number) to register on the catalogue. Port Hope Public Library has joined the Ontario Library Consortium so take note that some catalogue content is shared.

Our Catalogue features:

  • Smart Search, keyword searching that is intuitive, corrects spelling
  • Placing holds is easy, formats and copies are clearly indicated
  • Patrons can choose to save their borrowing history
  • Patrons can create content and share it with the library community

We think Port Hope Public Library patrons are going to love the Bibliocommons catalogue. You will need to spend a few moments registering to take advantage of all the catalogue features.

How do I register on the catalogue? Go to the Log In page. The link is at the top-right of the screen Log In / My PHPL. Enter your 14-digit library card number, without spaces, and your PIN (the last four digits of your phone number). If you haven’t registered before, you’ll be taken to the registration page.

Why do I have to register? Registration is a one-time process that allows you to create an easy-to-remember login name (username) that you can use instead of your card number to check your account. Registration allows you to take advantage of all catalogue features and share your love of reading with the library community.

Why do I have to create a username? You can always login with your username or your library card number. That’s up to you. The reason we require all users to select a username is because the catalogue has additional (optional) functionality, like commenting on books and keeping track of your reading on shelves. And to support this, we need all users to create a username.

Tips on creating your username Your username must be unique, but otherwise you have a great deal of flexibility when you create a username. The name can be up to 24 characters long, and you can use any combination of letters and numbers, as well as underscores ( _ ). It cannot consist entirely of numbers, nor use spaces nor other non-alphanumeric characters. The best username is one that is easy for you to remember. You can use your real name, but something more anonymous is recommended. Remember that the public comments which you post will include your username. You can also change your username at any time. Keep in mind that any content you added previously will show your new username.