Troubleshooting FAQs

  • General Questions

    To activate, or register, your library card for use with the library's catalog, click or touch the blue and white Log In/My ELPL button located in the top right corner of every page of elpl.org:

    Log In to your library account by clicking/touching this button.

    A drop-down menu will appear.  Click or touch the green and white Log In/Register button:

    A login page will appear.  In the Username or Library Card Number field, enter your entire 14 digit library card number, with no spaces.
    In the PIN or Password field enter your PIN.  If you have not been assigned a PIN call the Service Desk at 517-351-2420 or Contact the Library to create a PIN.

    login_dialog

    After you successfully log in the system will walk you through a few more steps, including:

    • Creating a username 
    • Confirming your email address and date of birth
    • Determining if you would like to keep track of your reading history

    Once those steps are finished you will be taken to Your Library Dashboard, where you can:

    • View and renew checked out items
    • View and manage holds
    • Submit a Suggestion for items not owned by the library
    • Create Lists of library items for yourself or to share with others
    • Add items to your Completed, In Progress, and For Later shelves to help you keep track of what you've checked out and what you would like to check out.

    hoopla help page, opens a new window

    Still having trouble?  Schedule a One on One Tech Help session., opens a new window

     

     

     

    Woodlands Overdrive support pages:

    Still having trouble?  Schedule a One on One Tech Help session., opens a new window

    If you are able to log in to your library account you can change your PIN/password from Your Library Dashboard.  From the Dashboard, click or touch the Settings icon:

    Settings icon located in the Library Dashboard

    From the settings page you can update your:

    • Email address
    • Username
    • PIN/Password
    • Saved Searches
    • Suggested Purchases
    • Community Content Defaults
    • Borrowing History
    • Shelves settings
    • Feeds settings
    • Ignored Users
    • Child Account Permissions
    • Community Credits

    If you are not able to log in to your library account you can reset your PIN/Password online as long as there is a valid email address in your library account.  To reset online:

    1.  Click or touch the blue and white Log In/My ELPL button located in the top right hand corner of any page of elpl.org:

    Log In to your library account by clicking/touching this button.

    2.  Click or touch the green and white Log In/Register button:

    3.  A Log In page will appear.  Click or touch the Forgot your PIN or Password? link and follow the prompts:

    PIN/Password reset form on elpl.org

    If you have never created a PIN and don't have an email address in your library account, call the Service Desk at 517-351-2420 or Contact the Library for technical assistance via email.  During open hours we can reset your PIN/Password.

    You can update your email address on the Library Dashboard, opens a new window.

    1. Log in, opens a new window to your account
    2. Click the Settings icon on the right side of the screen, or from the My Account drop-down.
    3. Under Account Information click Email Address.
    4. Enter your new Email Address.

     

     

    If you are logging in with your barcode number check to make sure that the number is correct.  If you have recently received a new library card you will need to use the barcode number on that card.  Your old barcode number might be saved in your browser so try typing in the new number - don't rely on the number that your browser might have saved.

    If you think your PIN/Password is at fault you can click the Forgot your PIN or Password? link on the catalog login page.

    Still having trouble?  Call the Service Desk at 517-351-2420 or email elplcirc@cityofeastlansing.com

    Complete the One on One Technology Help form, opens a new window to request help with mobile technology, social media, digital library services like hoopla and the cloudLibrary, and more.  Please note that due to COVID-19 and state and local rules, all One on One sessions will be virtual.

    Here are some things to remember when requesting a One on One:

    • One on Ones are scheduled first come, first served.  We make every effort to fulfill appointment requests as soon as possible, but during peak periods there can be a wait of 1-2 weeks.
    • Techies or librarians are not able to repair equipment or trouble-shoot hardware and software problems.
    • Patrons can use their own equipment during a One on One session, however, Techies may not be able to provide assistance for non-standard software.
    • Techies cannot give professional tax, legal or health care advice.
     

    There could be a few different reasons you may not be able to renew an item(s) from home:

    1. It has a hold (someone else is waiting for it)
    2. You have already renewed the maximum number of times -- Twice for ELPL items, once for MeLCat items
    3. Your card has expired
    4. You owe at least $15.01 in fines
    5. The item has been overdue for at least one month and has been billed to your account

    To find out which reason(s) may apply to you, call the Service Desk at (517) 351-2420 ext. 0

    There could be a couple of reasons for this:

    1. We don't have your current email address. If you would like to provide one for us or make sure we have your most recent address, stop by the library, or call us at (517) 351-2420 ext. 0.

    2. Your email service is marking our emails as SPAM or sending them to another folder. Please make sure elplcirc@cityofeastlansing.com is in your address book so it is recognized.

    As a reminder it is, ultimately, up to the individual to keep track of when their materials are due,
    and the Library is not responsible for late or non-delivery of notices.