Did you know that you can look up available books, movies, and music from home? All of this information is available on our website through the library catalog. The catalog tells you:  

• • What items are available at the library
  • Where those items are located 
  • If the items are checked out and when they are due 

Through the catalog, you can also have an item delivered to any library in Allegheny County, get on the waiting list for an item that is checked out and log in to your account to see what you have checked out, create lists or submit purchase suggestions.  

You can search the catalog on any computer, phone or tablet by visiting www.carnegielibrary.org. 

To search for an item with the catalog:  

1. 1. Go to the library’s homepage. 
   2. Click on the Search 🔎 in the top-right corner of the page, enter your search item and click the ◻️search the catalog.
   3. Click on the magnifying glass next to where you typed when you are ready to start your search. 

Try It Out – Looking for a book at the library? Try going through the steps on your own to begin your search!  

You have now entered the catalog with your search. From here, you can narrow down your search results with the different options provided under the heading “Filter Results” on the left of your screen. These options allow you to view items available at specific locations, by different material types, subjects, languages and other categories. Scroll down to view items that were found in your search. 

Try It Out – Narrow down the results of the item you searched for using the “Filter your results by..” Click on “Available Now” to find the library of your choice. Next, click on “Format” to find the specific item format you’re looking for. Use the other filter options below that to narrow your search further.

*Note – If your search is not returning any results after using multiple filter options, try broadening your search by taking out some of the filters that you set.  

To create an account for your library card with the catalog:  

1. 1. While still in the catalog, select the option in the upper right corner of the screen labeled “Log In / My Account.” 
   2. Enter your library card barcode number in the Username or Barcode text box and your 4-digit PIN text box. *Note – Don’t know your PIN? Select the “Forgot your PIN?” link or contact the library to help! 
   3. Once you are logged in, search for the item you want to place on hold with the text box at the top of the page. After you’ve typed in what you want to search for, make sure to click on the magnifying glass next to where you typed. 
   4. After locating the item you want to place on hold, select the green “Place hold” button.  *Note – If there are multiple formats or editions of an item, those will appear below the title/author details with individual ‘Place hold’ buttons next to each format/edition.  
   5. A drop-down menu will appear that lets you select your pickup location from any library in Allegheny County (including Bookmobile stops!). Choose your preferred library from the list and select the “✔️Place hold” button. You have now placed an item on hold through the library’s catalog.  

A confirmation message will appear below that item telling you the hold was placed successfully. Depending on your notification preferences you setup with your library card, you will receive either a phone call or email when the item is ready for you to pick up. Click here to learn more about how to receive text notifications.

Try It Out – Get the item you searched for sent to your preferred library! Follow the steps to put the item on hold, and you’ll be notified when it’s ready for pick up!