Using HIP

You can now check your library record from home. Find out what items you have out, renew materials, and place or cancel requests for library materials, all while searching the library catalog through HIP.

Logging in

To check your patron record:

• Go to HIP

• Select the "My Account Login" tab from the top navigation bar.

• In the box marked Borrower Barcode, enter the 14-digit number on the back of your library card, directly under your barcode.

• In the box marked PIN Number, enter your PIN. Unless you have changed it, your default PIN is the last four digits of your phone number.

• Click the "Login" button.

The Overview screen lists the items you currently have checked out, your outstanding holds, any fines/blocks on your account, and your patron profile. These categories can be accessed by clicking on their titles or on their corresponding tabs in the top navigation bar.

Viewing Items Checked Out & Renewing Items

• Click on the Checked Out/Renew link.

All items currently checked out to you will be displayed, including the item information, the date you checked the item out, and the due date for the item.

• To renew items, check the box beside each item you would like to renew, and click the "Renew" button. To renew all items, check the top check box to select all items, and click the "Renew" button.

If we are unable to renew an item, an error message will appear. Please note that we cannot renew items for which other people have placed requests. Additionally, we do place limits on the number of times items may be renewed. All items except videos may be renewed twice; videos may not be renewed.

Placing Hold Requests

You can place a hold request on any circulating item in the catalog. If the item is owned by Tewksbury and the catalog indicates that it is "Checked In," call the circulation desk at 978.640.4490, ext. 202 to place the hold. If our copy is "Checked Out," or another library owns the item you want, you can place a hold request from the online catalog.

• Search HIP to find the item you want.

• Each record retrieved by HIP will list brief publication information, as well as location and status information if the item is owned by Tewksbury. Click on the title in order to display the full catalog record.

• If there is no Copy/Holding information listed, this indicates that Tewksbury does not own the item. Click the "Other Locations" button to display MVLC libraries who own the item.

• To request the item, click the "Request Item" button located next to the publication information for the item.

• If you are already logged in to your patron account, you will be brought to the request confirmation immediately. If you need to log in, you will be asked for your Borrower Barcode and your PIN Number. Your Borrower ID is the 14-digit number located on the back of your library card. Your PIN number is the last four digits of your phone number.

• You will be asked to choose the location where you want to pick up the item. If you wish to change the location where you can pick up the material, pull down the menu and select another member library.

• To complete your request, click the "Request" button.

• If you wish to continue searching and adding items to your request list, click the "Return to Searching" button. Otherwise, click the "Logout and Return" button, and you will be returned to the library catalog.

• To view your outstanding holds, click the "Holds" tab in the top navigation bar.

This screen will list items which are ready for pickup, as well as outstanding holds not yet available.

• To delete a hold, check the delete hold box next to the item you wish to delete. Click the "Cancel Request" button.

Logging Out

• For your security, please remember to log out of the system after each session. You can do this by clicking the "Click Here to Logout" link in the upper right hand corner of the screen.