The St. Catharines Public Library is committed to the confidentiality of customer use of its facilities, services, collections and website. The St. Catharines Public Library (SCPL) needs to share additional information with certain vendors to authenticate you into their web pages and apps.
The additional information shared with these resources does not include your borrowing history. The additional information shared includes: name, home address, email address, amount of overdue items, number of checked out items, number of items on hold, amount of fees owed, number of checkouts that are not renewable because of holds, home branch, card type, whether you are a member in good standing (customer status with SCPL), birthday, and whether you allow SCPL to contact you via email.
The library provides certain vendors with information that verifies that you are a valid library account holder only.
Some of the vendors require that you create service-specific personal accounts in order to access some of the library's digital content. The library also subscribes to some content services where creating an account is optional. The library's third-party services are governed by their own privacy policies and practices, not the library's. We advise that you consult their Terms of Services and Privacy Policies (see links below) before agreeing to use these services.
Product Name | Level of Authentication | Personal Account Required | Privacy Information | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ancestry Library | Limited | No | Privacy Statement | Terms of Service |
CBC Corner | None | No | Terms of Use | |
cloudLibrary | Full | No | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use |
Consumer Reports | Limited | No | Privacy Policy | User Agreement |
EBSCO Products | Limited | No | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use |
- Explora Canada | ||||
- Explora Children's Library | ||||
- Flipster Digital Magazines | ||||
- Maclean's Magazine Archive | ||||
- Novelist | ||||
- Novelist K-8 | ||||
FamilySearch | None | Yes | Privacy Notice | Terms of Use |
Hoopla Digital Audiobooks, eBooks, Music & Video |
Full | Yes | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service |
Kanopy, Kanopy Kids Video | Full | Yes | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service |
LinkedIn Learning | Limited | Yes | Privacy Policy | User Agreement |
Mango Language Learning | Limited | Yes | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service |
OnWebChat | None | No | Privacy Statement | Terms of Use |
NewsBank | Limited | No | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use |
PressReader | Limited | No | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use |
Salem Products | Limited | No | Privacy Policy | |
- Salem Health | ||||
- Salem History | ||||
- Salem Literature | ||||
- Salem Science | ||||
SCPL Enterprise Online Catalogue (SirsiDynix) |
Full | No | ||
SCPL Events and Services Registration (SpringShare) |
None | No | Personal Information Policy | |
SCPL Mobile App (SOLUS UK Ltd.) |
Full | No | Privacy Statement |
Port Plus allows registered Members access to the collections, public computers, Wi-Fi and space in the Port Dalhousie branch during hours Staff aren’t on site.
Registered Members will be able to use their library card to access the building during open, unstaffed hours.
Customers must register in person at an SCPL branch during regular service hours. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer registration over the phone or via email.
Port Plus will be available for SCPL cardholders who:
Port Plus registration must take place in-person at one of our branches during our regular service hours. We are unable to provide registration over the phone, by chat, or by email.
Registered Members can browse, borrow, and return items in branch collections, use computers and access Wi-Fi at the Port Dalhousie branch.
What if I need help when Staff aren’t in the branch?
Staff are present at the branch during designated times throughout the week. SCPL staff at other branches provide remote support via a dedicated video/phone link.
Additional security cameras are also on-site to monitor the branch.
The addition of Port Plus at the Port Dalhousie branch will lead to more service hours both staffed and unstaffed.
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Open | 9am – 7:30pm | 9am – 7:30pm | 9am – 7:30pm | 9am – 7:30pm | 9am – 4:30pm | 9am – 4:30pm | CLOSED |
Staffed | 10am – 3:00pm | 10am – 3:00pm | Unstaffed | 3pm – 7pm | 10am – 3:00pm | 11am – 4:00pm | CLOSED |
*Port Plus is closed during holidays.
Guidelines
Registering library cardholders ensures greater accountability and understanding of the mutual responsibilities of accessing Port Plus.
By registering for Port Plus you agree to comply with St. Catharines Public Library Policies and Procedures and accept responsibility for the space, equipment, and furniture in the branch during your visit.
Ancestry Library Edition is a genealogical collection with over 30,000 databases and billions of indexed names which cover the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Their information comes from sources such as census, vital, church, court, and immigration records as well as family histories, directories, photos, and maps. Ancestry Library Edition can only be used in the library and cannot be accessed from home.*
Ancestry Library Edition is a read-only database. While it has powerful search engines that help you pinpoint genealogical records, you’ll need a personal Ancestry.com subscription to create and edit family trees, message or collaborate with other Ancestry.com users, or access One World Tree.
* St. Catharines Public Library cardholders can access Ancestry Library Edition remotely until the end of September 2021. Under normal circumstances, this database is only accessible inside your library location.
To search Ancestry Library, click the Search tab at the top of the page to see a list of record categories. To search all types of records, click All Categories.
Search across all source types in all collections by entering first and last names in conjunction with other optional fields
For any additional details, such as gender or nationality, click the Show More Options. Once you’ve entered all the information, click Search. On the results page, use the search filters in the left sidebar to narrow down your results.
Hover your arrow over one of the results and a Preview lightbox will appear. It allows you to see some of the pertinent information of that record before you commit yourself to entering the link. It also gives you the option of viewing the details or viewing the actual image of the record if there is one.
To save a document, click the Send Document button. A pop-up will appear. Enter and confirm the email address and then click the Send Email button. Ancestry will send you a link to a Discovery Page where you can view and download your finds.
To start a Card Catalogue search, click the Search tab and select the Card Catalogue category. All databases in Ancestry Library Edition are listed in the card catalogue and are available to search individually or as groups. There are filters available to help narrow a search including Collection, Date, Languages and Location. To start a search, click the collection link.
This database contains family trees submitted to Ancestry by users who have indicated that their tree can be viewed by all Ancestry users. These trees can change over time as users modify data in their trees. One advantage to searching family trees is that a lot of the work connecting ancestors have already been done by other people. PLEASE NOTE: this feature is read-only for users of Ancestry Library Edition as Family Tree Maker software will not link to Ancestry Library Edition.
To search public member trees on Ancestry Library, click the Public Member Trees link under Quick Links on the homepage. Enter specific information for a member of the family tree you’re searching for, and when finished, click the Search button. When you’ve found what you’re looking for, click the link for that family tree.
Once on a family member’s profile page, click the green Family Tree button in the upper left-hand corner. Once the family tree opens, click and drag your mouse to navigate the tree. To view a relative’s record, click a tile. To search, click Tree Search.
Ancestry Library’s Family Tree creation service is unavailable through the Library Edition, but that does not mean you cannot compose a family tree. There are several online sites that allow for the creation of free family trees, and can be used to manually track the names and information you find on Ancestry Library. Some great sites for this include Family Search and FamilyTree.com. For a completely manual tree, chart creators like Draw.io allow users to create flowcharts that can easily be used as family trees.
With Ancestry Library Edition, you will be able to look at world government and public records, such as census, birth, marriage and death, immigration, military, plus published sources like city directories. You'll also be able to save digitized record files to your home computer/device and view public family trees created by Ancestry.com members.
For general genealogical research questions, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. our Special Collections department or check out Ancestry.com’s YouTube channel.
Ancestry Library Edition is a commercial service whose policies concerning privacy and user information differ from that of the St. Catharines Public Library. For more information, please read Ancestry Library Edition’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) is an online educational platform that helps you discover and develop business, technology-related, and creative skills through expert-led course videos and podcasts.
Stay up to date on technology, business, creative and life skills by accessing 16,000+ online courses and tutorials.
If you previously had a Lynda.com account, your history will migrate to the new platform.
Our library’s ID on the LinkedIn Learning app is myscpl
No, users will only need their SCPL library card number and PIN to access LinkedIn Learning.
No, the library version of LinkedIn Learning cannot connect with a personal LinkedIn accounts.
Although you cannot directly connect to your personal LinkedIn account, you still have the option to download the certificate from LinkedIn Learning for Library as a .pdf and then upload it to your personal LinkedIn account in the “Featured” category near the top of your profile.
Please note that due to privacy concerns, names will not be included on the certificates of completion from LinkedIn Learning for Library.
No, nothing will appear on your profile unless you proactively share an update on it.
Protecting user privacy is of the utmost importance, and this continues to be honoured with LinkedIn Learning for Libraries. Users will only be required to login with their library card number and PIN and will not be identified in any other way.
Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. the library or check out the LinkedIn Learning’s support pages.
LinkedIn Learning is a commercial service whose policies concerning privacy and user information differ from that of the St. Catharines Public Library. For more information, please read LinkedIn Learning’s Privacy Policy and User Agreement.
Welcome to Mango Languages! You can choose courses in over 70 different languages with this online language learning system. You can learn languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, Polish, German, Mandarin, or Cantonese Chinese, Greek, Italian, Russian, and more. Great for vacationers and ESL students! It’s all FREE with your St. Catharines Library Card.
Mango Languages is a commercial service whose policies concerning privacy and user information differ from that of the St. Catharines Public Library. For more information, please read Mango Languages' Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Mango offers products for all ages. Mango courses are effective for just about anyone who is old enough to read!
With the free Mango Languages mobile app, you can download lessons to study later when you don't have an internet connection. On the course menu screen, tap a numbered circle with the download symbol on it to download a single lesson. You can also download all of the lessons in a chapter at once by selecting the Download All option.
To see the complete list of languages, please click here
Tumblebooks are animated, talking picture books, videos and quizzes for children in grades Pre-K until Grade 6 that can be viewed on a computer, tablet or smartphone.
A valid St. Catharines Public Library card.
* Using wireless internet cellular data is not recommended as streaming/downloading multimedia content can consume a lot of bandwidth. Wireless internet access is available at the St Catharines Public Library.
You are not required to create an account to access Tumblebooks. Tumblebooks is a third-party service that is governed by its own privacy policy and practices. We advise that you consult Tumblebooks's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before starting to use this service. The library will only provide Tumblebooks with information to verify that you are eligible to borrow.
Yes! In addition to English titles, there are titles available in French and Spanish. In addition, the Tumblebooks website can be read in French and Spanish.
Welcome to Kanopy! You can access over 30,000 high-quality films and documentaries from art-house classics to world cinema from producers such as The Great Courses, PBS, the Criterion Channel, and many more, FREE with your St. Catharines Library Card.
*Using wireless internet cellular data is not recommended as streaming/downloading multimedia content can consume a lot of bandwidth. Wireless internet access is available at the St Catharines Public Library.
Kanopy is a digital media service that provides access to streaming film content to library customers. Film content is primarily international and independent films as well as educational and documentary films. Several films seen at film festivals (including the Toronto International Film Festival) are also offered through this service.
If you have registered with an email address and password, go to your Inbox to verify your email address. Go back to Kanopy and add your 14-digit library card number and PIN.
You’re done! Start using Kanopy – you have 30 tickets to use every month.
In order to access Kanopy you will be required to create a Kanopy account. Kanopy is a third-party service that is governed by its own privacy policy and practices. We advise that you consult Kanopy’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service before agreeing to use this service. When you register for an account, the library will only provide Kanopy with information to verify that you are eligible to use this service.
How many titles can I play?
What is the loan period?
Can I download videos?
What if I use all available play credits?
What is a K-Series?
What is Kanopy Kids?
Is there a Kanopy app?
Can I use Chromecast or Apple TV to access Kanopy?
What are some of the accessibility features?
How often does Kanopy add new content?
Can I suggest titles to be added to Kanopy?
If there is a problem with a video, where can I get help?
I didn't receive the verification email address
For an online tutorial featuring Kanopy, please click here.
St. Catharines Public Library card holders can download the free hoopla digital mobile app on their Android or iOS device or visit hoopladigital.com to begin enjoying thousands of titles – from major Hollywood studios, record companies and publishers – available to borrow for instant streaming or temporary downloading to their smartphones, tablets and computers.
hoopla digital has a simple sign-up and attractive, easy-to-use interface, so it’s easy to get to your listening and viewing experience. There’s also no waiting to borrow popular movies, TV shows, albums or audiobooks. And hoopla digital’s automatic return feature eliminates late fees.
Once you have downloaded the app to your device(s) and/or visited the hoopla digital website you will be prompted to enter your email address, a password, your library card number, and your library card PIN number. The system will validate that you are in good standing with the library, so that you may begin to browse, borrow, and enjoy the content for free.
Come see what all the hoopla’s about:
Just go to the hoopla digital website or download the mobile app on your Android or IOS device, log in using your St. Catharines Public Library barcode number and PIN (last 4 digits of your phone number)...you'll be browsing and streaming media in seconds!
A hoopla FAQ can be found here
St. Catharines Public Library offers thousands of popular eBooks through the cloudLibrary digital lending platform. Offered at no cost to customers, all that’s needed to get started is a valid library card.
Discover new content, borrow all your favourites and save future reads with the cloudLibrary App. You can read or listen to eBooks and Audiobooks on the go, at home or in the library!
Our Library’s eBook and Audiobook collection includes titles from most major publishers and more. We add additional titles to our digital collection regularly.
cloudLibrary has downloadable apps available for the following platforms:
Once the download is complete, open the app and follow the prompts on screen:
You’re ready to begin! Borrow up to 5 items at a time and benefit from a 14-day loan period. You can also place holds on up to 5 items at a time.
You can check out up to 8 items at one time.
You can place up to 8 holds.
You may borrow an item from cloudLibrary for up to 14 days. After this time period, your item will automatically expire.
cloudLibrary is compatible with iOS, Android, Nook, and Kindle Fire as a mobile app
cloudLibrary eBooks can be transferred to Kobo eReaders through Adobe Digital Editions using a Mac or a PC. Directions on how to transfer cloudLibrary titles to a Kobo can be found here
Yes, once you have checked out a book using on the cloudLibrary website, you can transfer a copy to your eReader using Adobe Digital Editions.
Note: Please ensure that both Adobe Digital Editions and your Kobo are authorized with the same Adobe ID.
This could be one of two things. It could be that our license for this title has expired and needs to be repurchased or this is a title that was available through our cloudLink with the other Ontario libraries using cloudLibrary. When titles vanish like that it is because a customer from the owning library is using it. It will reappear once the owning system isn’t using it.
St. Catharines Public Library has partnered with public libraries across Ontario to form a cloudLinking consortium. cloudLinking allows participating libraries to pool their digital collections together to provide a greater selection of titles and copies. Customers may view, borrow and place holds on titles that are owned by St. Catharines Public Library regardless of their availability status.
Yes, offline listening is available in the mobile apps once an audiobook has been fully downloaded.
No, cloudLibrary only streams the content through a web browser and does not download the entire audiobook file. Transfer of the file is not available.
The cloudLibrary Desktop App was discontinued at the end of December 2020. You can find detailed processes below for copying books from your computer to your e-reader.
To use your Kobo with cloudLibrary you must transfer the title to your eReader using the cloudLibrary website and Adobe Digital Editions. Please ensure both Adobe Digital Editions and your eReader are authorized with the same Adobe ID before you begin. If you have previously used cloudLibrary with an auto-generated Adobe ID you may need to click the Help menu in Adobe Digital Editions and select the option to deauthorize the device.
You may have your settings in the mobile app set to only download when you are connected to Wi-Fi. This setting can be found in the Account section of the cloudLibrary app.
Whether you are using Wi-Fi or a data connection, content does not automatically download unless it is opened. If you’d like items to automatically open when you borrow them, you can turn on that setting in the Account setting as well. This will ensure your items download fully to your device.
cloudLibrary regretfully does not offer automatic checkouts for holds at this time. When a hold becomes available for you in cloudLibrary you have four days to borrow the item before it is released back into the collection or goes to the next person on the holds list.
We strongly encourage you to enable push notifications to your mobile device and/or email notifications from cloudLibrary so you are made aware when items are available for pick up. You can enable these through your account in the cloudLibrary app or through the Settings page on our cloudLibrary website.
You can renew an item as long as there are no holds. A renew button will appear in your My Books tab three days prior to your loan expiring.
Items from cloudLibrary will be automatically returned when their expiry date arrives. If you wish to return a book early, you can do so from the cloudLibrary website.
If you wish to manually delete a book from your Kobo go to My Books, tap the Ellipsis Menu (three dots) and select Remove. This will only remove the book from your Kobo, not return it to the library.
Consult cloudLibrary's page on common issues that offers troubleshooting solutions.
Contact cloudLibrary through their Help webpage
Contact or speak to a staff member at the Library
!--On July 31, 2019 the cloudLibrary mobile app will be updated to a newer version.
If necessary there is a walk-through video and the Mobile App User's guide that can help customers with any new changes.
St. Catharines Public Library offers thousands of popular eBooks through the cloudLibrary digital lending platform. Offered at no cost to customers, all that’s needed to get started is a valid library card.
Discover new content, borrow all your favourites and save future reads with the cloudLibrary App. You can read or listen to eBooks and Audibooks on the go, at home or in the library!
Our Library’s eBook and Audiobook collection includes titles from most major publishers and more. We add additional titles to our digital collection regularly.
Step 1: Download the cloudLibrary App
Apple App Store |
Google Play Store |
Kindle Fire App Store |
Windows App |
Apple Desktop App |
Chromebook App |
Step 2: Visit the St. Catharines Public Library cloudLibrary site
Select the Country, Province and St. Catharines Public Library, then simply enter your library card barcode and PIN (generally the last 4 digits of your home phone number). Click agree to terms and log in.
Step 3: Browse, borrow and start reading!
We’re positive you will enjoy the cloudLibrary platform. The easy-to-use interface makes it simple to download titles, save reads for later, and even sync activity across multiple devices. Customers can check out up to 5 titles at one time and keep them for up to 14 days.
The cloudLibrary app is compatible with the following devices: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Android Phones, Android Tablets, NOOK Tablets, NOOK eReaders, Kobo eReaders and Kindle Fires.
For technical assistance, please visit links below. For additional assistance, please call the Library 905-688-6103.
cloudLibrary Help Page |
cloudLibrary FAQ |
cloudLibrary Tutorials |
cloudLibrary User Guide |
Submissions will be solicited, received, evaluated, accepted and processed in accordance with the policy as amended from time to time. ln submitting a proposal in response to this solicitation, the proponent agrees and acknowledges that it has read and will be bound by the terms and conditions of the St. Catharines Public Library Procurement Policy.
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