Author: Tara Wood

The new SWAN Libraries + App is here

The SWAN Libraries + app lets you store your library card, manage your account, and find books, movies, and more from your phone or tablet. It is free and available to anyone with a library card for iOS and Android.

Download the app

If you had the previous version of the SWAN Libraries app, please delete, and download the new SWAN Libraries + app. The old app is no longer operational.

View recommendations from your library
See what titles are new at your library or curated lists from librarians. You can manage these “browse categories” to your personal tastes.


Store your library card
Save your library card in your app, so you’re never without it. You can also save your family’s library cards through linked accounts.


Manage your account
Manage your holds, checkouts, lists, and more in the app. 


Search and request titles
You can search for titles across the whole SWAN consortium, place holds, and see which libraries have what you’re looking for.


Download eBooks, eAudio, and more
Your library’s eBooks, eAudio, streaming movies, and more are all available in the app to search and download in one place. 

Want more information? Learn more about using the SWAN Libraries + app.

Using the catalog on your phone or tablet

Using your library catalog on your phone or tablet gives you access to your account, holds, e-books and e-audiobooks, and more. Here are some tips to make the most of your catalog on your mobile device.

Save the catalog to your home screen

  1. Go to your library catalog
  2. Follow these instructions to save a website to your phone or tablet home screen:
    1. Save on an iPhone or iPad
    2. Save on an Android device

Use your library barcode at self-checks

If your library offers self check machines, you can scan your barcode from the catalog.

Go to person icon> My Library Card and you will see your library barcode. You can scan this at your library’s self checks.

COVID-19 Update

Some SWAN libraries are now open for curbside pickup. Please refer to your local library’s website for more information and details on the curbside pickup process. Find your home library.

Curbside pickup is currently available to home library patrons only – if your library doesn’t offer curbside pickup, you won’t be able to get items from another library that does. In addition, delivery between libraries is not available yet, so it is not possible to request items for pickup from another library.

This information was last updated June 11, 2020 – dates are subject to change based on the Illinois Stay-At-Home order and public health recommendations.

Library cards

Is your card expiring?

All cards expiring between January 1 and June 30, 2020 have been extended to July 4th.

No card?

Most SWAN public libraries now offer online cards that will give you access to your library’s digital resources, including eBooks, eAudio, databases, and streaming services.

If your library participates, you’ll see a “Sign Up” button on your library catalog.

Find your library

sign up button in your catalog menu
Look for the sign up button in your library catalog.

Online services and collections

Libraries are expanding their online classes, storytimes, and download and streaming offerings.

Checkouts

  • For due dates for checked out items from your public library please check your account.
  • Log into your account to see new due dates – get help with logging in.
  • Please do not return material to your library until the library reopens.

Holds

  • You can still place holds, but currently only for items at your home library, for pick up at your home library.
  • If your library is open for curbside pickup, your holds have been unsuspended.
  • If your library is closed, your holds are still suspended, and your place in the queue has been saved.

Using Your Library During the Closing

If your library has recently closed due to COVID-19 concerns, you can still use many of your library’s services.

Place holds

You can still place holds on items, and you will be in the queue for them when your library re-opens.

Try eBooks & online resources

If you haven’t yet tried out the eBook, eAudiobook, streaming media, and online research databases offered by your library now is a good time to try them out.

Learn more about ebooks & audio
Learn more about articles & databatases

If you are having trouble using these services, contact your library – many are still providing phone and online help.

What about due dates?

If your library has closed, please do not return items until your library reopens.

Check your account regularly as due dates could change as the situation progresses.

What’s New In Your Library Catalog

Better layout for phones and tablets

Your library catalog is now mobile-friendly! If you are using the catalog on your phone or tablet, you should now see an easier-to-read layout that adapts to your device.

If you are on a phone or tablet:

  • Tap the menu icon to log in and see My Account
  • Tap Search Options to limit your search to just your library, downloads, or articles.
  • After you search, tap Limit Search Results to filter your results by format, fiction or nonfiction, and more.

Easily see on-shelf items

If an item is on shelf in your library, you’ll see a green “on shelf” checkbox.

on shelf icon with green checkbox

Otherwise, you’ll see that all copies are in use, or your library does not own the item. In both of these cases, you can place a hold so you’ll get the next available copy.

Get started with the mobile-friendly catalog

Find your library catalog