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What is MnLINK?
MnLINK is Minnesota's Library Information Network. MnLINK supports and develops a
technology infrastructure and collaboration to facilitate equitable
and shared access to library and information resources for all people
of Minnesota. To meet this mission, MnLINK provides access to the MnLINK Gateway
as a single point of entry into Minnesota's vast resources.
What is the MnLINK Gateway?
The MnLINK Gateway is a portal into nearly all of Minnesota's library resources.
This gateway allows the people of Minnesota to login using their local library card
and to request that materials from around the state be delivered to their local
library. This expanded interlibrary loan brings the request process directly to
the library user as they select items and place their "Get It" request online 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
How can I place a request in the MnLINK Gateway?
Placing a request in the MnLINK Gateway is as easy as one, two, three. Using your
library card from a participating MnLINK library you:
-
Sign In to MnLINK to request materials. To sign in use your library barcode
number found on your library card. Plum Creek and the MnPALS Consortium also
require you to enter a password.
- Start your search using the basic or advanced search options.
-
Get It! From the results list, you can save items, look at details or "Get
It". Your "Get It" request will display the item you selected. Your request
will be placed into a form to begin the process. Select a pickup location
and submit your form!
I seem to be having trouble signing in, what should I do?
The first thing to do is to check your barcode number with your local library
to make sure your card is still active and in good standing. Overdues, expired
cards, etc. are all reasons for a card being rejected on MnLINK. Contacting your
local library is the right first step for resolution.
If you are a MnPALS Consortium member it is important to remember that your
password must be entered in all capital letters. Using lower case letters will
result in a failed login.
Is there a charge for requesting materials via the MnLINK Gateway?
The MnLINK Gateway is supported by your tax dollars. As such, you are not
charged for delivery of your requests and you are able to search for and use
items throughout the state. Some libraries do place a limit on the total number
of requests you can have at one time, but all of the participating libraries
are providing free access.
How long does it take to fill a request?
It is impossible to say how quickly any given request will take to arrive.
Availability, popularity, and location are all important factors in determining
how long it takes for a request to arrive. We do our best to fill every request
as quickly as possible.
I received the error: The previous session has timed out or been
disconnected by the server.
If you receive this error message while searching or signing in, use the
following steps to begin a new session:
- Clear out your web browser's cache and cookies file.
-
In Internet Explorer, from the Tools menu, choose Internet Options. Click
both the "Delete Cookies" and "Delete Files" buttons.
-
In Mozilla Firefox, from the Tools menu, choose Options. In the "Privacy"
tab, clear both the cookies and cache.
-
If you use a different browser, please consult its documentation or Help
files on how to clear cookies and cache.
- After clearing those files, close any browser windows that are open.
-
Open a fresh web browser window and browse
directly to www.mnlinkgateway.org.
- Sign in with your library barcode and begin a new search.
-
If you are still experiencing problems after this process and have access
to an alternative web browser, please try it out with the other browser software.
If you still experience problems after following the above steps, you may
contact us and we will be happy to
assist you further. Please be sure to include answers to the following few
questions about your computer:
- What operating system are you using? (Windows XP, Mac OSX, etc.)
- What web browser software are you using? (Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, etc.)
-
What is the browser's version number? You can usually find this by selecting
About... from the web browser's Help menu.
-
When you browse to www.mnlinkgateway.org, look for an identifier near the
bottom center of the screen resembling usweb03. What identifier do you see?