Take your library's catalog on the go!

With our mobile app, you can search the full catalog—including digital content—to find your next great read or movie night pick.

Browse, borrow, place holds, check due dates, and renew items—all from your phone, in just a few taps.

📱 A New App, a Better Experience

The COOL Libraries are switching to a new mobile app to give you a more seamless experience between the browser catalog and the mobile app. Whether you're searching from your phone or your computer, things will now feel more familiar and consistent.

The new app comes with helpful features, including:

  • A clean, user-friendly design

  • Easy access to your digital library card

  • One-tap access to your checkouts, holds, and renewals

  • An ISBN scanner to check if a book is available at the library

  • Wish list and saved title features so you never lose track of items you want

  • The ability to manage multiple accounts—perfect for families

  • Quick access to library locations, hours, and contact info

  • Optional notifications to stay informed about your account activity

🗓️ When Is the Switch Happening?

The COOL Libraries will officially switch to the new mobile app on May 1st.
After that, here’s what will happen:

  • May 1st – The new app will be available in the App Store and Google Play.

  • May 30th – The old app will no longer be supported. After this date, some features may stop working.

We encourage you to download the new app as soon as possible to get started and avoid any interruptions.

For more information, please explore our FAQs below or reach out to your local librarian for assistance!

FAQ

📱 How to Find and Download the COOL Libraries App

For iOS Users (iPhone or iPad):

  1. Open the App Store on your device.

    • Look for the App Store icon (a blue circle with an "A" inside).

  2. Search for the app.

    • Tap on the Search tab at the bottom of the screen.

    • In the search bar at the top, type “COOL Libraries Catalog” and press Search.

  3. Download the app.

    • Find the COOL Libraries Catalog app in the search results.

    • Tap Get next to the app name.

    • You may be prompted to confirm with your Apple ID or Face/Touch ID.

  4. Open the app.

    • Once downloaded, tap Open to launch the app.

    • If needed, tap the home button to return to your main screen and find the app icon there.

  5. Log in.

    • Enter your library card number and PIN to log in and start using the app.

For Android Users (Phones and Tablets):

  1. Open the Google Play Store on your device.

    • Look for the Google Play Store icon (a colorful triangle).

  2. Search for the app.

    • Tap the Search bar at the top and type “COOL Libraries Catalog”, then press Enter.

  3. Download the app.

    • Find the COOL Libraries Catalog app in the search results.

    • Tap Install next to the app name.

  4. Open the app.

    • Once downloaded, tap Open to launch the app.

    • Alternatively, tap the home button and find the app on your home screen or app drawer.

  5. Log in.

    • Enter your library card number and PIN to log in and start using the app.

🔍 How to Search in the COOL Libraries App

  1. Open the App
    Launch the COOL Libraries app on your device. The Discover tab will open by default.

  2. Find the Search Bar
    At the top of the Discover screen, you’ll see the search bar where you can begin typing your search.

  3. Enter Search Terms

    • Type the title, author, or keyword of the item you're looking for.

    • If you don’t get results, click on Try a new search to try again, or use the back arrow to return to the search box.

  4. Use the Barcode Scanner (Optional)

    • Next to the search bar, there is a barcode scanner icon.

    • Tap it to scan ISBN numbers or UPC codes (useful if you’re in the library or at a retailer).

    • When prompted, grant permission for the app to access your camera, then hold it over the item's barcode to scan.

    • If there’s an issue with the scan, tap Scan Again to reset.

  5. View Search Results

    • If your search is successful, the results will show up. You’ll clearly see which formats are available for each title (e.g., physical books, audiobooks, eBooks).

    • You can click on a title to view more details, including the format options, language, and publisher information.

  6. Refine Your Search with Filters

    • At the top of your search results, you’ll see the Filters button.

    • Tap Filters to narrow your search by:

      • Entire Collection or Library System

      • Availability (e.g., Available Now, Available Online)

      • Subject (e.g., Mystery, Cooking, Gardening)

  7. Search Within the Collection

    • If you’re part of a consortium, you can search across the entire collection or within your local library system.

    • You can toggle options like Available Now, Available Online, or Entire Collection to customize your results.

  8. Explore Item Details

    • When you click into a title, you’ll see the Item Details, including:

      • Copy details (e.g., publisher, year)

      • Availability (if the item can be checked out or placed on hold)

      • Location (where to find it in the library, with call number and shelving information)

  9. Place a Hold or Add to List

    • If you want to borrow an item, tap Place Hold. For items you want to keep track of, tap Add to List.

🧐 Customize and Manage Your Experience with Browse Categories

When you log in to the COOL Libraries app, the default screen will be Discover. This is where you'll find browse categories—sections that organize books, movies, and other library materials into easy-to-explore groups. These categories help you find items based on themes, popular picks, and personal recommendations.

Browse Categories Available:

The Discover view includes both staff-created categories and personalized categories, such as:

  • Recommended For You: Suggestions based on your borrowing history.

  • Your Lists: Items you've saved to check out later.

  • Your Saved Searches: Searches you've saved for quick access.

Hide Unwanted Categories:

You can click Hide next to any browse categories you don’t want to see. This allows you to customize your view.

Viewing More Categories:

To speed things up, only 5 browse categories are loaded initially. If you'd like to see more:

  • Scroll to the bottom of the Discover page and tap Load All Categories.

  • This will display additional staff-created or personalized browse categories.

Managing Categories:

At the bottom of the category list, you’ll find the options Manage Categories and Refresh Categories:

  • Manage Categories: Tap this to turn on or off specific browse categories that will appear in the future.

    • You can also access this option by going to Account > Preferences > Manage Browse Categories.

  • Refresh Categories: This updates your Discover view with new titles, browse categories, or any changes to your personalized categories.

These options give you full control over your browsing experience, helping you find what you want more efficiently.

📇 How do I use the library card feature in the app?

In the COOL Libraries app, you can easily access your digital library card and barcode directly from the Card section.

What will I see in the Card section?

  • Home Library and Name: Your home library and name will be displayed at the top of the screen.

  • The screen will automatically brighten, making it easier to scan the barcode for checkouts or other library services.

How do I access my barcode?

  • Open Barcode: Tap on Open Barcode to display your digital barcode. A barcode modal will pop up on your screen, ready to be scanned.

Can I manage multiple library accounts?

  • If you have Linked Accounts, you’ll see multiple barcodes. Simply swipe between the accounts to view each one.

What happens if my barcode is long?

  • If your library’s barcode is too long, and if the Automatic Screen Rotation setting is enabled, your card will automatically rotate to landscape view for better scanning.

🛠️ How do I manage my account and see my library activity?

When you log into the COOL Libraries app, you can easily access and manage your account through the Account Drawer.

What will I see in the Account Drawer?

  • Your Name and Home Library: This will be displayed at the top of the screen.

  • Account Messages: Any messages from the library system will appear here, similar to what you see in Aspen Discovery. This may vary depending on your library's integrations (e.g., Event updates if your library uses an Events integration).

How can I check my current checkouts?

  • To see the titles you've checked out, tap Account and then Check Out Titles. You’ll be taken to a screen displaying your:

    • Title, Author, Format, and Due Date for each item.

    • If you have Linked Accounts, you’ll also see the Checked Out To information.

  • You can Renew All Titles at the top or tap on an individual title to manage it. If you choose a specific title, you'll see options like:

    • Renew, On hold for another patron, or a message about the autorenewal date.

    • You can also tap View Item Details for more information about the title.

How do I see my holds?

  • To view your holds, tap Account and then Titles on Hold. You’ll see:

    • The status of each hold (e.g., Ready for Pickup, Pending, or Frozen).

    • The position of any pending holds.

    • Holds Ready for Pickup will be listed at the top, clearly marked.

  • You can Sort and Filter your holds for easier management. If you have Linked Accounts, the On Hold For names will help identify which account the hold is linked to.

  • To manage multiple holds at once, tap the checkboxes next to the titles and choose Manage Selected to:

    • Cancel, Freeze, or Thaw selected holds.

  • For individual holds, you can click the title for more options like View Item Details, Cancel Hold, Freeze Hold, or Change Location.

How can I manage my lists?

  • To view and manage your lists, tap Account and then Lists. You’ll see:

    • A list of all your saved lists, including when they were last updated and how many items are on each.

    • You can Create a New List and sort your lists by Title, Date Added, or Recently Added.

    • You can also Edit or Delete lists and individual items within a list.

How do I add items to my lists?

  • When you search for items in the app, you can add them directly to a list by clicking Add to List under the title. You can select an existing list or Create a New List to save the item.

How can I view and manage my Saved Searches?

  • To view your saved searches, tap Account and then Saved Searches. Here, you’ll see all your saved searches, along with when they were created.

  • Clicking on a saved search will take you directly into that search.

  • If you have Notifications enabled for saved searches, you’ll receive alerts on your mobile device when new titles are added to your searches.

⚙️ How do I manage my settings in the mobile app?

In the COOL Libraries mobile app, you can easily customize the app’s appearance, language, and other preferences to suit your needs.

1. Enable Dark Mode

To switch to Dark Mode, follow these steps:

  1. Tap Account to open the account drawer.

  2. Click on the moon 🌙 icon to activate Dark Mode.

If you want to switch back to the light theme, just tap the sun ☀️ icon.

2. Change the Display Language

To change the language of the app:

  1. Tap Account and scroll down to find the current language (by default, it’s English).

  2. Click on the language to open a Select a Language menu where you can choose from other available languages added to your Aspen Discovery site.

3. Access Preferences

To adjust additional settings, go to:

  1. Tap More at the bottom of the app and select Preferences.

  2. Here you can manage the following settings:

    • Manage Browse Categories: Control which categories appear in your Discover view.

    • Device Permissions: Manage what the app can access on your device (camera, calendar, location, etc.).

    • Support: View app version information for troubleshooting purposes.

    • Language and Appearance: Quickly adjust these settings directly from the Account Drawer too.

4. Manage Browse Categories

Want to customize your Discover screen? Here’s how:

  1. Tap Manage Browse Categories in Preferences.

  2. You’ll see a list of categories that you can turn on or off. You can also access these options directly from the bottom of your Discover view.

5. Adjust Device Permissions

To manage what Aspen LiDA can access on your device:

  1. Tap Device Permissions in Preferences.

  2. Here you’ll see options for:

    • Camera (for barcode scanning)

    • Calendar

    • Location services

    • Notifications

    • Screen brightness

  3. You can toggle each option and learn more about what each permission does by tapping on it.

6. Manage Notifications

To control your notifications:

  1. In Device Permissions, tap Notifications.

  2. You can toggle Allow Notifications and choose which types of alerts you’d like to receive, such as:

    • Saved Searches

    • Library Alerts

    • Account Alerts

  3. If you need to adjust more settings, tap How we use your device’s notifications to read more.

7. Get Help & Support

If you need help with the mobile app:

  1. Tap Support in Preferences. This will show you information about your app version and device details, which can be helpful when reaching out to your local library for troubleshooting help.

  2. If there’s a newer version of the app available, you’ll see a prompt to update. Tap Update Now to be redirected to your app store.