Introduction |  How do I connect? |  Possible Error Messages
Special Instructions for AOL, Compuserve and MSN Users

Introduction

Access to most of the library's online databases is available to residents of, and people who are employed in Bloomfield Township. You must have an active library card to access the databases.

The BTPL online databases are available if you connect to the Internet at home, the office, school, another library, if are using a Metro Net account, or any other Internet Service provider. Due to license restrictions, AncestryPlus, AllData Automotive and the Valueline Research Center are restricted to in-house use at the library -- they are not available from home.

Links to the online databases that are accessible from home go through the library's "proxy server." A proxy server is actually a computer program that masks off-site computer connections so that the connecting database services "think" the connection is actually originating from the library.  The library's proxy server no longer requires you to set up anything on your computer.
 

How do I connect?

If you are at home, the office, school, another library or anywhere with an Internet connection, click on one of our online database links, and you will be prompted for your name and library card number.  After you enter your name and library card number you will have FULL access to the databases.

AOL, CompuServe, and MSN Explorer users, please see our special instructions for accessing the databases.
 

Error Messages

If you receive a message such as "Sorry, name entered does not match name in record," be sure to use your last name as it was entered in your library record, with your library card barcode number.

If you receive a message such as "Sorry, cannot locate patron record," please call the library at 248-642-5800 during library hours, and ask for circulation to have them check the status of your record.

If you are a resident, student or employee in Bloomfield Hills or Bloomfield Township, and you receive the message "You are not permitted to access this database," please call the library at 248-642-5800 during library hours, and ask for circulation to have them verify the patron type code (ptype) in your record.

If you run into any other problems, you can contact the library's technical support at 248-642-1084.
 

Special Instructions for AOL, MSN, and Compuserve Users

The special integrated web browsers used by AOL, CompuServe, and MSN do not work with the authentication process for our databases.  Please follow these instructions in order to access the databases:

• Open up your AOL (or CompuServe or MSN) connection as usual.
• Log on to AOL  (or CompuServe or MSN).
• Minimize AOL (or CompuServe or MSN and then open Internet Explorer on your computer (look for the blue "e" icon).
• Go to the library's online databases page, and click on the link to the database you wish to use and enter your last name and library card barcode number.

Please contact AOL, Compuserve or MSN support if you have questions about their service.