Catalog and Website FAQs

  • General Questions

    To find non-English items in the catalog, you can search by keyword using the language you are looking for, followed by the format you want (books, movies, music, etc.).

    For example:

    Spanish books

    French movies

    Hmong music

    You can narrow this down to the newest items by including the word "new" in your search:

    For example:

    new Spanish books

    You can also add an "audience" (adult, kids, or teen) to narrow down the results returned:

    For example:

    New Spanish kids books

    Use the "Available Now" filter to further limit the results set and see what is available to pick up right now.

    The library's "classic catalog" is still available. Patrons are able to use the old catalog, the new catalog, or both!

    Access the classic catalog at https://alpha.stpaul.lib.mn.us, opens a new window or by following the "Classic Catalog" list at the bottom of each page of the website.

    Use the Classic Catalog when you want to:

    • Get preferred search email notices.
    • Browse nearby subject headings for subject searches.
    • Browse by call number for call number searches.
    • Find known items using exact title criteria.
    • Pay library fees (the new site links to the old site if you choose to pay library fees online).

    Please note that logging in to the classic catalog works with your library card numbers only, not usernames.

  • Registering & Logging In

    Go to https://sppl.bibliocommons.com/user/forgot, opens a new window and enter your library card number. A reset link will be emailed to you.

    If you get an error message or if you have not yet registered on the library website, please visit https://alpha.stpaul.lib.mn.us/pinreset, opens a new window to set a new password. If the library has your email address on file a reset link will be sent to you.

    Once you have set a new password, return to https://sppl.org, opens a new window to log in to the website.

    Still can’t log in? Contact the library at 651-266-7000 or stop by any library for assistance.

    The username created for the catalog can be used to log in to the catalog, but will not work for other online resources.

    Use your library card barcode number (and password, if necessary) to log in to other online resources brought to you by the library like OverDrive (Libby), online databases, LinkedIn Learning, and the SPPL app.

    Use your library card barcode number if logging in to the classic catalog or to pay fees online.

    Registration is required to get a new password by email. Register on the new website, opens a new window using your library card number and existing password.

    If you are unable to register because you have forgotten or do not already have a password from the library's old system, you can reset your password or establish one using the library's classic catalog, opens a new window. Please note that the “Forgot Your Password” link will only work if the library already has your email address on file.

    Once the password has been reset, register on the new system, opens a new window using your library card number and password.

    If you already have a username registered with the Hennepin County Library system or the Ramsey County Library, you will need to use a different username in the Saint Paul Public Library system.

    Hennepin County Library and Ramsey County Library use BiblioCommons as their catalog systems, too, and usernames must be unique across all BiblioCommons libraries.

    Registration is important for patrons, the library and our service provider, BiblioCommons.

    For the patron:

    • Registration allows you create an easy-to-remember username you can use to log in, so you don’t have to type your barcode every time you want to check your account.
    • Registration also allows you to get personalized recommendations and contribute ratings and reviews.

    For the library and for BiblioCommons:

    • It is good practice to communicate what information is collected and how that information will be used. By registering, a patron signals that she or he understands these policies and grants permission to store and use personal information as noted. 
    • Registration also gives the library and BiblioCommons an opportunity to clearly address some key questions about how the service works, such as the responsibilities of the user, licensing arrangements for user content and other content on the site, safety issues, and the use of the site by children.

    To get started:

    • Click on Log In/My SPPL in the upper right-hand corner.
    • Use your current library card number and password to get started.
    • Follow the steps on the screens to register.

    If you have forgotten or do not already have a password, reset it using the library's classic catalog (the "Forgot Your Password?" link in the new catalog will not work until you have registered on the new site).

  • Saving Searches

    If you often search for titles by the same author, or on the same subject, you can save your search and run it again later. This can save you time, especially if you have constructed a complex search strategy.

    To save a search:

    1. Log in, opens a new window to your account. You must be logged in to save a search.
    2. Run your search.
    3. If required, narrow your results by applying facets on the left side of the page.
    4. Click the Save Search link above the search results.
    5. Name the search so you can easily identify it later. If you already have a search by that name, you’ll have the option to choose a new name or overwrite your existing saved search.
    6. Click Save it.

    To run a saved search:

    1. Log in, opens a new window to your account.
    2. Click Saved Searches, opens a new window under the search box.
    3. Click the search you would like to run again.

    More information about Saving Searches.

    Saved Searches in the library catalog are not the same as "preferred searches" from the library's previous catalog system.

    If you have preferred searches set up in the classic catalog, you can still run them by logging into your account on the classic catalog, opens a new window and clicking the Preferred Searches link.

    If you would like to keep any of your previously-created preferred searches in the new catalog, you can re-create a similar search strategy and save the search. See more information about Saving Searches, opens a new window.