About MNLINK
- What is MNLINK?
- How does MNLINK work?
- What is changing with MNLINK?
- Where can I get help using MNLINK?
Requests placed prior to the change
Accounts and Logging In
- How do I get an account?
- I seem to be having trouble logging in, what should I do?
- What library do I select to Login?
Requesting Items
- How can I place a request in MNLINK?
- I see multiple records for the same thing. Which record should I use to place a request?
- Is there a charge for requesting materials via MNLINK?
- How long does it take to fill a request?
- What libraries provide material?
- What is available through MNLINK?
- Will my requests still be filled by a library in North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin?
- Can I set a preferred/default pickup location for my requests?
- How many requests am I allowed to make?
- How do I place a request for something that I do not find through a MNLINK search?
- Can I get ebooks/downloadable audiobooks through MNLINK?
- Why did I only receive 1 disc when requesting a complete set?
- How do I place a request for a copy of a journal article or chapter/part of a book?
Other Questions
About MNLINK
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. MNLINK provides access with a single point of entry into Minnesota's vast resources.
How does MNLINK work?
You place a request for an item that you want, and let the system do the work finding a library with a copy to lend. The vast majority of requests will be filled within 2 weeks, but some requests may take longer for a variety of reasons.
What is changing with MNLINK?
The MNLINK service provides a broad overview of the vast majority of library content from Minnesota’s libraries. The library content is provided on a new platform to replace an aging service that has an end of life in the coming months. Most of the content is available for request, or available online. Any request will only be filled if a library has has the resource on hand when they receive the request.
Where can I get help using MNLINK?
MNLINK encourages users to talk to the staff at their local library first. They may put individuals in touch with their central resource sharing team when issues need escalation. You may also contact MNLINK staff for system issues through the Contact MNLINK link on our website at mnlink.org.
Requests placed prior to the change
Will my requests still be filled or should I place new requests?
Unfortunately we cannot provide an activity display for the requests with the old MNLINK system. Requests may be active unless you have received an email notification indicating otherwise. Your interlibrary loan staff will continue to process the requests until some point in mid-May. Interlibrary loan staff will need time to manage and return requests that have been filled before the old system goes offline June 30, 2024. In mid-May all requests that have not been filled yet, will go to a status Currently unavailable through MNLINK and email notifications will be sent. You should receive an email if your library has an email account on file with your account.
Accounts and Logging In
How do I get an account?
To place a request you only need a valid library card in good standing from your Minnesota library. MNLINK performs a real-time validation with your library.
I seem to be having trouble logging in, what should I do?
The first thing to do is to check your library card number with your local library to make sure your card is still active and in good standing. Your PIN/Password will be the same as you use to login to your local library account. Overdues, expired cards, etc. are all potential reasons for a login being denied on MNLINK. Contacting your local library is the correct first step for resolution.
What library do I select to Login?
To login you must select your library, which is the location that manages your interlibrary loan requests. This may be a regional library system, county or municipal library. You should be able to find your library on the MNLINK Participating Libraries page.
Requesting Items
How can I place a request in MNLINK?
Placing a request in MNLINK is as easy as one, two, three. Using your library card from a participating MNLINK library:
- Login to MNLINK first for a better experience. Select your library, enter your full card number and enter the PIN/Password which is the same as your local library account.
- Search MNLINK for materials you would like to request.
- Request from the search results display or click into the title for more information about the material. A request form window will open, select your Pick up location, add specific information about a Volume/parts needed (if relevant), and any additional Patron notes to help staff fill your request correctly.
I see multiple records for the same thing. Which record should I use to place a request?
Many of the library records in MNLINK did not align well with another library record during the process of building the MNLINK library database. We recommend that users choose the record with the most libraries listed. If none of those libraries are able to fill your request other libraries will be attempted if they are found to have an available copy.
Is there a charge for requesting materials via MNLINK?
MNLINK is supported by your tax dollars. You are not charged for delivery of your requests and you are able to search for and use items throughout the state. Libraries 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. Requests will only be filled if a library has a copy available to loan when they receive your request. 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.
What libraries provide material?
Most of Minnesota’s Public Libraries, Colleges and Universities lend material through MNLINK. Each participating library determines which materials are available for statewide resource sharing and what they may need to retain for their own local needs.
What is available through MNLINK?
Each participating library determines what material they are willing to lend and what they will allow their users to request. Items that are currently in demand at a local institution will not be available for resource sharing. An item may indicate it is available at a certain library, but that does not guarantee it is available for interlibrary loan lending. A library will only lend an item to another library when there isn’t local demand. Resource sharing has no process in place for adding names to a waiting/hold list.
Records display owning libraries in Green and Red below the display. These libraries have indicated that the material is requestible (Green) or non-requestible (Red) when we were in the process of building the records database. Please feel free to request an item that has one location in Red, because there may be another library with the material available to lend that does not have holdings in the MNLINK search. Real-time availability is only available in each institutions' local catalog at this time.
Will my requests still be filled by a library in North Dakota, South Dakota or Wisconsin?
Minitex facilitates much of the interlibrary loan activity in Minnesota and manages the MNLINK program. When you place a request with MNLINK, Minnesota libraries are exhausted first. Libraries that are part out of state, but participate with the Minitex network for interlibrary loan activity, are automatically checked to determine whether or not they may be able to fill your request.
Can I set a preferred/default pickup location for my requests?
No, the pickup location must be selected for each request at this time.
How many requests am I allowed to make?
Each library determines an appropriate request limit for their users. The request limit will stop requests for staff review when an individual user has gone over that limit. Users would receive a cancellation notification through email for requests over the limit.
Some libraries have set lower request limits for their users during the transition. Library staff are processing requests on 2 systems during this transition period, and when libraries determine the time is appropriate they will likely return to prior limits.
How do I place a request for something that I do not find through a MNLINK search?
The MNLINK search is an aggregation of Minnesota library holdings available to request. If you know of material that you do not find through a MNLINK search, you may want to confirm the information is correct in WorldCat. While all of this content may not be available through a MNLINK library or another library that is within the Minitex network, you can still place a request.
A blank request form, which should be used as a last resort, is available after you Login to MNLINK. You can find a link to the webform in Your Account > New Request. Fill in all required fields to submit your request. Incomplete information may mean your request will cancelled by your library.
Can I get ebooks/downloadable audiobooks through MNLINK?
The Ebooks Minnesota collection is available and can be opened in your search interface when you select Click here to open. Many libraries license ebooks and downloadable audiobooks for their own registered users as their license allows.
Why did I only receive 1 disc when requesting a complete set?
Searching MNLINK will display a master record, which libraries use to designate their ownership. This record may not reveal that a library packages the individual parts or discs separately. Many libraries will only fill a given request with a single part for tracking purposes.
If you did not specify which part/disc you wanted, libraries may send the first disc when they aren't able to send the set. To specify the part/disc you want, you will need to add specific information about a Volume/parts needed.
How do I place a request for a copy of a journal article or chapter/part of a book?
The MNLINK system does not have an option for library patrons to place their own requests for a copy of a journal article or a chapter/part of a book. You will need to talk with the staff at your local library and provide them with the citation information and they can have a request placed for you.
Other Questions
Removing Your Old Barcode from Your Browsers Auto-fill
Modern browsers have the option of saving information filled into websites. When you go to a website with saved information, it will automatically fill it in for you. If your library barcode changes this can cause problems as your browser will continue to try and fill in your previously saved information. Listed below are the methods of removing this information from several popular browsers.
Mozilla Firefox
- Windows
- In the top right, click the three horizontal bars.
- Select Options.
- Switch to the Security tab.
- Click on Saved Passwords.
- To eliminate all existing saved usernames and passwords, click Remove all. To eliminate specific saved passwords, click View Saved Passwords and delete just those associated with mnlinkgateway.org. If you wish, deselect the option to Remember passwords. This will prevent passwords from being saved in the future. In older versions of Firefox, this option is in the Privacy tab instead of Security.
- Mac OS X
- In the menu bar, open the Tools menu.
- Select Options.
- Switch to the Security tab.
- Click on Saved Passwords.
- To eliminate all existing saved passwords, click Remove all. To eliminate specific saved passwords, click View Saved Passwords and delete just those associated with mnlinkgateway.org. If you wish, deselect the option to Remember passwords. This will prevent passwords from being saved in the future. In older versions of Firefox, this option is in the Privacy tab instead of Security.
Internet Explorer
To delete individual passwords: when using IE and a saved password is pre-filled on your screen, simply highlight the username that displays there, and press the Delete key to remove just that one username/password combination from IE. Internet Explorer will then prompt you to confirm that you do want to delete it.
To delete all saved passwords:
- Open the Tools menu.
- Select Internet Options.
- Click Content.
- Under AutoComplete, click Settings.
- Click Delete AutoComplete history&hellips;
- To prevent AutoComplete in the future, make sure AutoComplete is deselected for User names and passwords on forms, and then click on OK.
Chrome
- Open the Chrome menu using the button on the far left of the browser toolbar that looks like three horizontal bars.
- Choose Settings from the left-hand menu.
- Click Show advanced settings at the bottom of the page.
- Click Manage saved passwords in the “Passwords and forms” section.
- Windows, Linux, and Chrome devices: In the Passwords dialog that appears, hover over the site whose password you’d like to remove and click the X that appears.
- Mac OS X: Remove the site passwords in the Keychain Access dialog that appears.
- More information on managing website passwords in Chrome can be found in the Google Help pages.
Safari
- Open the Safari menu.
- Select Preferences.
- Switch to the Autofill tab.
- Click the Edit button for Usernames and Passwords.
- Delete the entry that corresponds with mnlinkgateway.org.
Opera
- Open the Tools menu.
- Select Advanced.
- Click on Password Manager.
- Delete the entry that corresponds with mnlinkgateway.org.
This information has been adapted from Boston University Information Services & Technology's How to Remove a Saved Password from a Browser.