Pasadena Public Library to Launch New Online Catalog in Early September

The Pasadena Public Library will switch to a new online catalog on Thursday, Sept. 10, and patrons who keep saved lists or manage their accounts online have until 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, to get ready. 

The current catalog and patron accounts move into view-only mode Sept. 1 through Sept. 9 while the library migrates to the new system, called Vega Discover, according to answers the library has posted on its Ask Us information service. 

Placing holds and updating accounts stops earlier, at 7 p.m. Aug. 31. Through the time window, patrons cannot renew items, place holds, register for a card or change account information. 

Lists saved in the current catalog must be exported or printed before Aug. 31, the library said, because the current catalog will no longer be active. It recommends printing, because copying, moving or texting a list may carry links to items in the old system that will no longer work. 

Several services continue. Patrons can pick up materials they have been notified are on hold and ready, borrow eBooks and other eMaterials through OverDrive/Libby, CloudLibrary and hoopla, and reach eResources including Kanopy and Freegal remotely with a Pasadena Public Library card. 

Items due Sept. 1 through Sept. 9 are extended to Sept. 18, and cards set to expire between Aug. 18 and Sept. 9 are extended to Sept. 30, the library said. In the new system, account PINs are set to the last four digits of the phone number on the account, because encrypted PINs and passwords could not be moved between systems. 

The change reaches beyond the city limits. Pasadena library cards are free to any California resident, so Altadena residents who hold a Pasadena Public Library card are subject to the same freeze, extended due dates and PIN reset. 

For more call (626) 744-4066 or visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/library. Cost: Free. 

Vega Discover, the Pasadena Public Library’s new catalog, goes live Thursday, Sept. 10. Holds and account changes stop at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, the deadline to print saved lists. The catalog is view-only Sept. 1 through Sept. 9. Pasadena Public Library, branch locations throughout Pasadena.