Check it Out! (Connect to your public library)

Sep 24 2007 1:28 PM

This tool interfaces with libraries using the Horizon Information Portal (HIP). See what books that you have checked out, how much overdue, and search for books at your library. Best yet, if you have several library cards in your family, keep track of everyone in the same place.

Use the tool

ClickOnce Installer

Setup the tool

Before you can do much with the tool, you will need to do several things. The first step is to determine the URL of you library's Horizon system. This will always end in "ipac20/ipac.jsp" You can find this by going to your library's web site and clicking their "Search the Catalog" or "Login" or similar link. The main site will probably have information about the library, upcoming events, etc. and won't have the "ipac20" in the address. You can chop off anything after the question mark.

Once you start the tool, right-click the icon in the system tray (by the clock), then click Configure. Under the Libraries list, click New.

Library configuration

Enter anything you'd like for the name. The Base URL is the important part. You probably won't need to enter Profile. Then click OK.

Here are a few examples:

Coralville Public Library: http://coralcat.coralvillepubliclibrary.org/ipac20/ipac.jsp
Seattle Public Library: https://catalog.spl.org/ipac20/ipac.jsp
New York Public Library: http://leopac2.nypl.org/ipac20/ipac.jsp

Now you could close the Configuration window and search the catalog. Instead though, you could click New under the Patrons list. This is where you enter your user ID (maybe barcode ID, depending on your library) and PIN (or password). You may need to activate this with your library before it will work. If you've ever signed into your account at the library or on the web site, then you should be good.

Enter your sign-in information, then click OK. You can do this for each member of your family.

Patron details

Now you have one unified view from the Configuration window. Click a library to see information on accounts that you have configured for that library. If you don't configure your accounts, you can still search for books using the Search function (as shown in the first image).

Horizon Configuration window

Learn how it works (for developers)

Download the source code

Read more about it from the MSDN Coding 4 Fun articles.