Sign in by typing the barcode number from your library card. You don't need to enter a PIN/Password. Choose Hennepin County Library from the drop-down menu as your Pick Up Location.
Once you are signed in, you'll find that searching MnLINK is similar to searching other library catalogs, with drop-down menus giving a wide variety of search options. There is also a "Help" option covering most any situation that would arise.
Note: The results of your search may appear slowly. The more matches found, the longer it will take to display the search results.
Once you have search results, click on Details for an item to verify it is the one you want and click on Get It! The details are transferred automatically to a request form. Note: For journal articles or multi-volume sets, please complete Part Details (one request per form). Use the "Special Instructions" box to indicate if you do not need the item after a certain date or if you want ILL staff to search nationally if the item is not in MNLink. Choose a Pick Up Location with the Hennepin County Library system, review the form and click SUBMIT.
If you can't find your item in MnLINK, use the "Create Request" form to request it or use Ask a Librarian for help. Please indicate if you will not need the item after a certain date or if you want ILL staff to search nationally for the item. ILL Staff will not conduct a national search for an item unless one is specifically requested.
Items not found in MnLINK but where a national search is requested are removed from your MnLINK record and requested through the WorldCat (OCLC) service. If we can find a lender for the item, you will be sent a notice when the item arrives. If we can't find a lender, a note will be placed on your library card record.
You can check the status of your requests by signing in to MnLINK and clicking on My Requests in the left-hand menu, choosing the Sort method you want, and clicking Search. Be sure to check the box "Show all Requests" to display all of your requests.
To cancel requests, contact ILL staff for information.
When requesting a specific format, version, or edition, make sure the appropriate information is in the Edition line (e.g. DVD ed., VHS ed., Unabridged, etc.)
Request only one item or part per form. With multipart items, specify the needed volume or part in the Special Instructions box.
