Troubleshooting Technical Problems

If you are having trouble using the Toronto Public Library's website, try the following:

• Check the time of day
• Check your browser
• Check your bookmarks
• Are you asked to enter your library card and PIN numbers many times?
• Do you want your browser to remember your library card and PIN numbers for future visits?
• Are you connecting using the Z39.50 protocol?

Check the time of day

Some library website functions (account access, placing holds, location/status of materials) are not available for up to an hour starting at approximately 6 a.m. Eastern Time daily. This time is scheduled for website maintenance.

Occasionally there are problems with the website and it is unavailable. Library staff work to fix problems as quickly as possible. Maintaining access to the website is a top priority.

Check your browser

Our website supports the following browsers

• Firefox (Windows and Mac)
• Internet Explorer 6, 7, 8 and 9 (Windows) (we recommend version 8 or higher)
• Safari (Mac)
• Chrome (Windows and Mac)

We recommend using the latest version of your browser.

Check your bookmarks

Make sure you are using the correct address to access the Toronto Public Library website.

• For the library homepage, the address is www.torontopubliclibrary.ca
• If you prefer to go directly to your account, bookmark the address www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/signin.jsp?target=youraccount

Are you asked to enter your library card and PIN numbers many times?

You will need to set your browser to always check for newer versions of stored pages, as follows:

If you are using Internet Explorer on a PC:

• Click on Tools, then Internet Options
• Click on the tab that says General, then look for Temporary Internet files
• Click on the Settings button, then select "Every visit to the page"
• Click OK

If you are using Firefox on a PC:

• Type about:config in the browser's address bar.
• Click on browser.cache.check doc frequency.
• Set the number to 1 (check every time a page is viewed).
  

If you are using the Google Web Accelerator or another type of accelerator software (e.g., MyProxy, SySpeed, Got It!, MicroSurfer, WebRifle):

Internet accelerator software (used to increase browsing speed) can cause problems when viewing Toronto Public Library web sites.

If you are using the Google Web Accelerator, follow Google's instructions on how to disable it for particular web sites and turn off acceleration for .tpl.toronto.on.ca and .torontopubliclibrary.ca.

Do you want your browser to remember your library card and PIN numbers for future visits?

You will need to set you browser's AutoComplete or Password Manager to remember your library card and PIN numbers. Please Note: By turning these settings on, anyone who has access to your browser may be able to view or modify your library account.

If you are using Internet Explorer on a PC:

• Please refer to Microsoft's AutoComplete Instructions.

If you are using Mozilla Firefox on a PC:

• Please refer to Mozilla's Password Manager instructions

If you are using Safari on a Mac:

• Please refer to Apple's documentation on enabling autofill for passwords

If you are using Chrome on a Mac or PC:

• Please refer to Google's documentation on managing passwords

Are you connecting using the Z39.50 protocol?

Toronto Public Library Z39.50 Server Settings:

Host name: symphony.torontopubliclibrary.ca
Port: 2200
Database Name: unicorn
Search Map Name: unicorn_bth
Unicode Server: yes