Online Resources FAQs

  • General Questions

    If you receive a “blocked library” or expired error message, please use the option to Add Library Card or follow these instructions. 

    From a web browser

    • Log into your Kanopy user account.
      • Upon logging in, you may see the Contra Costa County Library appear under Expired or Blocked Libraries.
      • Click on Add your library card and enter your library card number and PIN.
      • Select Save.

    Patrons can also supply both credentials proactively in a web browser:

    • Log into your Kanopy user account., opens a new window
      • Navigate to the My Account page in Kanopy, and select the My Libraries tab.
      • Edit your library card number and PIN by clicking on the "three dots" icon next to your library and selecting Edit.

    From the Kanopy mobile app

    • Log into your Kanopy account.
      • Once logged in, navigate to the Memberships screen from the More button at the lower right of the app.
      • From there, tap on the expired membership and enter your library card number and PIN.
      • Tap Verify.

    Patrons will need to perform these membership renewal steps by logging into Kanopy either through a web browser or by using the Kanopy mobile app. Memberships cannot be renewed through Kanopy's TV apps.

    If the Kanopy password reset link is taking you to the login page instead of the reset page, it is likely due to a browser issue or an expired link.

    Here are some troubleshooting tips:

    • Try the reset link from the Kanopy app rather than clicking the link from the email on your phone.
    • Use a computer instead of a mobile device to resolve the issue. Copy the link from the email and paste it into the browser on a desktop or laptop computer. Clear your browser's cache and cookies. If you have a pop-up blocker in your browser, that could be interfering with the reset process.
    • Check for an expired link. If you took a long time to open the email, request another reset link.

    If none of these steps work, you may need to contact Kanopy directly through the Kanopy support form.

    LinkedIn Learning for Libraries does not capture any personally identifiable information from patrons. If you are issued a new card number, LinkedIn cannot move the activity such as watch history, bookmarks, playlists, and learning history, associated with your old library card to your new card. 

    Your personal subscription already gives you all of the access that you can get through the Library. If you have a personal subscription to the NYTimes, The Athletic, or another one of their products, and you try to use a library pass, you will see a message that states:

    "It looks like you're already a subscriber. At this time, pre-existing Digital or Home Delivery subscribers are not eligible to receive gift subscriptions."

    Patrons may use a different email address to gain access via the library. 

    If you use Hoopla and your library card number is replaced, you will need to update your library card number in your Hoopla account.

    On the Hoopla website

    • Sign in to your Hoopla account with your existing email address and password that you created when you signed up.
    • Click on the gear icon located at the top of the Hoopla page to open your settings.
    • Click on Library.
    • Make sure the library name field still says Contra Costa County Library.
    • Update the information in the Library Card field. 
    • Click Save.

    To update in the Hoopla app

    • Open the app.
    • The gear icon for settings is in the lower right.
    • Scroll the settings and click on the Library Card section.
    • Update your information.
    • Click Save when finished.

    If you have a library card with another library that offers hoopla and you want to take advantage of both collections, create two separate accounts using two different email addresses. Hoopla requires you to create a login for each library card. Using different email addresses per login is the best way to do this.

    To switch accounts, click the setting tool and scroll to Log Out. You must log out completely before logging back into a different account. 

    In the Hoopla app

    • Go to Settings
    • Tap the library name listed under the Library heading
    • Search for Contra Costa County Library
    • Tap Contra Costa County Library

    On the Hoopla website

    • Click the gear icon to go to Settings
    • Go to the Library tab on the Settings page
    • Search for Contra Costa County Library
    • Click on Contra Costa County Library - you will see a blue checkmark to the right of the name which indicates it is the active library

    This will reset your account to use Contra Costa County Library's collection. If you use other libraries, you will have to change this setting each time to use a different library's collection.

    To check out materials through Hoopla, you need the following:

    • A full access Contra Costa County library card in good standing. eCards will not provide access to Hoopla. 
    • Internet access.
    • For mobile devices, the Hoopla Digital app for iOS, Android, or Kindle Fire HDX. See a full list of devices at the Hoopla Help website. Click on Supported Devices to see a full list. 
    • For PC or Mac users, any current web browser. You will be prompted to download a video player plug-in called Widevine the first time you watch a video if you are using a browser other than Chrome. Supported browsers: IE 10 and 11, Chrome 39 and newer, Firefox 32 and newer, Safari 7 and newer, Edge.
    • A Hoopla account. You can create a Hoopla account on the Hoopla login page.

  • Flipster

    Flipster allows you to view popular magazines on your computer or mobile device for free with a Contra Costa County Library account.

    Access Flipster by going to the Flipster site

    On a mobile device, download the Flipster app:

  • Rosetta Stone

    24 languages are offered:

    • Arabic
    • Chinese (Mandarin)
    • Dutch
    • English (American)
    • English (British)
    • Filipino (Tagalog)
    • French
    • German
    • Greek
    • Hebrew
    • Hindi
    • Irish
    • Italian
    • Japanese
    • Korean
    • Persian (Farsi)
    • Polish
    • Portuguese (Brazil)
    • Russian
    • Spanish (Latin America)
    • Spanish (Spain)
    • Swedish
    • Turkish
    • Vietnamese

    How many Levels are offered for each language?
    Course Contents for Language Learning

    What is the Level to Unit alignment?

    Level 1 = Unit 1-4
    Level 2 = Unit 5-8
    Level 3 = Unit 9-12 
    Level 4 = Unit 13-16
    Level 5 = Unit 17-20  

    The Library offers free access to Rosetta Stone. You can use it on your computer or your Apple or Android mobile device.

    On your computer:

    1. From the Library website, go to Digital Resources - Home from the top navigation bar.
    2. Under Learning, select Rosetta Stone.
    3. Click on the link into Rosetta Stone Library Solution.
    4. Sign in with your email address and password. If this is your first time using Rosetta Stone, you will need to create a new free account.
    5. Select a language you would like to learn.
    6. Click on Launch Rosetta Stone Foundations.

    On your mobile device:

    First-time users: Download the Rosetta Stone app, but do not open it. 

    1. Download the Rosetta Stone app:
      Apple
      Android
    2. DO NOT launch or open the app or you will not access the free site.
      Instead:
    3. Open your browser on your mobile device and follow the steps listed above under "On your computer."
    4. After you Sign in and click on “Launch Rosetta Stone Foundations,” the app should launch automatically. If you encounter a paywall, try the following alternative instructions (starting at step 2) once you have created your Rosetta Stone account. 

    Once you have created your Rosetta Stone account, you can follow these alternative instructions:

    1. Follow the steps for on your computer to create your account.
    2. Open the Rosetta Stone app and tap Sign In. 
    3. You will be asked what type of account you have - choose Work or School
    4. For Username and Password use the email address and password you have created in the steps above. 
    5. Under Workspace type s9024568

    If you experience trouble setting up Rosetta Stone, please contact their customer support team by emailing support@rosettastone.com or by completing this form.

  • Databases

    The Library offers access to databases for research and lifelong learning. Databases are free to use from home with a Contra Costa County library card and 6-digit PIN. To find the databases, please visit the Library's Digital Resources page or the View the A-Z list. 

    Use NewsBank to search current and archived local, US, and global news sources, including the East Bay Times Daily Image Edition and the San Francisco Chronicle Collection. 

    Your Library card gives you free access to the digital edition of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post. 

    PressReader is a newspaper and magazine service that provides access to current publications from over 120 countries, in 60 different languages. Publications include The Economist, USA Today, The New York Times, La Opinión, World Journal, Times of India, El Diario, La Razón, China Daily, Der Tagesspiegel, The Guardian, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Variety, Newsweek, and Popular Science.  

    You can access online tutorials and practice tests through our digital resource LearningExpress Library.

    Use your eCard or Library card number to log in.

    Since no personally identifiable information is shared, LinkedIn Learning for Library doesn’t know the names of library patrons using the resource. However, each certificate does display a unique authentication number which you can add to your personal LinkedIn profile or online resume. 

    You can add your LinkedIn Learning for Library certificates to your personal LinkedIn profile by downloading the unique certificate ID for each course and then manually adding it to your profile, read more about this process from the LinkedIn Help website.

    You will need a computer or device with a web browser since the Wall Street Journal mobile app does not work with the library's subscription. 

    • Go to the Wall Street Journal from the Library's Digital Resources A-Z webpage.
    • Click on the link under the "Get Started" instructions to either create your WSJ account or to log in again as an existing user.

    If this is your first time and you don't have a WSJ account:

      • Enter your first and last name, email address, and a password.
      • To avoid getting updates and special offers from Dow Jones and affiliates, including the WSJ, you may want to uncheck the first box on the account sign in page.
      • Important: You must check the second box agreeing to the WSJ Privacy Notice.
      • Click on the Create button to log in. 

    If you have already have a WSJ account:

      • Select the SIGN IN button
      • Enter your email address and WSJ password. 
      • To avoid getting updates and special offers from Dow Jones and affiliates, including the WSJ, you may want to uncheck the first box on the account sign in page.
      • Important: You must check the second box agreeing to the WSJ Privacy Notice.
      • Click on the Create button to log in. 
    • After 3 days (72 hours), try to log in to the WSJ resource again and login as an existing user with the same username and password you originally created.

  • Local History Connection

    Local History Connection (formerly Remember & Go) provides access to historical materials relating to Contra Costa County. The database features the Library’s collections as well as those of other local history-related institutions, such as historical societies and museums. Visit the Local History Connection main page to search or browse their database.

  • ABCMouse

    ABCmouse is an education program designed for children ages 2-8. Subjects covered include reading, math, science, health, social studies, art and music. ABCmouse is available from inside the Library and from home. 

    For home use, please follow these instructions. 

    If you need help from the ABC Customer Support Team, call 866-779-1872 (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST) or email the support team directly.