A New UHLS App Has Arrived

The Upper Hudson Library System (UHLS) has released a new version of their app.

The previous app was called UHLS Mobile App. The new app is called UHLS Libraries and has a new look and several new features. The old version of the app will continue to work until August 13, 2025. After that, the old app will no longer work. The new app is available for download in the iOS App Store for Apple Devices and in the Google Play Store for Android Devices.

Home Screen

After downloading the app, you will see the main UHLS interface.

screenshot showing the main UHLS library interface. The UHLS logo is at the top, next are buttons: scan ISBN barcode, nearest libraries, ebooks & e-audio with header reading social, then links that say facebook and instagram underneath.

In order to use any features of the app, you will need to login with your library card. You cannot use any features other than Nearest Libraries without logging in. To login, tap on the My Account button. Enter your full library barcode number with no spaces. Your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number unless you have changed it.

Search

Once logged in, you will see the interface for your home library.

screenshot of the logged in home screen showing the EGCL logo, a for pickup banner, a my barcode banner, a book carousel with covers of new book titles, and buttons that say my account, library calendar, and ebooks & eaudiobooks

To search the UHLS catalog, tap in the search box in the top center and enter your search term. Next, you will see a list of items that match your search term. Tap on the name of the item to see more information. On the item information screen by default, you will see a place hold button. This does not indicate if an item is currently available for checkout. To see an item’s availability, scroll down to see a list of which libraries own the item and whether or not it is currently checked out. You can tap on the Available Only button to only show items that are currently available.

gif showing an item page scrolling down to reveal where a book is available in the library's catalog.

Notification Area & My Barcode

Under the search icon is the notification area. Here, you will see if you have any requests available for pickup or any items that are overdue.

Underneath your notification area is My Barcode. You can enter your library barcode for easy access while checking out items at the library. If you have any cards linked to your account (more on that later!), swipe left to use them as a digital library card.

Underneath My Barcode is a book carousel featuring new and upcoming book titles available and soon-to-be available at the library. You can tap on a book cover to see more information on that title or on more to see more book lists.

My Account

My account screenshot showing My account at the top, with headers for checkouts, holds, fines, linked accounts, preferences, language, and sign out.

Tapping on My Account shows a list with checkouts, holds, and fines. Next to checkouts and holds, there is a number containing your current number of each. The number next to holds is the total number of items on hold, including items not yet ready for pickup.

Checkouts

Tapping on Checkouts brings up a list of currently checked out items, including items from hoopla. Checkouts are grouped by overdue, due soon, and general.

To view your checkout history (formerly called My Reading History), tap on your name under the Checkout History header. If you have linked accounts, the names on the accounts are listed under Checkout History as well. To renew an item, tap on select, choose the item(s) to renew, and then tap on renew selected.

screenshot of checkouts screen showing two buttons that read select and renew all, a drop down box labeled account, and a sample list of books.

Holds

Tapping on Holds will show your current lists of holds. They are grouped by ready for pickup and on hold. On hold is a list of all holds placed that are not yet ready to pickup. For items ready to be picked up, their pickup location is shown. For other items, your queue position is shown.

screenshot of holds screen showing two buttons that read select and all holds, a drop down box labeled account, and a sample list of books.

Linked Accounts

Linked Accounts is on the My Accounts screen. If you have any linked accounts there will be a number next to the Linked Accounts header. You can add a additional accounts by tapping on Linked Accounts and then on the Add button in the top right corner. Once additional accounts have been added, you can access the barcode(s) on the home screen.

To view checkouts and holds on linked accounts, go to either of those sections and tap on the account button. You can select which account holder’s checkouts or holds you would like to view.

screenshot showing a drop down account box with two names you can select.

Other Home Screen Buttons

The home screen includes other buttons as well. Library Calendar shows a list of upcoming events at the library. eBooks & eAudiobooks gives you quick shortcuts to access the Libby and hoopla apps. Digital Library has shortcuts to our digital resources.

screenshot of a list of our digital resources showing times union acess, new york times access, novelist and mango.

Wireless Printing is a quick shortcut you can use to print items from your phone or tablet for pickup at the library. Scan ISBN allows you to scan a book or item’s barcode to see if the library owns a copy. The other buttons include Hours & Contact, a link to our social media pages, and Nearby Libraries to see location and contact information for other libraries in UHLS.

Two Simple Methods to Remove AI Overviews on Google

If you have used Google to search within the past year, you’ve likely noticed that the first thing that appears is an AI overview.

It takes up a lot of screen space, and its summaries are not always correct.

There are a few ways you can hide the AI summary. In this post, we’ll go over two methods you can try.

The first is to add -ai after your search term. If you were searching for “what is the first sign of spring” type in “what is the first sign of spring -ai” (without the quotation marks).

screenshot showing a google search field with what is the first sign of spring -ai in the search field.

The second method is a little bit more complex, but you only have to do it once as an initial setup. This method is only available when using the Google Chrome browser on a desktop or laptop computer.

Open Chrome and click the three lines in the top right corner. Next, click on Settings. From there, click on Search Engine in the left menu. For the next step, click manage search engine and site search. Scroll down to Site Search and then click Add. In the Name and Shortcut fields, choose whichever custom name you’d like. In the URL field, type in: https://www.google.com/search?udm=14&q=%s and then click save. To make it your default search engine, click on the three dots next to the new entry and click on make default.

screenshot showing the settings when editing a custom search engine.

To search using this new search setting, click into the address bar. Next, type in your search term and then hit the enter key.

screenshot showing a close up of the Google Chrome browser's address bar with "what are the first signs of spring" entered in the address bar.

Currently, the ability to add a custom search URL is only available in the desktop version of the Chrome browser.

Do you have another method to hide the AI summary? Have you experienced incorrect AI summaries? Let us know in the comments!

How to Access the New York Times for Free

The Upper Hudson Library System is now offering free access to the New York Times. Using a unique code, users can access content including News, Cooking, Games, and more!

Accessing the New York Times

To begin, go to our landing page. From there, you will be directed to a landing page on the UHLS website to enter your library card number.

screenshot of the landing page on the UHLS website showing a header reading New York Times with a text box underneath where you can enter your library card number next to a submit button

Once you’ve entered your library card number, you’ll be directed to a NYT unique link that grants 24 hour access to the New York Times. To access content, you’ll need to create a free New York Times account. If you already have a free account, you can login with that account. If you currently pay for the New York Times, you will be unable to use that account.

screenshot of the screen used to access the New York Times containing a blacked out redemption code.

After you’ve accessed the NYT landing page, click on the Redeem button to continue. Next, login or create an account. If you don’t already have a free account, you can use an email address to create a new account. If you prefer, you can create a NYT account with your Google, Facebook, or Apple account as well.

screenshot of the login screen showing a box for an email address or the ability to use Google, Facebook or Apple account.

After you have either created an account or logged in with an existing free account, you will see a conformation screen:

Your access to the NYT lasts for 24 hours. After 24 hours, you will need access the link on our NYT landing page and login again. To proceed, click the continue button.

Next, you can choose which areas of the NYT you’d like to explore. Once you’ve made your choices, click the continue button on the bottom right.

Sections to Explore & Newsletters

screenshot showing the areas of the NYT you want to explore including news, games, wirecutter, cooking, the athletic and audio.

On the next screen, choose which areas of the NYT you are interested in browsing and click continue.

Continuing on, you can select which NYT newsletters you would like receive via email. Note: the emails are quite frequent. If you don’t want to receive any email from the NYT, uncheck all of the pre-selected choices. Click the View All button in the bottom right of the screen to confirm that all of the boxes are unchecked. If you see a plus symbol that means the selection is unchecked. Once you have made your selection, click continue to proceed.

screenshot showing which areas of NYT you would like to receive newsletters for. Includes breaking news, cooking, gameplay, new york today, where to eat: nyc, well, on politics, opinion today, and deal book.

Next, you can choose which NYT games you may want to play. Once you have made your choices, click continue. If you are not interested in Games, click continue without making a selection.

On the next screen, there is a prompt to download the app. If you want to use your phone, scan the QR code to continue. Otherwise, click the not right now button. Note: users have reported a delay in access when using the app.

Click Explore the New York Times to continue.

From here you can explore the site for 24 hours. Once 24 hours have passed, you need to access the site via the unique link mentioned above. Each time you access the NYT with the redemption link, you will need to go through the process above to choose which sections you prefer, which newsletters you want to receive and which games you like.

If you have any questions, please contact the library or the Upper Hudson Library System.

Discover a New Way to Return and Delete Kindle Ebooks from Your Device

If you’re a Kindle user and regularly use the Libby app, you may have noticed you can’t return your Kindle eBooks early in the same way you may be used to. In order to return a Kindle eBook loan early, you will now need to do it on the Amazon website or Amazon app.

After the eBook has been deleted, the title will still appear on your Kindle devices. Read on to learn how to return a Kindle eBook early and how to delete returned Kindle eBooks from your Kindle.

Returning a Kindle eBook

Start by going into the Libby app or to libbyapp.com from a browser. Next, go the shelf section of the app.

Go the book you would like to return early and tap Manage Loan. From there, tap on Return Early. Next, tap on Return with Kindle.

Screenshot showing the location of the steps mentioned in the directions with manage loan, return early and return with Kindle emphasized.

Next you’ll see an Amazon window pop up. If you are not logged in to Amazon, you will be prompted to log in. There will be a message stating that the digital book has already been claimed. Click on the “return this book” link to continue.

A conformation screen will pop up asking if you’re sure you want to return this digital library loan. Tap on yes.

screenshot showing the deletion conformation page with the word yes highlighted in yellow.

You’ll get a conformation from Amazon the book has been returned. When you go back to the Libby app, you can confirm you have returned the book has been returned. If you don’t complete the return process through Amazon, the book will remain on your shelf in the Libby app.

screenshot showing Libby asking if you were able to return the ebook via Amazon with the option Yes I've returned it in bold and the additional options no, I need help and skip also shown.

Deleting a Returned eBook from Your Kindle Library

Once you have returned the book, the title will still appear in your content library on your Kindle, but you will be unable to open it or read it. When you attempt to open it, you will see an error message prompting you to purchase the book if you want to read it:

screenshot showing a Kindle e-ink with the previously returned books still displayed. Second image shows title not available with the option to purchase.

If you would like to remove it from your library so it doesn’t appear on any of your Kindle devices, there are a couple of ways to do it, depending on if you’re on the desktop website or mobile.

On the desktop website, click on Accounts & Lists in the top right corner, and then click on Content Library:

screenshot showing how to access your content library from Amazon's desktop website.

In the mobile app, tap the three lines in the bottom corner. On the next screen, tap the account icon. In a mobile browser, tap your name in the top right and then tap the see all button next to Your Account:

Screenshots showing how to access your account from the amazon app with the account button, your name and menu options emphasized.

Next, scroll down and then tap on Content Library, and then books:

screenshot from desktop Amazon website showing content library and books highlighted.

From there, scroll down to the book you want to delete and then tap the delete button. There will be a confirmation asking if you’re sure you want to delete the title. Once you confirm, you’ll get a success message the item has been deleted. It will no longer appear on any of your Kindle devices. Please note you have to be connected to WiFi for the changes to take effect.

screenshot demonstrating the delete button and the delete conformation page.

If you have any questions about either process, feel free to call the library or leave a comment below.

Two Useful Features to Get More from Your Library Account

The Upper Hudson Library System has two features to help make using the library easier. These features help you track your reading history and receive timely text alerts when an item you have requested is ready for pick up.

Saving Your Reading History

If you have ever wanted to look back at previous books or items you have borrowed, there is an option to save your checkout history within your Upper Hudson Library System library account. Saving your reading history can to be turned on by logging into your library account on a computer or your device’s web browser. You cannot turn on your reading history from the UHLS app.

Go to the Upper Hudson Library System Catalog from either a desktop or mobile browser. Click on login in the top right hand corner of the screen. On a mobile browser, login is under the More heading.

Screenshot of UHLS catalog homepage.

To login to your account enter your library card barcode number and PIN. By default, your PIN is the last four digits of your phone number.

Screenshot showing the location of My Account on the desktop version of the UHLS catalog website.

After logging in, click on “My Account.” Clicking on “My Account” will take you to the “Edit account” page. From there, click on “Reading History” on the left sidebar menu.

Screenshot of the Reading History tab of the account page of the UHLS catalog.

Next, click on the “Save Reading History” button.

Viewing and Editing Your History

To access your checkout history, click on “Reading History.” You will be able to see the title, author, and the date the item was checked out. You can sort items in alphabetical order by clicking on either the title or author headings.

Screenshot of saved reading history.

Note: You will only see items you have checked out from this point forward. You cannot view items checked out before you turned on save reading history. If you would like to remove an item from your reading history, click the check box in the mark field, and then click the delete marked button. If you wish to clear your entire reading history, click on delete all.

You can always choose to turn your reading history off by clicking on “Opt Out.” Before you opt out you will need to delete your history.

Receiving Text Alerts from UHLS

You can receive text alerts from UHLS when you have an item available for pickup at the library. Like saving your reading history, opting in to receive text alerts from UHLS needs to be turned on by logging into your library account on either a computer or your device’s web browser.

Opting In

To add this service, login to your library account on the UHLS website. Next, click on “My Account,” then click on the “Edit account” button.

Screenshot of the Edit account button on the account page in the UHLS catalog.

When you click on “Edit account” a new window will open. Under “Mobile Settings” there is a space to type your phone number and a box to click on to opt in to receive text messages from UHLS.

Screenshot of the Mobile Settings option in the account of the UHLS catalog.

UHLS will send text alerts when your requested items are ready for pickup. Although UHLS does not charge for this service, message and data rates may apply.

To opt out from the UHLS Alerts, send a text message with one of the words: STOP, STOP ALL, END, QUIT, CANCEL or UNSUBSCRIBE to 82453 or 35143 from your mobile phone and you will no longer receive any text messages from UHLS via your mobile phone.

Supported Carriers

The phone carriers that support this program are listed below:

  • All West Wireless
  • Alltel
  • AT&T
  • Bluegrass
  • Boost
  • Cambridge Telecom
  • Cellcom
  • Cellular One
  • Cellular South
  • Centennial
  • Cincinatti Bell
  • Cricket
  • EKN – Appalachian Wireless
  • FMTC – Farmer’s Mutual Telephone Company
  • GCI – General Communications, Inc
  • Illinois Valley Cellular
  • Immix
  • Inland Cellular
  • Nex-Tech Wireless
  • Nextel Communications
  • NNTC – Nucla-Naturita Telephone Company
  • nTelos
  • Revol
  • Silver Star PCS
  • Snake River PCS
  • South Central Utah
  • Sprint
  • Syringa
  • T-Mobile
  • UBET Wireless/STRATA
  • United Wireless
  • US Cellular
  • Verizon Wireless
  • Virgin
  • West Central Wireless

We hope that these two features help improve your library experience. Need help with these features? Contact the library or leave a comment.