Your user account will allow you to:
- View the items you have checked-out and the due dates
- Renew items that you have checked-out
- Update your home mailing address and contact information
- Create and save bibliographies
- Rate and review resources
- Request items through the catalog’s reservation feature
To request your user account, fill out this form on the Media Center website: https://nccumc.org/mediacenter/catalog/opals-account-request/. You will receive an email with your username and password after your request has been processed during business hours. Once you have your username and password, you can log in on the top right of the screen:
Changing Your Password
The first thing you should do is change your password. Hover over the My File tab and click Change Password.
Enter the password you received in the email, and then enter your new password twice. Click Change. If you forget your password, email the Media Center at ldallas@nccumc.org, and we will reset it for you during business hours.
My File
This tab appears next to the Search tab when you are logged in. Hover over the tab to see the pop‐up menu.
Profile
View and edit your contact information. Reserve requests will be mailed to the address on file for you.
To edit your contact information, click the edit link next to your name. You may edit your:
- Name
- Preferred method of contact (Phone or Email)
- Email address
- Phone numbers
- Primary address NOTE: If you prefer to receive packages at your church, your primary address will be blank. Contact the Media Center to update your church address if it changes.
Account Info
View items you have checked‐out and items you have reserved.
Items on loan will show the items checked-out to you and the due dates. The price listed is the cost to the Media Center to replace the item should it be damaged or lost.
Items on reserve will show the status of your reservations. If a date is shown in the Hold Expires column, then this item is currently available and will be mailed to you. You will receive an email when it is mailed. If the Hold Expires column is empty for an item, then this item is currently checked-out. It will be mailed to you when it is returned. You can view the due date for the current borrower by searching in the catalog and viewing the Item Record.
Lost/Damage/Overdue History shows items that you have returned that were checked-in past their due dates or items that were never returned and were declared lost. The Media Center is flexible about due dates, and there are no penalties. Do not be concerned if you have items listed here. It does not in any way affect your ability to borrow from the Media Center.
My Loans
This page will provide you with a cover image and due date for each item you have checked-out. You can click on the title of each item to see the full description.
To Renew Items, click on the Renew link at the bottom of the box to extend your due date for that item. You must renew each item individually. If the item has been reserved by another church, you will not be able to renew it. If your renewal is successful, you will see a confirmation box with your new due date.
My Request/My Reserve
This page lists the items that you have requested to borrow by putting them on reserve. If the item is available, the Status field will show “hold” and the item will be mailed to you the next business day. If the item is not currently available, the Status field will show “reserve” and the item will be mailed to you when it is returned. You will receive an email when your request is mailed. You may cancel any of your reservations by clicking the Cancel button at the end of the line.
Searching the Catalog
Browsing the Catalog
Requesting Resources
Creating Bibliographies
Pathfinders and Other Ideas for Finding Your Next Study