Search for the institution accurately
Use the library's full name and location in Kanopy's finder, then compare the result with the library's own digital-resources page. A nearby library in the results is not automatically the institution connected to the reader's card. Geographic proximity and membership are different conditions.
If the library is not listed, Kanopy says it may not offer the service. The appropriate question belongs with that library. Reinstalling the app repeatedly will not add a nonparticipating institution to the catalogue, and another person's library credentials should not be used as a substitute for eligibility.
Read the sign-in route
Some libraries ask for a card number and PIN in Kanopy; others direct members through the library's website. That redirect can be the intended route. Before entering credentials, confirm that the page is the genuine library or Kanopy site described by the library's own instructions.
| What happens | Where to begin |
|---|---|
| Library is missing from the finder | Library participation and digital-resources information |
| Library is found but rejects the card | Library membership, card and PIN checks |
| A library sign-in page opens | The institution's documented authentication route |
| Library is linked but Kanopy sign-in fails | The Kanopy account and its recovery process |
Keep the accounts separate
The library credential establishes the institutional relationship; the Kanopy account organises viewing. Use the appropriate recovery process for the failing account. Resetting a Kanopy password does not change an expired library card or an incorrect library PIN.
When asking for assistance, include the library name and exact error, while keeping card numbers, PINs and passwords private. This provides enough context to identify the correct support route without exposing the credentials that protect the account.
Questions about this guide
Can I choose any library that appears nearby?
Only use a library or institution to which you genuinely belong and whose access requirements you meet.