FAQs

How can I access AVL from home?

The Alabama Virtual Library uses geolocation technology to authenticate Alabama residents, which allows most Alabama residents to access AVL from their homes without the need for a username and password.

If you are geographically located in Alabama and geolocation technology is unable to determine your location, you can click here to attempt to authenticate via your device's physical location.

If you are unable to authenticate using geolocation or your device's physical location, you will need to log in with an AVL account in order to access AVL resources. Usually AVL accounts are obtained by visiting your local public library or school library if you are a student. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak libraries and schools in Alabama have closed and it may be difficult for you to obtain an account. If you are unable access AVL resources via geolocation or your device's physical location, please call the AVL Help Desk and receive temporary log in credentials. The temporary credentials will remain valid for at least two months. We do not give out temporary credentials via e-mail.

I reside in Alabama and AVL will not Geo IP authenticate me. What could be causing this?

Are you using a cellular data network, personal hotspot, VPN, or satellite internet connection or do you reside near the state line?
Cellular data networks, personal hotspots, satellite internet connections and Internet connections from neighboring states may pull their IP addresses from outside of Alabama. If you live in Alabama (and you are using one of these connection types) your IP address may be coming from another state. If you are geographically located in Alabama and are using a cellular data connection, hotspot, VPN, satellite internet or your Internet connection is coming from a neighboring state, you can attempt to authenticate via your device's physical location.
 

If you do not have an AVL account, you would usually visit your local public library or school library if you are a student to obtain an account. Due to the COVID-19 Outbreak libraries and schools in Alabama have closed and you may have a difficult time obtaining an AVL account. If you need an AVL account in order to access AVL resources, you can call the AVL Help Desk at 1-800-338-8320 or 256-971-7487 and receive temporary AVL login credentials. You will be able to use these temporary credentials to access AVL resources. We do not give out temporary log in credentials via e-mail.

My location is detected within Alabama, but I can't access AVL resources. What could be causing this?

If you are having problems accessing AVL resources, please try the following:

  • If your location is detected within Alabama, click here to clear any stored authentication data and then attempt to log in via IP authentication on the log in page. This will flush any previously-stored AVL authentication information that may be preventing you from accessing AVL resources.
     
  • If you are geographically located in Alabama and are unable to log in via IP authentication, click here to to attempt to log in via your device's physical location.  Once you have authenticated via your device's physical location, you will not need to attempt to authenticate via IP.
     
  • If your location is detected outside of Alabama, you will need to sign in with an AVL account. Click here or click the login icon (located in the top right of the webpage) to login. If you do not have an AVL account, you would usually request one from your local public library or school library if you are a student. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak libraries and schools in Alabama are closed and you may find it difficult to obtain an AVL account from your public library or school. If you need an AVL account, please call the AVL Help Desk at 1-800-338-8320 or 256-971-7487 and receive temporary log in credentials. These credentials will remain valid for at least two months.

If you continue to experience issues accessing AVL resources, please contact the AVL Help Desk.

Where can I get an AVL account?

Please contact your local public library to obtain an AVL account. K-12 students/staff in public schools may obtain an AVL account by contacting their school library.

Renewal - AVL accounts must be renewed every five years. A week before your account is scheduled to expire, you will receive an e-mail reminding you that your account is about to expire. The e-mail will contain information on how you can renew your AVL account. If a patron moves, a new account may be obtained from the public library or school system where the patron resides. Accounts can be renewed for patrons that continue to reside in the same community or attend the same school system. Note: Access may be denied at any time by AVL if access is abused.

I was recently issued an AVL account. How do I log in with my account?

Shortly after your account is issued, you should receive an e-mail that contains a one-time activation link. You will need to click on the one-time activation link in order to activate your AVL account and to set your password. The e-mail will be sent to the e-mail account that was used to request your AVL account. Once you have activated your account and set your password, you can log into AVL using your new AVL account. To log into AVL with your account, please follow these steps:

  1. Click on the AVL login login_unauthenticated_bluebg.png icon.
  2. Enter your user ID into the User ID field. Your user ID is your full e-mail address.
  3. Enter your password into the Password field.
  4. Click on the Log In button.

If did not receive the e-mail containing the one-time activation link or if you experience any issues setting your password, please contact the AVL Help Desk.

I forgot my password. How do I reset it?

If you need to reset your password, please follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Log In login_unauthenticated_bluebg.png icon.
  2. Click on the Request New Password link (underneath the Username and Password fields).
  3. One the User Account screen, make sure that you are on the Request New Password tab.
  4. Enter the e-mail address that is associated with your AVL account.
  5. Click on the E-mail New Password button.
  6. You will receive an e-mail that contains a link that you will need to click on. Clicking on the link will take you to the Reset Password screen.
  7. From the Reset Password Screen click on the Log In button.
  8. Enter your new password into the Password and Confirm Password field and click on the Save button.

If you do not receive the e-mail containing the link to reset your password or if you experience any issues resetting your password, please contact the AVL Help Desk.

 

Is there a fee to access AVL resources?

There are no fees associated with AVL. AVL resources are provided to all Alabama citizens through funding from the Alabama Legislature.

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