Description

If the Library Extension is not showing any results for your library, and your library’s catalog is protected by Cloudflare, the catalog’s bot-protection settings may be blocking the Extension from working.

Technical Background

The Library Extension works by loading your library’s search results and item availability pages directly in your browser, and reading the content that is already returned by the catalog. It does not execute any scripts, solve puzzles, or otherwise interact with the page beyond reading its content - the same way the page would be read if you viewed it yourself.

Some libraries use Cloudflare’s bot challenge features (sometimes shown as a “Verify you are human” or “Checking your browser” page) to protect their catalog from automated traffic. When a Cloudflare challenge is placed in front of a catalog, it intercepts the Extension’s request before the catalog’s real content is ever returned, so the Extension has nothing to read and cannot show search results or availability for that library. This extends beyond just Cloudflare supported sites - other providers also provide similar features and may not be detected accurately yet by the extension.

This is not a bug in the Library Extension, and it is not something that can be fixed from the Extension’s side - it’s a deliberate setting chosen by the library or their catalog host that blocks all automated requests, including the read-only requests the Extension makes on your behalf.

Affected Providers

We are aware of this issue and are working directly with catalog providers who are impacted, to help them configure their Cloudflare or other bot blocking settings in a way that continues to protect their site while still allowing read-only tools like the Library Extension to function.

• Bookmate - We have reached out to Bookmate about this issue and are awaiting a response.
• SirsiDynix - Resolved. SirsiDynix-hosted catalogs were affected by a bot-protection redirect that kept the Extension from reaching search results. As of version 2026.810.1 that block has been resolved, and SirsiDynix-hosted catalogs are searchable again.

Libraries Not Supporting the Extension

In some cases, a library is aware of this issue and has chosen not to make changes to support the Library Extension:

• Houston Public Library has declined to support the Library Extension at this time.

What You Can Do

If your library’s catalog is affected by a Cloudflare or other bot challenge, the most effective thing you can do is let your library know that you’d like them to allow the Library Extension. Libraries are often more responsive to feedback from their own patrons than from the Extension developers directly.

Please also write in to [email protected] and let us know which library is affected. If we’re already working to resolve the issue with your library or their catalog provider, we’ll keep you updated on our progress.