What Kind of Search Should I Use?

Basic Search
Basic searching allows you to search for any words in the title, author, or notes field.  You can also search by exact title, author (last name, first name), DVD/Video title, audiobook title and magazine/ newspaper title. 

Alphabetical Search
Browse searching allows you to browse the library’s collection alphabetically by author (last name, first name), title, subject, series, or several other fields.

Advanced Search
Advanced searching lets you search by multiple authors, title, and subject keywords and then refine the search by choosing one or more “or/and/not” operators.  The Advanced Search also lets you narrow your search by applying pre-defined limits and sorts to your search results, such as Audience, Format, Language and Location.

DVD, Videos, Audio books, and Music CDs Search
These preset searches allow you to generate a list of DVDs, Videos, Audiobooks or Music CDs either sorted alphabetically or by publication date.

How do I Get Started?

Click on either the Basic, Alphabetical or Advanced Search buttons and choose from the drop-down menus what you would like to search, then type in the search box and click Go. 

Find the COPY/HOLDING INFORMATION by clicking on the title or location link.  These are all the copies of the item that the library owns.

Note the LOCATION of the item.  If the item is at another branch you can place a hold on the item.

The COLLECTION column tells you where in the library the item is located.

The CALL NUMBER is the Dewey/subject or the number on the spine of all Non-Fiction items, and Fiction items are shelved alphabetically by the author’s last name.

To clear the screen and do another search, click on either the Basic, Alphabetical or Advanced search buttons. 

How Do I Place a Hold?

• You can either place a hold from the Summary page by clicking the PLACE HOLD button, or from the detailed Item Information page by clicking the PLACE HOLD ON FIRST AVAILABLE COPY button, both located on the right-hand side.
• If you are not already logged into your account (see “How Do I Renew My Items?"), you will need to type in your library card # and your PIN # (usually the last four digits of your phone number).
• Select your pick-up location from the drop-down menu and click the REQUEST button, then click RETURN TO SEARCHING (if you want to place more holds) or LOGOUT AND RETURN (if you are finished placing holds).
  

• Click the My Account/Renew tab and type in your library card # and PIN # (usually the last 4 digits of your phone #).
• Click the Overview tab and then click the Items Out section, or click on the Checked Out tab.
• Click in the box before each title you want to renew or click in the box underneath the Renew Button to select all of them.
• Click the Renew button at the top left or bottom left.

How Do I Change My Email Address and PIN #?

• Click the My Account/Renew tab and type in your library card # and your PIN # (last 4 digits of your phone #).
• Click the Profile tab.  Your personal information listed at the top can only be changed by circulation staff.
• Scroll down to Email Information and type in your email address, or delete your old email address and enter your new address and then click the Update button.
• Scroll down to Personal Identification Number.  Type in your old PIN, type your new PIN twice to confirm, and then click on the Update button.

How Do I Use My List?

My List is a feature that lets you create lists of library items.  You can create temporary lists of items or save the list for 30 days for future reference.  You can add or remove library items from a list, sort the items or email the list.   You can also save a list of items, move items from one list to another, and rename or delete a saved list. 

To Add an Item to My List

• Search for a library item.
• Click Add to My List next to the item you want to add.
• Each time you add an item to My List, the catalog displays the number of items in the current list next to the My List icon.  You may add as many items as you want to My List.

To Remove Item(s) from My List

• View the current My List or the saved list that you want.
• Mark the box next to each item that you want to remove from the list, or mark the box to the left of the Title column to remove all the items from the list at once.
• Click Remove.

To View a Current My List

• Click the My List button at the upper right-hand corner.  The catalog displays all the items in the current My List. 
• If you have not added any items to My List, the catalog displays the message “No items in list”. 

Saving a List

• Log in to your user account.
• Add items to My List.
• View the current My List.
• Mark the box to the left of the Title column to save all of the items in the list, or mark the box next to the items you want to save to a new list.
• Choose New List from the Move To drop-down list.
• Click Go.
• Enter a name for the new list in the box.
• Click OK.  The catalog saves the selected items in a new list and returns to the temporary My List.

Moving Items to a Saved List

• View the current My List or the saved list with the items you want to move.
• Mark the box to the left of the Title column to move all of the items in the list, or mark the box next to the items you want to move.
• Choose the saved list to which you want to move the items from the Move To drop-down list.
• Click Go.

Renaming a List

• Log in to your user account.
• Click the My List icon on the Toolbar.
• Click Manage Lists.
• Click the Rename link next to the list you want to rename.
• Enter a new name for the list in the box.
• Click OK.

Deleting a List

• Log in to your user account.
• Click the My List icon on the toolbar.
• Click on Manage Lists.
• Click the Delete link next to the list you want to delete.

What if I Still Need Help?

If you have any additional questions about using the catalog, please feel free to ask any of our staff for assistance by online form, by phone or in person at any of our three locations.