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LIBRARY CATALOG Help |
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General
Help |
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Holdings Display |
General Help
What is the Library Catalog?
The Library Catalog is an online database containing the holdings of the
Using and Exiting the Library Catalog
Using the Catalog
- Choose a location to highlight from the drop down menu at the Welcome Screen. An item owned by the highlighted library will display in bold text on the Brief Record Hitlist and will be preceded by two asterisks. An item not owned by the highlighted library will display non-bolded and without asterisks. Searches may also be limited to items owned by one library while using the Catalog.
- Click the BEGIN button.
- Follow the numbered steps on the Search page to locate library materials.
Exiting the Catalog
- Click the LOG OUT button located at the top right corner of most Catalog pages. Logging out will clear any personal information from the screen that is associated with My Account.
Searching the Catalog
Follow the numbered steps on the Search page to find items in the Library Catalog.
1. Enter a word or phrase to search
In the search box, enter a word, words or phrase that describes an item.
- Punctuation is generally optional.
- It is not necessary to include periods, commas, apostrophes, etc. Hyphens should be included in names such as Trevor-Roper, H. R.
- None of the catalog searches are case sensitive. Words may be entered using uppercase or lowercase letters. TrEaTy is treated the same as treaty.
- The Catalog ignores all extra spaces.
2. Select a Search Type
There are three types of searches: Exact Start searches, Keyword searches and a Numeric (ISBN or ISSN) search.
Exact Start Searches (Title, Author or Subject)
An Exact Start search is used when one of three pieces of information about a desired item is known - title, author or subject.
An Exact Start search can answer questions like these:
- Does the library own a copy
of City of
- Where can I find a book by David Quammen?
- Does the library have any books about birdhouses?
Title Search
tips
Author Search tips
Subject Search tips
Keyword Searches (Keyword, Advanced Keyword, Title Keyword, Author Keyword or Subject Keyword)
A Keyword Search is used when there is less certainty about a desired item. It can also be used to combine several known pieces of information into one search.
A Keyword Search can answer questions like these:
- I'm looking for a book by someone with the last name Spencer. Or maybe that was his first name?
- I'm looking for a book and I know it has the word dodo in the title. How can I find it?
- I need a book about how people deal with change. Does the library have anything like that?
Keyword
Search tips
Advanced Keyword Search tips
Title Keyword Search tips
Author Keyword Search tips
Subject Keyword Search tips
Keyword Wildcards
When a Keyword Search is done, the Catalog looks for exact matches of search words. Keyword Wildcards may be used in the search box to broaden search results or eliminate the need for multiple searches. This wildcards may be used in a keyword Search and in an Advanced Keyword Search.
? - The question mark replaces a single character.
For Example:
wom?n may find women or woman
$ - The dollar sign represents any number of characters.
For Example:
cook$ may find cook, cooks, cookery or cooking
3. Optional Search Limits (Keyword Searches Only)
Keyword search results may be limited in four ways: Location, Date, Language and Type of Material. Use the Optional Search Limits drop down menus to set limits before clicking the Submit Search button.
Location
Select a Location from the drop down menu to limit search results to a particular library. A search may be limited to one location at a time.
Date
Select a single year, a decade or a century from the drop down menu to limit search result by Date. A single year, a decade or a century may be searched at one time.
Language
Select a Language from the drop down menu to limit search results to a certain language. Results may be limited to one language only.
Type of Material
Select a Type of Material from the drop down menu to limit search results to a specific format. Only one material type may be searched at a time. The Type of Material options are:
- Fiction finds fictional books
- Nonfiction finds non-fiction and reference books.
- Large Print finds large print books.
- Magazine finds magazines and other items that are published on a scheduled or irregular basis. Try one of the B&ECPL's electronic databases to find articles on a specific topic.
- Audiobook finds audiobooks, books on tape and books on CD.
- Audio
cassette finds
musical cassettes.
- Compact
Disc (sound recording) finds musical CDs.
- DVD
(multi-media)
finds only DVDs.
- VHS
Cassette finds
only VHS tapes.
- Language Kit finds only language cassettes and CDs.
- Map finds only maps and atlases.
- Musical
Score finds
printed music.
- Software finds CD-ROMs.
- Young
Adult finds
materials geared toward young adults.
- Childrens’
Audio Book
finds audio books on cassette and CD for children.
- Childrens’
Cassette finds
musical cassettes for children.
- Childrens’
CD finds
musical CDs for children.
- Childrens’
DVD finds DVDs
for children.
- Childrens’
Fiction finds
fictional books for children.
- Childrens’
Large Print
finds large print books for children.
- Childrens’ Media Kit finds media kits for children.
- Childrens’ Nonfiction finds non-fiction and reference books for children.
- Childrens’ Software finds CD-ROMs for children.
- Childrens’ VHS Cassette finds VHS cassettes for children.
4. Submit Search
Click Submit Search to search the Catalog using the information provided.
An Exact Start search yields a Headings Hitlist. Click here for help with the Headings Hitlist.
A Keyword search yields a Brief Record Hitlist when more that one matching title is found. Click here for help with the Brief Record Hitlist.
Title Search Tips
A Title Search works best when the title of a specific item is known. The Catalog will display a list of titles, beginning with the closest match.
- Always start with the first word of the title, but eliminate the first word if it is A, An or The.
- Enter as many of the exact beginning words as desired, but do not skip any intermediate words.
- Try a Keyword Search or Title Keyword Search if a Title Search is unsuccessful.
Examples:
- song of the dodo (actual title: The Song of the Dodo)
- restaurant at the end of the u (actual title: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe)
- american
in
Author Search Tips
An Author Search works best when a specific author's name is known. The Catalog will display a list of authors, beginning with the closest match.
- Always enter a person's name in the format Last Name, First Name.
- When unsure about the spelling of a first name, enter a last name and first initial only.
- An author can be a writer, illustrator, translator, actor, musician, etc. An author can also be a government agency, musical group, corporation or organization.
- Try a Keyword Search or Author Keyword Search if an Author Search is unsuccessful.
Examples:
- cook robin (author's actual name: Robin Cook)
- saint-saens camille (composer's actual name: Camille Saint-Saens)
- difranco a (singer's actual name: Ani DiFranco)
- goo goo dolls (band's actual name: Goo Goo Dolls)
- dow chemical (corporation's actual name: Dow Chemical Company)
Subject Search Tips
A Subject search works best when the official subject heading that describes the item is known. Most of the subject headings in the Catalog are from a list created by the Library of Congress. The Catalog will display a list of subjects, beginning with the closest match.
- Always start with the first word of the subject.
- Enter a person's name in the format Last Name, First Name to find biographical or critical materials.
- Try a Keyword Search or Subject Keyword Search if a Subject Search is unsuccessful.
Examples:
- snowboarding
- job hunting
- lyme disease
- underground
railroad --
Keyword Search Tips
A Keyword Search works best when specific author, title or subject information is unknown. The program locates search words wherever they appear in any indexed area (author, title, publication, edition, notes, series and subject). A Keyword Search can also be used to combine several known pieces of indexed information into one search. Keyword Search is the Catalog's default search type, if no other type is selected. The Catalog will locate all the words entered in the search box and display a list of matching titles. See Refining Keyword Search to learn how to construct more precise Keyword Searches.
- This is the most general search type. It will produce the largest number of results. Some of the results may not pertain directly to a desired item.
- Words may be entered in any order. Place quotation marks " " around two or more words that must be found in the same line.
- The Catalog ignores very common words unless they are enclosed within quotation marks. The stop words are: a, an, as, at, be, but, by, do, for, if, it, of, on, the, to.
- By default and, or, not are treated as search words. To use and, or, not as Boolean operators, see Refining Keyword Search or try an Advanced Keyword Search.
- For a more focused Keyword Search, try a Title Keyword Search, Author Keyword Search or Subject Keyword Search.
Examples:
- edward
abbey arches (desired result: A book about
- haynes "honda accord" (desired result: A Haynes repair manual for a Honda Accord)
- ian nature design (desired result: A book by an author whose first name is Ian; the words Nature and Design appear somewhere in the title)
- presley "blue suede shoes" (desired result: An Elvis Presley recording of Blue Suede Shoes)
- "whats opera doc" (desired result: A video containing the cartoon classic "What's Opera, Doc?")
Refining a Keyword Search
Keyword Searches can be constructed to make use of qualifiers, Boolean operators, and proximity operators. These complex Keyword Search strategies are optional.
Qualifiers limit searches to specific indexes, such as author, title, or subject. A qualifier must be preceded by a Boolean operator, unless it is the first element in the search string.
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Keyword Qualifier |
Index |
Examples |
|
|
AU |
Author |
au marzollo and au wick au marzollo not au wick au marzollo or au wick wick and au marzollo |
Finds all materials co-written by the authors Marzollo and Wick. Finds all materials written by any author named Marzollo, but not if they were co-written by the author Wick. Finds all materials written by any author named Marzollo and all materials written by any author named Wick. Finds all records that contain the word wick that are written by an author named Marzollo. |
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TI |
Title |
ti venus and ti mars ti ducks and au cahill |
Finds all records that contain the title word venus and the title word mars. Finds all records that contain the title word duck that are written by an author named Cahill. |
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SU |
Subject |
su golf and au horton smith hawaii or su oahu |
Finds all records about golf written by Horton Smith. Finds all record that contain the word Hawaii and all records that contain the subject word Oahu. |
Boolean operators are used to narrow or expand a search. A Boolean operator must be followed by a qualifier or by a word or words enclosed within parentheses.
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Keyword Boolean Operator |
Description |
Examples |
|
AND |
Linking words with AND narrows search results by finding records that contain all the search words. |
ti venus and au grey ti venus and (gr?y) |
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OR |
Linking words with OR expands search results by finding records that contain at least one search word. |
su rutabaga or su turnip$ rutabaga or (turnip) |
|
NOT |
Use NOT to eliminate a word from the search results. Use NOT with caution; relevant items be may inadvertently eliminated |
au gray and ti planet not ti venus gray and (planet) not ti venus |
Proximity operators are used between search words to indicate that the words must occur in a record within a specified direction and distance of each other.
|
Keyword Proximity Operator |
Description |
Examples |
|
|
N# Near |
N# finds words
situated a specific distance from each other in any order. |
theory n2 relativity |
Finds theory of relativity and relativity theory |
|
W# Within |
W# finds words
situation a specific distance from each other in this order. |
success$ w3 job |
Finds success on the job, success in job and successful job, but not job success |
Advanced Keyword Search Tips
An Advanced Keyword Search uses the Catalog's most powerful search engine. It offers the ability to construct complex and precise Keyword Searches. The Catalog will display a list of titles that includes matching words. Keyword wildcards and Advanced search operators may be used.
Advanced Search Operators
Operators (AND, OR, NOT, NEAR#) may be used to refine
or expand a search.
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Advanced Search Operators |
Description |
Examples |
|
AND |
Linking words
with AND will reduce search results by finding
items that contain all the words. |
|
|
OR |
Linking words
with OR will increase search results by finding
items that contain at least one word. OR may be
used to find variant spellings, similar concepts or synonyms. In complex
searches, parentheses must enclose words connected by OR. |
cockatiel or cockatoo |
|
NOT |
Use NOT to eliminate a word. Use NOT
with caution; relevant items may be inadvertently eliminated. |
venus and mars not planet |
|
NEAR# |
The NEAR operator allows searching for terms, situated a specified
distance away from each other, in any order. Use NEAR# to indicate the distance to search. NEAR1 equals zero or one word between terms. |
television near2 violence |
Title Keyword Search Tips
A Title Keyword Search works best when some of a title's words are known, or when the first word of a title is unknown. The Catalog will display a list of titles that includes the matching title words.
- Words may be entered in any order.
- Do not use and, or, not as Boolean operators here. Try a refined Keyword Search or an Advanced Keyword Search instead.
- Try a Keyword Search if a Title Keyword Search is unsuccessful.
Examples:
- iron rooster (desired result: A book with the words Iron and Rooster in the title)
- women venus (desired result: A book with the words Women and Venus in the title)
Author Keyword Search Tips
An Author Keyword Search works best when some of an author's name is known. The Catalog will display a list of titles that includes the matching author words.
- Words may be entered in any order.
- Avoid very common names.
- Do not use and, or, not as Boolean operators here. Try a refined Keyword Search or an Advanced Keyword Search instead.
- Try a Keyword Search if an Author Keyword Search is unsuccessful.
Examples:
- lynne reid (desired result: A book by Lynne Reid Banks; unsure of surname)
- gabriel garcia marquez (desired result: A book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez ; unsure if Garcia or Marquez is the surname)
Subject Keyword Search Tips
A Subject Keyword Search works best when one or more of the official subject words is known, but the first word of the subject heading is unknown. The Catalog will display a list of titles that includes the matching subject words.
- Enter subject words in any order.
- Do not use and, or, not as Boolean operators here. Try a refined Keyword Search or an Advanced Keyword Search instead.
- Try a Keyword Search if a Subject Keyword Search is unsuccessful.
Examples:
- marthas
vineyard fiction (desired result: A fictional story set on
- bed
breakfast
Numeric (ISBN or ISSN) Search Tips
The Numeric Search offers a direct way to find items by the various numbers that are often assigned to them. Numbers can include ISBNs and ISSNs.
In the search box, enter the numeric value for which to search.
|
Numeric Search Types |
Examples |
|
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique
10-digit number that is often assigned to published books. A book's ISBN can
usually be found on the back side of the title page. Enter an ISBN WITHOUT
spaces or hyphens. |
0679407359 |
|
An ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is a unique
8-digit number assigned to serially published items such as magazines and
newspapers. Enter an ISSN WITH a hyphen. |
1057-5251 |
Hitlists and Displays
A Hitlist is a screen containing the results of a search. A Display presents the details for one item. The Catalog offers several Hitlist and Display formats.
Headings Hitlist
Exact Start Title, Author and Subject searches generate Headings Hitlists. Beginning with the closest match, a list of matching title, author or subject headings is displayed. A number following the heading (3 titles, for example) indicates the number of titles that contain the matching heading.
Heading Hitlist Steps:
- From the list of headings, choose the best match.
- Click the number following the heading to view the items in a Brief Record Hitlist. If the number of titles is 1, a Holdngs Display for that title is generated.
Brief Record Hitlist
A Brief Record Hitlist is a list of matching items presented as abbreviated citations. Items owned by the highlighted library display in bold text and are offset with **. The Catalog presents 10 items per page.
Each brief record citation on a hitlist usually includes an item's:
- format, indicated by an
icon
Click here for a list of the icons in the FAQ. - author
- title
- brief physical description
- publisher
- publication date
- edition, if present
- cover art, if available
- enhanced content icons, if
available
Click here for a list of the enhanced content icons in the FAQ.
The Catalog offers several options for working with a Brief Record Hitlist.
Brief Record Hitlist Options:
- Click Next Page to view the subsequent page of items, when a hitlist generates more than ten results. An individual page number can also be clicked. Click Previous Page to return to the preceding hitlist page.
- Click an item's title to find its call number, check for available copies, view details, or place an online request.
- Organize a hitlist into alphabetical order by author, title or subject by clicking the Sort drop down menu. Hitlists may also be sorted by material or publication date.
- Switch to a Full Record Hitlist view.
- Save a single item or an entire hitlist to "My Book Bag" for later review.
- Click the link icon to connect to a web site, if present.
- Click Refine Search to modify and resubmit a search.
- E-mail up to 100 hitlist items to as many as ten different e-mail addresses.
- Download the entire hitlist as a text file to print or save.
- Return to the Headings Hitlist when the initial search was submitted as an exact start title, author or subject.
Full Record Hitlist
A Full Record Hitlist shows a list of matching items presented with more detailed citations than found in the Brief Record Hitlist. It is an alternate, optional view of results. The Catalog presents 10 items per page.
Each full record on a hitlist usually includes an item's:
- format, indicated by an icon
- title
- author
- publisher and date of publication
- subject headings
- physical description
- notes
- ISBN
- Cover art, if available
Full Record Hitlist Options:
- Click Next Page to view the subsequent page of items, when a hitlist generates more than ten results. An individual page number can also be clicked. Click Previous Page to return to the preceding hitlist page.
- Click "Buffalo & Erie County Public" to find an item's call number, check for available copies, view details or place an online request.
- Click an item's title to find other items with the same title. Click an author's name to find other items by the author. Click an item's subjects to find other items on the same topic.
- Organize a hitlist into alphabetical order by author, title or subject by clicking the Sort drop down menu. Hitlists may also be sorted by material or publication date.
- Switch to a Brief Record Hitlist view.
- Save a single item or an entire hitlist to "My Book Bag" for later review.
- Click Refine Search to modify and resubmit a search.
- E-mail up to 100 hitlist items to as many as ten e-mail accounts.
- Return to a Headings Hitlist when an initial search was submitted as an exact start title, author or subject.
Holdings Display
The Holdings Display presents the full description of a single item. It also lists locations that own a copy.
The initial Holdings Display page is the default display and includes:
- title
- author
- a table displaying copy information: a Library, Call Number, Material and Current Location.
Example:
|
Library |
Call Number |
Copy |
Material |
Location |
|
Central Library |
DVD 907 |
1 |
DVD |
Being
transferred between libraries |
|
Audubon
Library |
DVD 907 |
1 |
DVD |
Material has been
checked/charged out |
|
Lancaster
Library |
DVD 907 |
1 |
DVD |
Audio Visual |
|
West Seneca
Library |
DVD 907 |
1 |
DVD |
Audio Visual |
|
Williamsville
Library |
DVD 907 |
1 |
DVD |
Being
transferred between libraries |
Clicking Expand Record will expand the Holdings Display page to show:
- publisher
- subject headings
- physical description
- notes
- ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
- DBCN (Database Control Number)
- linking titles (if a serial)
Clicking Collapse Record will return to the initial Holdings Display view.
Holdings Display Options:
- Click Next Record to view the Holdings Display of the next item in a hitlist.
- Click Previous Record to return to the preceding hitlist item.
- Request a copy unless no request may be placed.
- Click an item's title to find other items with the same title. Click an author's name to find other items by the author. Click an item's subjects to find other items on the same topic.
- Switch to a Brief Record Hitlist or Full Record Hitlist view.
- Save an item to "My Book Bag" for later review.
- Click Refine Search to modify and resubmit a search.
- Download an item.
- Return to the Headings Hitlist when the initial search was submitted as an exact start title, author or subject.
- View an item in the MARC (MAchine Readable Cataloging) format.
"My Book Bag"
"My Book Bag" is a temporary, personal list of catalog titles. This list will expire when the catalog session ends, but can be e-mailed or printed during the session. "My Book Bag" titles are not automatically placed on hold. They must be individually requested using a library card and PIN before the session ends.
To add titles to the list when searching the Catalog, click Add to "My Book Bag." Optionally, click Add all items to "My Book Bag" to capture an entire hitlist. Click "My Book Bag" to access the list. "My Book Bag" titles are listed in the order in which they were added and may be eliminated from the list by clicking Remove from "My Book Bag."
It is possible to redisplay the "My Book Bag" list before printing using one of these formats:
- Citation List: Displays author, title, edition, publication information and ISBN.
- Full Record List: Displays Citation List information and other details, along with owning locations and call numbers.
- Shelf List: Displays Citation List information and includes owning locations and call numbers.
- MARC Record: Displays in the MARC format, but without owning locations or call numbers.
My Account
The My Account page displays information about a personal library account.
- Click from the menu at the top right of most Catalog pages.
- Enter a library card number.
- Using the mouse, click in the PIN box.
- Enter the four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).
- Click the Login button.
The Checkouts section lists titles checked out, number of times renewed, due dates, overdue fines due as of now, and item numbers. The Titles on request section lists requested titles, call numbers, pickup locations, and pickup availability. These lists can be sorted. The Bills section calculates the amount of outstanding bills that are owed. To print this page, click the Print This Page button at the bottom of the window.
Several actions may be performed from this page:
Change a PIN
Click the Change PIN Option button to change the Personal Identification Number for the account. Enter the current PIN, the new PIN, confirm the new PIN and click Change PIN. A message confirms that the PIN has been changed.
Renew Items
Click the Renew All or Some Items button. Titles preceded by a white check box may be available for renewal. Titles preceded by a gray check box are not available to renew. Click the check box before each item to be renewed. Click Renew Selected Items. The screen will refresh. If the renewal was successful, a new due date appears along with the message This item has been renewed. If the title could not be renewed, the message This item cannot be renewed displays. Click the Back to Account Information button when finished.
Cancel Requests
You may delete requests that are not already being held for you. Click the check box preceding the titles to be cancelled. Click Cancel Selected Holds. To cancel all holds, click the Cancel All Holds button without clicking any check boxes.
When requests are cancelled, the system removes the titles from the list. If the title remains on the list, it was not cancelled.
- Close the My Account window to ensure privacy after viewing information. Click the LOG OUT button when finished using the Catalog.
Technical Issues
For security purposes, when you click on the "My Account" feature, a new window opens. Your browser must be configured to allow a new window to open.
If you have problems, contact whoever provides Technical Support for your computer (e.g. Internet Service Provider or Help Desk at work).
Instructions for Microsoft Internet Explorer:
*Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01:
Please check your browser for the following settings:
Go to View, then Internet Options. In the browsing section, search for an
option called "Browse in a New Process". This option MUST be
selected. You must close and restart your browser, so changes will take effect.
*Microsoft Internet Explorer
5.0:
Please check your browser for the following settings:
Go to Tools, then Internet Options. In the Browsing section, search for an
option called "Launch Browser Window in a Separate Process". This
option MUST be selected. You must close and restart your browser, so changes
will take effect.
*Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 AND 5.5:
This is no longer an option in this version of the browser. If your PC has at least 32MB of memory, it is automatically selected. If your PC has less than 32MB of memory, Internet Explorer is automatically set NOT to open a 2nd window. It cannot be changed. Since the "My Account" feature opens another window, this could cause a problem that cannot be resolved until an action such as adding more memory is taken.
Requesting Materials
Whenever the Request Title image is present, a request may be placed. Requests for materials may be placed for borrowers in good standing. As many as fifteen requests may be on a borrower's record at one time. However, only one request per title may be placed unless individual volumes of a multi-volume set are listed. Requests may not be filled for magazines, uncataloged material, reference materials and titles for which the library has no holdings.
To place a request:
- Click the
icon. - Enter a library card number and PIN. Click Login.
- The Submit Request page appears.
- Confirm that the title listed on this page is correct.
- From the drop-down menu, select a pickup location.
- Leave the check mark in the First Available box to receive any copy of this title. Click a specific volume of a multi-volume set to request any copy of that volume.
- Click the Submit Request button.
- A successful or unsuccessful request submission message appears. Contact the library for assistance if the request submission was unsuccessful.
- When the item is available for pickup, notification is sent through e-mail or by the automated telephone system. The date by which material should be picked up will be provided.
- For privacy, be sure to LOG OUT at the end of the Catalog session.
- To confirm that the request has been placed or check the status of a request, click on the My Account button within the Catalog.
Technical Issues
For security purposes, when you click on the "Request Title" feature, a new window opens. Your browser must be configured to allow a new window to open.
If you have problems, contact whoever provides Technical Support for your computer (e.g. Internet Service Provider or Help Desk at work).
Instructions for Microsoft Internet Explorer:
*Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.01:
Please check your browser for the following settings:
Go to View, then Internet Options. In the browsing section, search for an
option called "Browse in a New Process". This option MUST be
selected. You must close and restart your browser, so changes will take effect.
*Microsoft Internet Explorer
5.0:
Please check your browser for the following settings:
Go to Tools, then Internet Options. In the Browsing section, search for an
option called "Launch Browser Window in a Separate Process". This
option MUST be selected. You must close and restart your browser, so changes
will take effect.
*Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 AND 5.5:
This is no longer an option in this version of the browser. If your PC has at least 32MB of memory, it is automatically selected. If your PC has less than 32MB of memory, Internet Explorer is automatically set NOT to open a 2nd window. It cannot be changed. Since the "Request Title" feature opens another window, this could cause a problem that cannot be resolved until an action such as adding more memory is taken.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How frequently is the Catalog updated?
The Catalog is updated with bibliographic records on a daily basis.
How do I get a library card?
Library cards may be obtained and used at any B&ECPL facility. A new card is issued free of charge. Certain identification requirements must be met when applying for a library card. Click here for more information or to download an application.
How do I get a PIN? Can a PIN be changed?
To receive a valid, four-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN), visit any B&ECPL facility. For security reasons, PINs may not be obtained by telephone or email. Valid identification is required. Your PIN may be changed by clicking on My Account in the upper right-hand corner of most Catalog pages and selecting the Change PIN Option. Enter your current PIN, your new PIN, confirm your new PIN and click on the Change PIN Option. You will receive a confirmation that the PIN has been changed.
Why are some titles bolded?
If the Library you selected when you began your catalog session owns copies of a particular title, that title will display in bold text and be preceded by 2 asterisks (**). This is referred to as "Highlighting." "Highlighting" remains in effect until a session ends. To select a different library to highlight, LOG OUT and begin a new session. Titles not owned by the selected library will also display but they will not appear in bold type with asterisks. To limit search results to items owned by one library, use the optional limiting by location feature.
How can I tell if a particular library owns a certain title?
There are many ways to tell if a Library owns a certain title.
· You can select that library's holdings to highlight upon entering the Catalog. Titles owned by the selected library will display in bold text and be preceded by two asterisks (**).
· You can limit results to that location by setting the Optional Search Limits.
· You can scan the table of holdings on the Holding Display.
How can I find out where a library is located?
A map shows the general location of all 52 libraries within the B&ECPL System. Hours, directions and other information about a specific library can be found by choosing its name from a list of Libraries of Buffalo & Erie County.
Why do some titles show no current location in the table of holdings on the Holdings Display?
· All copies may have been withdrawn from the collection.
· A copy of an older publication that has not been inventoried yet may be located in the closed stacks of the Central Library.
These titles cannot be requested online. Contact staff for assistance.
The Catalog shows that an item is on the shelf at my library. Why can't I find it?
Check with a staff member if you need help locating an item.
What can I do if an item I want is not owned by the
Material may be able to be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Contact staff for assistance.
What is a serial?
A serial is a title that can be published on a scheduled or irregular basis. This category includes general interest magazines, journals, newspapers and most titles that are published periodically. These are referred to as periodicals.
How do I find linking titles for serials?
Click Expand Record on the Holdings Display page of a serial title. More Detail can be found in the left-hand corner on the Holdings Display page. Linking titles (earlier titles and later titles) can be found near the bottom of the expanded record. Click the earlier or later title.
Are my sessions
in the Library Catalog and My Account private?
The
Why am I
unable to access the catalog at certain times?
The Library Catalog and My
Account feature are unavailable each evening during the nightly computer system
backup and occasionally, at other times, when computer system maintenance is
required.
Check the Catalog welcome page for the nightly backup schedule.
Why can't I access
Help, My Account or the request title screen?
The Help, My Account, and
Request Title pages open in new windows. If the Catalog is accessed through Web
TV, the new windows are unavailable. Also, some browsers may have set their
Internet Options to disable the pop-up feature (in order to avoid
advertisements). This feature would need to be turned off.
Why can't I
access a web link listed in the catalog from some workstations located in the
library?
Web links are not be accessible
at ‘Catalog Only' workstations within the Library because these terminals do
not allow Internet usage. You may sign up at any B&ECPL facility to use a
terminal with Internet access.
How can I
send comments and questions regarding the Catalog?
Send comments or questions to Library
staff members by clicking Catalog Feedback at the bottom of each Catalog page.
Icons are images that indicate
the type of material e.g. book, video, sound recording, etc.
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Books |
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Spoken recordings/ Audiobooks |
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Computer files |
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Musical Recordings |
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Videos/DVDs |
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Maps |
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Musical Scores |
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Serials |
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Manuscripts |
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Review |
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Summary |
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Publisher Marketing Description |
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Excerpt and Chapters |
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NOVELIST |
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Web Site Link |
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Author Biography |
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CLCD Review |
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Table of Contents |
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