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Introducing the Online Catalog

Your library determines the first page you see when you connect to the library Web site. For many libraries, you select a link on the library home page to use the online catalog. The library determines the appearance and location of these links. Some libraries use the library catalog portal page as the home page. The portal page offers links to library information, the online catalog, and other features. The portal page may also include current news, weather, new title lists, and other information. The portal page is the starting point for the procedures in this guide, but most features work the same way regardless of what home page the library uses.

Page Features

The main pages, including the portal page, are arranged in three sections: the banner at the top, the center area, and the dashboard at the side of the page.

The main menu options, Library Info, Search, Patron Account, and Help, are in the banner area.

When you select a main menu option, choices related to your selection appear below the banner. For example, when you select Search on the menu bar, search choices are displayed below the banner.

The center area of the window also changes. For example, the center pane of the portal page may offer current news and weather. Click any link to display more information in a new window. Your library may also display a picture of a book in the center area (you may have to scroll the page down past any weather information to see the picture). The pictured book is drawn from best-seller lists. You can click the image to search for the book in the library catalog. See "Search from a book jacket image".

Dashboard

Dashboard parts appear at the side of each page. They may contain lists such as new arrivals and items of seasonal interest. List items are often links. For example, you can click a title on a new titles list to launch a search for the title. You can open or close the dashboard parts by clicking the arrow next to the list title. For more information about RSS and the New Titles dashboard part, see "RSS Feeds for New Titles". For more information about the Make a Donation dashboard part, see "Making a Donation to the Library".

Start using the online catalog

Follow these steps to start using online library services.

  1. If you are accessing the library from a remote location, type the library's Web address (URL) in the Web browser Address box, and click Go to display the library's home page.
  2. To select a language other than English, if your library offers a choice, click a language link in the Language dashboard part.

    The pages are displayed in the language you selected. You can select a different language at any time during your session, without losing your place.

  3. To switch to a large print version, click Large Text above the dashboard area.
  4. To change the library to which you are currently connected, click the arrow symbol by the Switch to another branch list, and select another library from the list.

    When you switch to another branch, the page appearance and available features may change. If you switch to another branch while you are using the catalog, the main page is displayed.

  5. Select a menu option or a link to start using online library services.
  6. To return to the home page, click Library Info or the library's logo image in the banner area of the page.
Related Information

Quit using the online catalog

If you are working in the library, this procedure protects your privacy. Follow these steps to quit using online library services.

  1. If you are viewing search results, save any information you need (see "Working with Search Results").
  2. If you see your name and the Log Out option at the top of the page, click Log Out. Otherwise, click Library Info or the library's logo image to return to the library home page.
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