| Searching and Placing Holds |
Searching
Search Results
Placing Holds
Why do my search terms appear in the search boxes when I go back to do a new search?
This is a known problem, and we are working on a fix. Clicking on the search type (such as Basic Search) in the left hand navigation panel will clear the search boxes.
Why can't I limit and sort some types of search results (e.g., results from an exact search, Find it Fast searches, Our Newest Titles lists)?
This is a limitation of this particular catalogue product. We are working on implementing a new search tool that will offer this functionality.
How do I search for ... ?
See the Help section for instructions on how to search for specific types of materials.
Why isn’t there a place to search by ISBN?
You don’t need to enter a book’s ISBN in a special place. Just put the ISBN in the keyword search box on the Basic Search screen.
Where are the links to "More by this author"/"More on this topic"?
When you click on Full Details to display the complete information for an item, the author and subject headings you see here are links that you can click to find more matching titles.
(Note: if the result of clicking one of these links is just the same item record you were already looking at, that means there are no other titles matching the author or subject.)
I've noticed that different types of searches bring up different styles of results lists. Why is that?
There are two types of results lists: those for keyword searches, and those for 'browse' searches.
- 'Browse' searches give an alphabetical list of matches for items closest to the search terms entered. Examples of this include title and author 'starts with' searches. You can move up and down the list using the 'previous' and 'next' links on the left side of the page.
- Keyword searches display brief records for each item containing the keyword you searched. You can navigate through pages of hits using the page numbers at the top and bottom of the results.
With keyword searches, you can also refine your search and change the order of results by clicking on the 'Limit Search' button just above the first result.
How do I save records to a list or email records to myself?
The current version of the catalogue does not have a built-in way to save lists of items, but you can easily bookmark or email links to specific items or search results using the Link to This Page button located at the top right of each page. Add the links to your browser’s bookmarks/favorites or to an online bookmarking service like Delicious.
I have to type my barcode number and PIN every time I place a hold. This is frustrating.
If you use the Sign In link near the top-right of your screen at the beginning of your session, you will not be asked to sign in every time you place a hold.
We agree that it would be better if you could sign in at the point when you're placing a hold, and this is something we'll work to improve in future.
I have to select my home branch as the pickup location every time I place a hold. Why can't the catalogue remember my branch?
If you use the Sign In link near the top right of your screen before beginning to search and place holds, your home branch will automatically be selected as the pickup location for any holds you place.
Why are there Place Hold buttons beside reference items? I get frustrated because I enter my information and then am told that a hold cannot be placed.
We are aware of this problem and are working to resolve it in a future version of the catalogue.
Why can't I place certain DVDs on hold?
There is a new policy about new release Adult & Children's English-language Feature DVDs. No holds can be placed on these DVDs for the first 6 months after the library acquires them.
This change makes these popular titles more available by eliminating time lost in transporting them to other branches.
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Updated on: December 19, 2008
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