Farmington Libraries

Using the Catalog

The library catalog offers many features to help you search for items, manage your library account, and request items. Not only this, but you can now create and store personalized reading lists, check your own reading history, and offer purchase suggestions straight from your account.   For more information on how to use these features you can browse the following.   Feel free to contact the information desk at 860-673-6791 if you have any other questions not answered here.

Basic Search  -  Advanced Search  -  How to Read Search Results  -  Placing a Hold -
Not Wanted Before Dates -  Your Account  -  My Privacy  -  Reading History  - 
Creating Lists  -  My Purchase Suggestions  -  My Messaging

Basic Search

To do a quick search of the library's catalog, select criteria to search by, type in your search words, and click go. 

If you do not select a specific search criteria, the default search will be by keyword.  Your results will include all items in the library's collection that have your search terms mentioned in their record. 
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Advanced Search

With advanced searching you have the option of selecting criteria to search by and the option of limiting your search to specific item types such as DVD, CD, etc.
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How to Read Your Search Results
Once you click on the title of the item you want, you are taken to the item location screen.  It tells you:

1. bibliographic information (title, author, etc)
2. actions you may take (place hold, add to list, add to cart, like on Facebook or Tweet)
3. title notes that describe the book
4. other editions of the same title
5. reviews of title from Amazon.com
6. Item location (where the item is in the libary)

Scrolling down to the bottom of the page shows you where the item is located in the library.
There are a few important areas to look at when trying to determine where your item is located.

1. check to see if there is any specific location noted in the location field.
2. see what part of the collection the item is from. 
3. note the call number of the item listed in front of the "browse shelf" hyperlink
4. note the status. 

While the library may own the item, it may not be "available" or on the shelf for you to checkout. If this is the case, then you may try to request it using your library card number and PIN.

The "Browse Shelf" feature is new to the library catalog.  By clicking on the browse shelf link next to an items call number, you will be able to  quickly see what other items are located next to the item you are looking for.  This can come in handy if you are interested in a specific topic or an author and would like to see what else the library might own quickly. 

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How to Place a Hold

Requesting an item is easy.  Search the catalog for the item you want.  Once you are on the page that gives you the items location and call number (see above) you will have the option to request the item by clicking the "Place Hold" link located on the right side of the screen.  

If you aren't already logged into your library account, you will be taken to the log in screen.  If you are logged in you will be taken to a screen where you will need to confirm your request.  

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Your Account
You can log into your library account by typing in your library card number and PIN at the far right of the library catalog home page.


You can also log into your account by clicking on the "my account/renew" tab on the library home page. You will be taken to a log in page and asked for your library card number and PIN.

Once you are logged into your account you can view specific information related to your account by clicking on the tabs located on the left hand of the screen as well as in the middle of the screen. Back to Top



View Holds Status
 
To view your active requests click on the "holds" tab. You can see when a request was placed, the status of your hold request, and opt to cancel the request.  You can also begin searching the catalog from here and request items more easily by not having to log in again.

 

Note: at this time, "not wanted before" dates on requested items can only be placed at the time of request. If you are going to be absent unexpectedly and feel you will miss picking up an already requested item, please contact the adult information desk for assistance. Back to Top

Reading History

One of the newest features to the catalog is the ability to browse your search history. Searches will be held until you choose to delete them. They will only be saved if you have logged into your account before searching the catalog.

Creating Lists

Being able to create lists of items you may want to borrow in the future, or remember to go back to and look at is a new feature that was not available in the old catalog. Begin by logging into your account and clicking on the "my lists" tab Click on "new list" to give your new list a title Once you name your list click save and you can begin to add titles to it.
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Adding titles to your newly created list is done while searching the catalog. Click on the box next to the item you want added to your list. Then click on the "add to" drop down menu. Select the list you want the item added to. When you go back into your library account you will be able to view all of the items you have added to your list. Back to Top

My Purchase Suggestions

Clicking on the "my purchase suggestions" tab when logged into your account takes you to a page where you can make suggestions and view the status of suggestions you have already made. We always welcome your suggestions for titles that you would like to find at the Farmington Libraries. Our librarians will carefully consider each suggestion in accordance with our library Materials Selection Policy. With the use of the "my purchase suggestions" through your online account, it is easier to keep informed of your purchase suggestions and their status.
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My Messaging

You have the ability to customize the way you receive notifications from the library. Through your library account you can: set the number of days you want to be notified in advance of due dates, choose which notices you do and do not want to receive, and choose whether to receive notices all together in a "daily digest" or to receive them as they are generated. All patrons are defaulted to receive holds filled and advance notice 2 days ahead.
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