How to Use the Catalog
How do I search the catalog?How do I check my account?
How do I look up new fiction books in the catalog?
How do I look up new DVDs in the catalog?
How to place a hold online?
How to place a hold for a specific volume of a DVD set?
How do I cancel a hold?
Can I suspend a hold while I am on vacation?
How do I suspend a hold?
How do I search the catalog?
- To search the catalog, enter a word or phrase (title, author or subject) in the white box
- To limit a search by author, title or subject, click on the pull down under “Search For”.
- If your search returns multiple items, you will see a “Search Results” screen. Click on the “Full Details” button for more information about a specific item.
- To find where an item is located, the call number and the item’s status will be at the bottom of the “Full Details” screen.
How do I check my account?
- Type your library card number and your birthdate into the login box at the top of the catalog screen.
- Click on “My Account” from any page to check your account. Remember to click “Logout” when you’re done.
How do I look up new fiction books in the catalog?
- Go to the Urbandale Library’s home page
- Click on "Catalog" in the top menu bar
- Click on “Advanced Search Options”
- Select “Urbandale” from the pull down menu next to “library”
- Select “Book” from the pull down menu next to “type”
- Select “Fiction Collection” from the pull down menu next to “location”
- Type “2007” in the “pubyear” field
- Select “New to Old” from the pull down menu next to “sort by”
- Then click on the blue “Search” button
- The result will be a list of newly acquired fiction books with a 2007 copyright date.
How do I look up new DVDs in the catalog?
- Click on "Catalog" in the top menu bar
- Click on “Advanced Search Options”
- Select “Urbandale” from the pull down menu next to “library”
- Select “DVD” from the pull down menu next to “type”
- Select “Videos and DVDs” from the pull down menu next to “location”
- Type “2007” in the “pubyear” field
- Select “New to Old” from the pull down menu next to “sort by”
- Then click on the blue “Search” button
- The result will be a list of newly acquired DVDs with a 2007 copyright date.
How to place a hold online?
- Click on "Catalog" in the menu bar
- Search the library online catalog for the item.
- Click on the “Details/Hold” button on the left side of the item record.
- Click on the “Place Hold” link on the left hand side of the screen.
- Enter your library card number and birth date and click on the “Place Hold” button.
- You will be notified via phone or e-mail when a hold is available. Holds will be kept for 3 days at the front circulation desk.
How to place a hold for a specific volume of a DVD set?
- Click on "Catalog" in the top menu bar
- Perform a title search for the title
- Select the appropriate season
- Click on "Details/Holds"
- Click on "Place Hold"
- Enter your library card number and birth date
- Click on "Volume(s) Selected From List Below"
- Click on the particular volume
- Click "Place Hold"
- Click "OK" on the confirmation screen
- Library staff will call or e-mail when the item is available
How do I cancel a hold?
- Click on "Library Catalog" in the top menu bar
- Click on "My Account" once in the library catalog
- Click on "Review My Account"
- Type in your library card number from the back of your library card
- Type in your birthdate in the MMDDYYYY format
- Click on "Display User Information"
- To cancel a hold click on the box next to the title you wish to cancel and then click on "Cancel Selected Holds"
Can I suspend a hold while I am on vacation?
You can suspend a hold on your account. While a hold is suspended, you will retain your place on the holds waiting list. You will move up the list during the suspension time period until you reach position 1. At that time you will remain in position 1 until the end date of the suspension. The next time the item is checked in it will be assigned to you. You will be notified via e-mail or phone when the item is available for you to pick up.
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How do I suspend a hold?
- Click on "Catalog" in the top menu bar
- Click on "My Account"
- Click on "Review My Account"
- Type in your library card number from the back of your library card
- Type in your birthdate in the MMDDYYYY format
- Click on "Display User Information"
- To suspend a hold click on the "edit hold" on the far right side of the title you wish to suspend. Enter the "Suspend Hold Start Date"
- Enter the "Suspend Hold End Date"
- Then click on "Edit Hold"