Virtual Catalog Help 

• Browser Problems
• Logging In
• Searching
• Requesting a Title
• Checkout Policies
• Reviewing Your Requests
• Logging Out

Browser Problems

The newest version of Internet Explorer, IE version 7, does not work well with the virtual catalog. As you keep clicking button options, the yellow navigation bar on the left keeps replicating, eventually moving the active frame over to the right and leaving the user with many navigation bars.

Technicians are attempting to identify whether the problem lies with Internet Explorer or whether the virtual catalog interface needs to be fixed. For the moment, if possible, please continue to use Internet Explorer 6, or switch to an alternate browser, such as Mozilla Firefox or Netscape.

If you are using Internet Explorer and a Norton Security or firewall product, and you get an "Internal Server Error" message when you attempt to log in, please see our help file for Norton users

Logging In

You can log in to the Virtual Catalog with a valid library card from a Massachusetts library network (such as the Minuteman Library Network, C/W MARS network or CLAMS), from one of the participating University of Massachusetts libraries, or as "guest". If you log in as a guest, you will not be able to request materials directly. However, you can always contact your home library and ask them to request the title for you through interlibrary loan.

If you have overdue fines or other notices on your local library record, your login may not be accepted. Please contact your home library if you are having difficulty logging in.

A quick tutorial with screenshots on using the Virtual Catalog is also available from the O'Leary Library at the University of Massachusetts Lowell .

Searching

1. From the Patron Main Menu, select Searching/Requesting.
2. Enter keywords from the author or title in the box next to Term: Depending on how you logged in, you may also be able to enter subject words. Please note that due to the nature of multi-catalog searches, searching by subject may be better done through your local catalog. For instance, a search for a popular subject such as automobiles or cars would result in too many virtual catalog hits to be useful.
3. If you know the exact title, you will get better results.
   Author searches should be entered in the format last name, first name (e.g., Machen, Arthur) for best results.
4. The catalog assumes you want to search by title. Select author or ISBN (International Standard Book Number), or subject --if available-- to alter your search type.
5. Select Begin Searching. You may have to wait up to 15 seconds as the Virtual Catalog searches and compiles responses from the many participating library catalogs.

At the top of the next screen Combined Results you will see a summary listing of the numbers of titles that match your search criteria in each of the participating library systems. A message of "Connection refused" simply means that that individual catalog could not be contacted due to a technical difficulty.

Scroll down until you see the listing of actual titles. You may sort the list by author, title or publication year by clicking on the column header. If your search returned a large number of titles, you may click the Next Page button at the bottom of the screen.

If you have entered the virtual catalog as a guest from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Web site, the virtual catalog will show you a column called "Sites" on the righthand side. When you see a number, it means that the title is owned by more than one library system. You may also see the name of a specific library or library network. Click on the title to see more information or a more specific location.

When a title is found in only one library catalog, you will see the Availability screen, which will list each copy or volume found in that catalog, with location(s), call number(s) and availability status. When a title is found in more that one library catalog, you will see the Details screen. To check availability, select a catalog by clicking on the down arrow for the list of owning catalogs, select a catalog, and then click "Show Availability".

Requesting a Title

If you are logged in with you library card, you will see a "Request" button next to the listing of titles and at the bottom of the Availability or Details screen.

1. Fill in the Create Request form as directed.
   1. Confirm your name and select/confirm your preferred pickup location.
   2. If you need the item sooner than the default of one month, adjust the "Need By" date. If no library is able to ship the item by your Need By date, your request will automatically expire and you will be notified by e-mail.
   3. Please do not add comments in the "Notes for Librarians to Review" box unless the note is needed to clarify a request. Use the notes box to indicate that you need a certain volume from a set.
   4. Place a separate request for each volume needed from a set.
   5. If you have an e-mail address in your home library system record, it will appear near the bottom of the Create Request screen. You can edit this if it is incorrect. (This correction will not be replicated in your home library system. You must notify your home library or edit your account in your home library system to make the e-mail change permanent.) You can also type in an e-mail address if none is present. This e-mail address will only be used for this Virtual Catalog request.
2. Click "Submit Request".
3. The Request Confirmed screen will display the title information and a Request Number. Use this number when reporting problems.

   You will be notified when your request is ready for pickup at the library you selected.

Sometimes the Virtual Catalog does not allow you to request a title. This can be for a couple of different reasons:

• You may see the message "The item you have requested already exists in your local library, " This means that the title is owned by and/or checked in on your local system. For instance, if you are a Minuteman Library Network card holder, and you request a title on the Virtual Catalog that is owned and available through the Minuteman network, you will be directed to place a reserve on the Minuteman system, and not through the Virtual Catalog.
• All copies of that particular title are either not available (not on the shelf) or they are reference books and do not leave the library.

Materials that are not available through the Virtual Catalog may be available from other libraries. Ask your local librarian about placing an interlibrary loan request.

Checkout Policies

Generally, materials can be checked out for 28 days. Renewals are not allowed at this time.

Books and other items should be returned at the library where they were picked up.

Reviewing Your Request(s)

1. From the Patron Main Menu, select "Review Your Requests". The Patron Inquiry screen will display a summary of all your outstanding requests. It will not display any request history for requests that have been completed (borrowed and returned), cancelled, or that have expired or become unfillable.
2. To see request details, click on the title. Status and Due Date are toward the bottom of the Request Details screen.
3. You can cancel any request that has not yet been shipped by a lender.

Logging Out

Make sure to click Quit to ensure your privacy and security.