• Capitalization. You can use either uppercase or lowercase letters. (For example, you can enter "New York" or "new york".)
• Names of people. You must enter the last name first (for example, "twain mark").
• Hyphenation. You can use hyphens or spaces between words in your search term. (For example, you can enter "trade-in" or "trade in".)
• Punctuation. You can omit punctuation in your search term. (For example, you can enter "biology a study in modern science" instead of "biology: a study in modern science".)
• Articles. You can omit initial articles (such as "a" or "the") from your search term. (For example, you can enter "silver king" to find "The Silver King".)

NOTE: Your library decides which searches appear.

Here is how to do a basic search. (This is an example of a Subject Words search.)

To do a basic search

1. Do one of these options to select multiple items:
   • If the items are next to each other, click the first item, then hold down SHIFT and click the next item.
   • If the items are not next to each other, hold down CTRL and click once on each item.
   • To deselect an item, hold down CTRL and click the item.
   • When the items you want are highlighted, click Show Details or press ENTER.

If you selected items from a Browse List view, the system displays a Summary List view.

If you selected items from a Summary List view, the system displays the Bib Display view for the first title. You can see the records one at a time using the Next and Previous buttons.

1. Click Library Catalog on the Launcher bar.
2. Click Previous Search on the Launcher bar. The system displays the Previous Search view.
3. Choose the search you want from the first drop-down list.
4. Choose the words you want to search for from the second drop-down list.
5. Click the Search button or press ENTER to start your search and see your search results.

(For help on moving through your search results, see the different search results in Seeing Search Results.)

• You can use those limits that are already defined by your library.

NOTE: Your library determines the default search limits you can choose from. (For example, your library can create a default limit for videocassettes or books in Spanish.)

• You can define your own search limits.

Limiting Your Search with Predefined Limits

1. Access a summary list. (For instructions on basic searching, see Doing a Basic Search.)
2. Click the Search Settings button.
3. Click the Limits button. The system displays the Limits view.
4. In the scroll box under You can also choose one or more of these limits, choose one or more options from the list box to limit your search by.
5. Click OK.

When the search is complete, the summary shows the items that match your limit. If your search has more than the maximum number of titles allowed for limiting, the screen displays a message. You must click the New Search button to start another search.

Limiting Your Search with Your Own Limits

1. Access a summary list. (For instructions on basic searching, see Doing a Basic Search.)
2. Click the Search Settings button.
3. Click the Limits button. The system displays the Limits view.
4. Under Fields, choose the field (or index) you want to limit by (for example, "AUTHOR").
5. Under Operators, choose the operator you want to use to limit your search by (for example, "equals").
6. Under Limit Text, enter the terms you want to use to limit your search by (for example, "shakespeare william"). In the examples in steps 4-6, the limit string would be "AUTHOR equals shakespeare william." This means you want to limit the search to titles written only by William Shakespeare.
7. Click OK.

When the search is complete, the summary shows the items that match your limit. If your search has more than the maximum number of titles allowed for limiting, the screen displays a message. You must click the New Search button to start another search.

1. Access a summary list. (For instructions on basic searching, see Doing a Basic Search.)
2. Do one of these options:
   • If you want to sort the list of titles by just one search type (for example, sort everything alphabetically by author), then click the column heading you want (for example, click the "Author" column heading). Skip the rest of this task.
   • If you want to sort the list of titles by one search type and then another (for example, sort by author, then publication date), click the Search Settings button. Continue with the next step.
3. Click the Sorts button. The system displays a list of sort options.
4. Do one of these options:
   • Choose your own sort options by clicking the type of information you want to display first and then clicking the type of information you want to display second.
   • Choose a sort option from the list box of predefined sorts.
5. Click OK.

When the sort is complete, the items reappear in the order you choose on the summary list.

Sorting many items may take a long time. If your search has more than the maximum titles allowed for sorting, the screen displays a message. You must click the New Search button to start another search, or choose a predefined limit to narrow your search.

To search other locations

1. Access a summary list. (For instructions on basic searching, see Doing a Basic Search.)
2. Click the Search Settings button.
3. Click the Locations button. The system prompts you to choose a location.
4. Choose the Other Locations option.
5. Click OK.

The system searches the other locations. If any of the other library locations own the item you are searching for, the system displays the items.

NOTE: Your library decides which agencies are included in "This Location" and "Other Locations."

1. Click Library Catalog on the Launcher bar.
2. Click New Search or Advanced Search on the Launcher bar.
3. Click the Other Library Systems button. The system displays a list of libraries.
4. Choose the libraries you want to search.
5. Click OK. The system displays the New Search view or Advanced Search view again.
6. Enter the words you want to search for.
7. Click the Search button, or press ENTER to start your search and see your search results. The system displays your search results.
8. Choose the library whose titles you want to look at.
9. Click the Show Details button.

(For help on moving through your search results, see the different search results in Seeing Search Results.)

1. Access a summary list. (For instructions on basic searching, see Doing a Basic Search.)
2. Highlight the title you want.
3. Click the Place Hold button. The system displays a view that explains how to place a hold.
4. Enter the barcode from your library card.
5. Enter your PIN or phone number (if required).
6. Click Submit Barcode. The system displays your patron information.
7. If the displayed patron information is NOT correct, click the corresponding button. (The next time you check out items, you will be asked to update your patron information.)
8. Click Continue.The system displays information about the item you are placing a hold on.
9. Choose how you want to be contacted when the item becomes available. (This field may not be available.)
10. Choose where you want to pick up the item when the item becomes available. (This field may not be available.)
11. Click Finish.

The system displays a message that tells you if your request is successful or not. If the request is not successful, there may be too many requests for the item. You can now view all holds you have placed in Viewing Your Holds.

To place an interlibrary loan request

1. Access a summary list. (For instructions on basic searching, see Doing a Basic Search.)
2. Highlight the title you want.
3. Click the ILL Request button.
4. Enter the barcode from your library card.
5. Enter your PIN or phone number (if required).
6. Click Submit. The system displays page 1 of the request form.
7. Check your name, address, e-mail, and phone number to make sure the information is correct. NOTE: If your personal information is not correct, tell a library staff member so he or she can update your file.
8. Choose how you want to be notified that the book is available for pickup in the Notify by field. (For example, choose "e-mail.")
9. If you need the item before a particular date, enter the date you need it before in the 'Need before' date field. (For example, enter "10/24/99.")
10. Choose where you want to pick up the item in the Pickup Location field.
11. Enter any comments or notes you may have about the item in the Source of your information or Comments field.
12. Choose whether your request is for the loan of an item or for a photocopy of a journal article.
13. Click Next.
14. Enter any other detailed information about the book or journal article, if you want.
15. Click Next to enter more information about the book or journal article; otherwise, go to step 16.
16. Click Finish when you are finished with your interlibrary loan request.

The system sends the request on to the participating library. Also, you may be able to look in your Patron Profile to see holds you have placed (explained in Viewing Your Interlibrary Loan Requests).

To view multimedia files from a bib display

1. Access a bib display with a hyperlink. (For instructions on basic searching, see Doing a Basic Search.)
2. Click the hyperlink. The system displays the multimedia item or web page on a new page in the same browser window or in a new browser window.
3. Do one of these options when you are finished viewing the multimedia item or web page:
   • If the system displayed the information on a new web page in the same browser window, click Back on the browser window to return to WebPAC. The system displays the bib display.
   • If the system displayed the information in a new browser window, close the browser window to return to WebPAC.

• Creating a temporary book list to print
• Saving a book list
• Saving a book list to a floppy disk
• Viewing a book list
• Adding titles to a book list
• Deleting titles from a book list
• Merging book lists
• Deleting a book list

Creating a Temporary Book List to Print

During a search, you may find several titles you are interested in. You can create a temporary book list of these titles and print out information about them (like the author and call number). This temporary list stays on the system until you save the list to a floppy disk or until the session is reset. (WebPAC automatically resets a session after a certain period of time that WebPAC is not being used. Your library specifies the amount of tie that passes before WebPAC resets the session.)

Saving a Book List

You can create a list of some of the titles you find during a search and save them in a book list. (For example, you can keep a list of titles you need for a research paper.)

NOTE: Your library determines if you can save book lists, and determines the number of days book lists are kept on the system.

Saving a Book List to a Floppy Disk

You can create a list of some of the titles you find during a search and save them in a book list. If you want, you can then save the book list to a disk. (For example, you can create a list of titles you need for a research paper and save the list to a floppy disk.)

NOTE: Your library determines whether you can save book lists to floppy disks.

To save a book list to a floppy disk

Viewing a Book List

If you have created and saved a book list, you can view the titles the list. A saved book list also shows information about each title on the list (like author and call number). You can also see the book list's deletion date.

 NOTE: Your library determines the number of days book lists are kept on the system.

Adding Titles to a Book List

When necessary, you can add more titles to a saved book list.

Deleting Titles from a Book List

If you are no longer interested in certain titles, you can delete them from a book list.

Merging Book Lists

You can merge the titles from two or more saved book lists into one book list. (For example, if one of your book list is going to be deleted by the system, you can move the titles from that list to another saved book list.) When you merge book lists, the titles are moved from the first list to another list you choose and then the first list is deleted.

To merge book lists

Deleting a Book List

Book lists are automatically deleted from the system after a certain number of days (as determined by your library). If you decide you do not want a book list any longer, you can delete the book list manually.

To delete a book list

Accessing Patron Information

To see information on items you have checked out, fines you owe, or holds you have placed, you must first access the Patron Information view:

Requesting a Change in Your Patron Information

If you move or change your phone number, you should let the library know so they can keep their information current. You can use WebPAC to request a change in your patron information. The next time you check out items, the system displays your patron record, alerting the staff to update the library's information.

Changing Your Personal Identification Number (PIN)

Your library may require you to use a personal identification number (PIN) to access your patron information or book lists. You may want to change your PIN regularly so it remains secure.

Viewing Your Checked Out Items

You can look at a list of the items you currently have checked out. You can see the names of the items, how many items you have out, and when the items are due. (You may also be able to renew a checked out item, depending on your library policy.)

Viewing Your Blocks

You may want to check regularly to see if you have any overdue books or owe any fines. If you have received a fine (for example, because you turned in a book late), you can see how much money you owe for the fine.

Viewing Your Holds

You can view information about the holds you have placed (for example, a hold's expiration date or pickup location).

Asking Library Staff a Question

If your library has Community Resources, you can use WebPAC to ask library staff a question and get a personal response. The questions can be general reference questions or questions concerning library policy. (For example, you might want to ask if the library has any materials for visually impaired people.) After a library staff member answers the question, you can access the answer, explained in Viewing the Answer to a Question.

Viewing the Answer to a Question

If your library has Community Resources, you can use WebPAC to ask library staff a question and get a personal response. If you have requested a personal response to your question, you can view the answer to the question in Patron Information. (Asking library staff a question is explained in Asking Library Staff a Question.)

Viewing Your Book Lists

You can keep track of titles you have found during a search and save them in a book list. When necessary, you can view the book lists you have saved. (For example, you can see when a book list will be deleted, or view the titles in the book list.) (For more information on book lists, see Book Lists.)

 NOTE: Book lists can also be viewed during a search from a summary list or bib display.

Viewing Your Interlibrary Loan Requests

Your library may let you place interlibrary loan requests. (An interlibrary loan is a request for materials, like books, video tapes, or copies of reference materials, by one library to be loaned to another library.) If your library allows interlibrary loan requests, your library may also let you see interlibrary loan requests you have placed in your patron information.

To access a best seller list

Searching in Community Resources

You can search most Community Resources options the same as you would search for a title in the library catalog. You can search for newspaper articles, fugitive facts (various facts your library decides to publish online), or clubs and organizations.

Searching the Events Calendar

You can search the events calendar to find out about upcoming local events.

Asking Library Staff a Question

You can ask library staff general reference questions or questions concerning library policy. (For example, you might want to ask what hours the library is open on weekends.) You can then view the answers to your questions (as explained in Viewing the Answer to a Question).

Viewing the Answer to a Question

You can look at questions you and others have asked your library staff. You can then view the answers library staff have given. (Asking a question is explained in Asking Library Staff a Question.)

1. Click Q & A on the Launcher bar. The system displays the Question and Answers view.
2. Choose the subject for which questions you want to read from the Subjects drop-down list. The system displays a summary list of questions.
3. Choose the question that you want to view the answer for. The system displays a question and its answer.