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Image of Wilmette Public Library, displaying Fall/Winter/Spring hours of operation: Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
March 15, 2010
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Link to remote printing

Link to One Book, Everybody Reads pages

Link to Megasearch web page

Tips for Searching the Catalog

How to Do a Basic Search

  1. Your search should begin in the opening screen of the catalog where you will find a search box. If the computer has been left in the middle of another search, click on the phrase "New Search" on the blue bar at the top or bottom of the screen to begin again. If there is a message that "the session has timed out" click on the "OK" button to get to the opening screen.

  2. In the search box enter words from either the author's name, title or subject of the item you are seeking in the white space next to the words "words or phrase". Capitalization does not matter.

    Note: Catalogs in the library should automatically search only the material owned by this library. You may change the library by selecting from the list that appears when you click the arrow next to the Library box. Select ALL to search all libraries at once.

    Advanced Tip: If you want to combine words from the author, title and/or subject you must put the word "and" between your terms. Example one: rowling and harry potter will bring up all the Harry Potter books. Example two: woodward and brethren will bring up the book titled The Brethren by Bob Woodward but not the one by John Grisham.

  3. Click on the Search button or press the Enter key.

  4. If more than one item matches your search words a list of the matching items will appear on the screen. Click on the word "Full Details" in the left column to see whether or not a book is on the shelf and where it is located (call number).

  5. You may change the libraries you are searching by clicking on the "Limit Search" button at the top of the page or by redoing your search.

  6. Click on the phrase "Click here to see call numbers and locations" underneath the title and author information in the box at the top of the screen or use the scroll bar or arrow keys to get to the bottom of the screen where the location information can be found.

  7. To return to the previous screen, click on the "Go Back" button on the blue bar.

  8. When you are finished, click "New Search" to find another item or "Exit" to end the session.
Additional Tips and Information

  1. To limit your search to one specific field such as "Author" or "Series" select from the drop down menu on the basic search screen by clicking on the arrow next to the phrase "words or phrase" .

  2. Use the Power Search option to search more than one field at once or to place special restrictions on your results (such as limiting by date or language).

  3. A quick way to limit the format of your results is to use the " words or phrase " option in the basic search adding:
    and videorecording for all video formats (or you may specify VHS or DVD)
    and sound recording for all recorded formats (or you may specify record, cassette, or CD)
    and CD-ROM for cd-rom computer software

  4. Use the Best Sellers and Recommended Reading lists on the opening screen to conduct an automatic search on which items on the list are owned by the library. Click on the word More... at the bottom of the box to see additional lists. Please note that these searches may take a minute or two to complete.

  5. To browse new items, select "Browse new library materials" from the wide blue bar.
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