Monroe County (NY) Library System

Searching the Library Catalog with LIBRAWeb: A Tutorial

Use this tutorial to learn how to search the library catalog, LIBRAWeb. If you prefer classroom training, check with your local library (see Member Library Directory). Many libraries offer training classes on how to search LIBRAWeb.

This tutorial covers the following topics:

	What is LIBRAWeb
	How to access LIBRAWeb from your computer
	How to search using keywords
	How to search for a title
	How to search for an author
	How to search for a subject heading
	How to limit your search to a library, material type or language
	How to place or cancel a hold
	Tips for better searches
	How to find out what titles you have checked out, on hold, overdue

WHAT IS LIBRAWeb

LIBRAWeb stands for Library Information Bridge for the Rochester Area Web. It gives you access to the Monroe County Library System's online library catalog. The catalog includes books, large print books, books on cassette and CD, videos, DVDs, and sound recordings (LP records, cassettes and CDs), owned by all 34 library units. You can tell which libraries own what titles and whether specific titles are available to be checked out. You also can use LIBRAWeb to see which items you have checked out, placed on hold, or are overdue as well as any outstanding fines.

HOW TO ACCESS LIBRAWeb FROM YOUR COMPUTER

On the Internet, type in the website address for the Monroe County Library System: www.libraryweb.org. Click on the link for Public Library Catalog, then click on LIBRAWeb Library Catalog. Note that the catalog also is available in Spanish.

HOW TO SEARCH USING KEYWORDS

Search by keywords when you are looking for information on a certain topic. You also may use this search to look for titles and authors. The result of this search will be a list of titles that contain your keywords from anywhere in the bibliographic record. Included in this bibliographic record are the author's name, the title, a summary, and subject headings. A keyword search is the most comprehensive search and can take longer than other types of searches.

The first page you see in LIBRAWeb is the Basic Search page. There are three parts of the page you will use: 1) the search box, 2) the search type menu and 3) the search button. To see an illustration of the Basic Search page with these sections labeled (close the pop-up window when done), click here.

In the search box you will type in one or more words that either describe a topic you are interested in or part of a title or author's name. The words may be in any order.

To practice a keyword search to find information on the Erie Canal, click here.

In the above search, you saw a page listing titles that were about the Erie Canal. This was the Title List page. Listed with each title was the author, material type, and publication date. The title was a book if no material type was listed. Other material types, i.e. large print, DVD, VHS, child, etc. were labeled. To see an illustration of the Title List page for a keyword search for "civil war" (close the pop-up window when done), click here.

You also saw the Full Record page when you clicked on a title. This page displayed detailed information about the title (author, publication date, subject headings, etc.). The page also displayed what libraries own the title and whether it is available to be checked out. (Note: Always call a library first to double check that a title actually is on the shelf before making a trip to the library.) To see an illustration of a full record page for a book about the civil war, click here.

At any time during your search you can change the words in your search or click New Search to go back to the Basic Search page. These options are found at the bottom of most pages. To see an illustration of these options, click here.

HOW TO SEARCH FOR A TITLE

Use this search when you know the first word or more of the title. Note: More detailed information on searching is given in the above section, "How to search using keywords."

In the search box type as many of the first words of the title you know, ignoring leading articles "a", "an" and "the". Ignore punctuation except apostrophes and exclamation points. From the "Select a search type -- (optional)" drop down menu, select Title Browse. Click the search button. The Title List page will be displayed. Titles are listed alphabetically starting with the words for which you searched. Select the title you want.

To practice searching for the title, A beautiful mind, click here.

If you know some of the words from the title, but not necessarily the first words, then select "Title Word Search" from the "Select a search type" drop down menu. Try this.

HOW TO SEARCH FOR AN AUTHOR

Use this search when you know the author's first and last name. Note: More detailed information on searching is given in the above section, "How to search using keywords."

In the search box type the author's last name, a comma, and a first name (example: Clark, Mary Higgins). From the "Select a search type -- (optional)" drop down menu, select Author or Name Browse. Note: There is another selection for Author or Name without Browse. You want the Browse. Click the search button.

The search will drop you into an alphabetical listing of authors. If the author you want is listed more than once, click on the name with the most records attached to it. If you find this is not the correct author, use your browser's Back button to go back to the Search Results page and make another selection.

To practice searching for the author John Grisham, click here.

If you are not sure of the author's full name then select "Author or name" (without Browse) from the "Select a search type" drop down menu. Try this.

HOW TO SEARCH FOR A SUBJECT HEADING

Every title has one to three subject headings assigned to it. Subject headings group titles together by topic. This search lists subject headings that include the word or words for which you searched. Each heading will tell you how many titles are listed under that subject heading. Click on the subject heading to display the titles. Note: More detailed information on searching is given in the above section, "How to search using keywords."

Type in the word or words you want to search in the search box. Select Subjects from the "Select a search type -- (optional)" drop down menu. You will see a list of subject headings that contain these words. If you want to see only subject headings that start with these words then select Subject Browse from the "Select a search type -- (optional)" drop down menu.

To practice searching for subject headings about modern dance, click here.

HOW TO LIMIT YOUR SEARCH TO A LIBRARY, MATERIAL TYPE OR LANGUAGE

Search for titles in a specific library

1.	Type in your search words and select a search type (see above).
2.	Click on the "Limit by branch and availability" button. (Where is this?)
3.	Select the library you want to limit your search to.
4.	Click on the Search button (at the top or the bottom of the page).

Search for titles in a certain material type

You can limit your search by material type, that is large print, child, DVD, VHS, etc. This limit is only available with keyword and author or name searches.

1.	Type in your search words and select either Keyword or Author or name for a search type.
2.	Click on the "Limit by material type" drop down menu. (Where is this?)
3.	Click on the type of material you want to search.
4.	Click on the Search button.

Search for titles in a certain language

You can limit your search by language. This limit is only available with keyword and author or name searches.

1.	Type in your search words and select either Keyword or Author or name for a search type.
2.	Click on the "Limit by language" drop down menu. (Where is this?)
3.	Click on the language you want to search.
4.	Click on the Search button.

You can search with more than one limit at a time. To practice searching for all Dr. Seuss videos owned by the Lincoln Library Branch, click here.

HOW TO PLACE OR CANCEL A HOLD

When all copies of a title are checked out at your library, you can place a hold on the title (also known as placing a reserve). You will be notified when the title becomes available and it will be held for you at the library you select. A 50 cent fee is charged for this service. Payment is due when you pick up the title. If you neglect to do so, this fee will be added to your account.

It is important to know the following rules that LIBRAWeb uses when placing a hold:
		A hold will not be placed if the title you want is on the shelf at the library you selected for a pick up location.
		A title listed as New or Video is only used for a hold request if the pickup location matches the library that owns the title. Note: You can see if a title is listed as New or Video on the full record page. Look for the Location column. (Where is this?).
		Reference titles do not circulate and can not be used for a hold request. Look for titles listed as Ref in the Location column on the full records page or a r in front of the call number.

To place a hold:

1.	You must be on the full record page. This is the page that gives the full information for the title, including which libraries own the title.
2.	Click the Place Hold(s) button which is found at the top of the page, in the gold column. (Where is this?)
3.	A new page will appear. Type in the number from your library card (it will start with 29077) and your last name. Click Enter.
4.	Select the library (scroll down the page to see all libraries) where you want to pick up the title by clicking on the dot to the left of the library name.
5.	Scroll down the page. Keep or change the date when you no longer need the item.
6.	Click the Place Hold button.

To remove a hold:

Note: A hold can not be canceled online if the title is in transit or on the library's hold shelf. To cancel the hold call the library directly.

1.	At the Monroe County Library System's home page (www.libraryweb.org) click on Patron Information.
2.	Type in the number from your library card (it will start with 29077) and your last name.
3.	Click Enter.
4.	Click the underlined word Holds.
5.	Click on the title.
6.	Click "Cancel this hold" in the gold column.
7.	When done, click on Exit found in the upper right corner of the page.

TIPS FOR BETTER SEARCHES

	Searches are not case sensitive.
	LIBRAWeb defaults to a keyword search if you do not select a search type.
	Search using both names and keywords by selecting Name/Keyword from the "Select a search type - (optional)" drop down menu. In the search box type the name first, followed by a slash, followed by the keyword(s). Examples: stephen king/shining; roosevelt/new deal
	Use an asterisk () when you don't know the exact spelling of a word or want variations of a word. Examples: dog will retrieve dog, dogs, dogwood, doghouse, etc. house will retrieve outhouse, doghouse, playhouse, etc. tl will retrieve tall, tool, traditional, etc.
	Use a question mark (?) to replace up to four characters. Each question mark represents a character. Examples: transport? will retrieve transport or transports but not transportation comput??? will retrieve computer, computers, compute but not computation wom?n wil retrieve woman, women, womyn
	Use and, or and but not for more exact searches. Use parentheses to group similar terms. Examples: (colorado or arizona) water rights travel mexico but not new
	Click on Help in LIBRAWeb for more search tips.

PATRON INFORMATION - FIND OUT WHAT YOU HAVE CHECKED OUT, OVERDUE, ON HOLD, ETC.

Follow these steps:

1.	At the Monroe County Library System's home page (www.libraryweb.org) click on Public Library Catalog.
2.	Click on Personal Library Information.
3.	Type in the number from your library card (it will start with 29077) and your last name.
4.	Click Enter.
5.	Click on any underlined word for more information about that item.
7.	When done, click Exit found in the upper right corner of the page.

copyright 2003
The development of this pathfinder was supported by Federal Library Services and Technology Act funds, awarded to the New York State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.