Catalog Hints & Help
It's not just the "old card catalog any more." There are many nice features in the on-line catalog, but like everything else new, you need to use it to learn it! And, if you need help, ASK!
Keep in mind that we are a member of the ACLA (Allegheny County Library Association) consortium of libraries. ACLA includes CLP (Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and its many branches) and 44 other libraries in the county, from our own Scott Library to Avalon, Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, Crafton, Robinson, Moon, Castle Shannon, Swissvale, and many, many more.
If you are using the catalog to find something in the Scott Township Public Library some basic guide lines might help:
- We use the Dewey Decimal system to arrange our non-fiction items. [Most of us learned the Dewey system in grade school. If you go to CLP they use the Library of Congress system.]
- Biographies are shelved separately and have a "B" in the first position of the call number.
- Fiction is shelved by author's last name.
- If you are a visual person, we have a map to help you with a general overview.
Did you know?
You can see what every library in the county has! And then request it to be delivered to any library in the county. (And then you can return it to any library in the county.)
If no one has it, you can request an Inter-Library Loan (ILL).
Keep in mind that requests do take some time, but it is still cheaper then going to the book store to buy your own copy. (Although, if you do, and then don't want to store it we will gladly accept your donation!)
The list below are links to specific things within our on-line catalog which you might find useful:
- Basic searches. You can search by title, author, key word or subject.
- Advanced searches let you hone your search with more parameters. Do you only want DVDs? Do you only want books in Hindi? These and many other criteria may be selected here.
- Download Audio books to an MP3 player or your PC.
- You can manage your own library account through the catalog! You need your library card to do this. You will need to enter your name and number and then you will have access to all types of tools:
- You can learn how to Use "Preferred Searches".
- Set-up your own Preferred Searches.
- See how many items are currently checked out to you.
- See how many requests (AKA: holds) you have.
- See if you have unpaid fines and / or bills.
- Modify Personal Information.
- Sign up here for Email Notification!
- Renew your items.
- Place requests for titles.
- Lists of Best Sellers, Award Winners & special topics for the month.
- Try an Inter-Library Loan - request a book not found in The Catalog.
- Request a specific book be purchased. Note: This request will go to CLP and not your home library. If you want your library to purchase it you will need to contact them directly.