patron services

pages/posts related to patron service; opac, comcat, overdrive

eBooks in Enterprise!

new buttons

ERC - Electronic Resources Central, has been added to Enterprise! This is a new service that makes Overdrive and *Hoopla titles available in the Enterprise catalog, giving you the option to "Download", "Preview", and "Place Hold".

You will need to log in with your library card number. If you log in with your ALT ID, the login information can't be passed on to Overdrive or *Hoopla. This means, if you try to download, place a hold or preview a title, you'll get an error saying "There was an error accessing your title. Please contact your library for assistance."  If that happens, log out and back in with the 14 digit number on your library card.

*Hoopla is available by individual library subscription.

In "My Account", look out for a new Digital Checkouts area. Here you can download or view your digital checkouts, cancel holds, return digital checkouts, and suspend Overdrive holds.

More updates to look for:

  • When you're on a mobile device, you'll see a much more attractive mobile-friendly version of the catalog.
  • When you go to the item detail's page, a pop-up (modal) window will display the detailed title information and not go to a separate web page. Most of the same information will appear, including Novelist content.
  • A "Print Books" search limit will show in the 1st drop-down list on the search bar.
  • A "Kids' Search +" search limit will show, which will search only titles with a juvenile subject heading - print and digital 
  • A "series" facet will be added
  • Facets will appear collapsed as the default, making for a less cluttered look.
  • Google preview will be enabled for all available titles - physical and digital
  • You will be able to update your SMS (text notification) information

Question about search results

We received the following question and believe others are probably asking it as well.

Question: In "item search and display", when I look up "Summer of 69" by Elin Hilderbrand, and look at the detailed display, it lists 97 copies in the main search window. When I open the record and click on the red book widget in the upper left hand corner, it says there are 53 volumes. I had assumed that to mean that 53 libraries owned it and among them there were 97 copies in the system. I now realize that is wrong because when look up "It" by Stephen King, it lists 25 copies and 33 volumes which doesn't make sense. Could you please tell me how these two numbers factor into the system?

Answer: Here is the breakdown of how items are counted in the system.

Title = the bibliographic/cataloging record - there is only 1 based on edition/format/etc. 

Volume = number of call numbers in the system. To use your example, Summer of '69 - here is the display of volumes in the system:

If you then expand to view the items, here is where the 97 copies comes from:


So one volume can have several copies/barcodes/items attached to it.

For "It", there are 33 call number records, but only 25 copies are available - not set to lost, missing, discard, etc. That is where the number of copies in the results list comes from. 

Would you like to download the app?

When you visit Enterprise on a mobile device, you now have the option to directly download the mobile app from the app store that matches your device (either google play or the app store). This is what it looks like.

Learn more about the mobile app here.

Overdrive Help

Update on the OverDrive & Libby apps

Attention, OverDrive app users! OverDrive is discontinuing the legacy OverDrive app in early 2023 and transitioning users to the Libby app. Libby is OverDrive’s newer app for browsing and enjoying digital content from our library.

Download the Libby App here: https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/

It’s time to give Libby a try! All your loans, holds, and wish list items will be waiting for you in Libby when you add your library card.

Libby also comes with new features we know you’ll love, like:

  • Tags to categorize books however you’d like—you can even sync your OverDrive wish list into a tag!
  • A central bookshelf for all loans and holds
  • Customizable notifications for ready holds, new magazine issues, and more
  • Compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Sonos speakers
  • Easy access to OverDrive support staff

Learn more here.

Note: Our digital collection will continue to be available at https://sails.overdrive.com on desktop and mobile devices. You can also access Libby via a browser at https://libbyapp.com/library/sails.

For instructions on how to download or stream your digital loan, including how to send to a Kindle reader, visit Libby App Help.

The recommend to library feature in the OverDrive app is not available yet in Libby. It is something they are working towards. However, you can still recommend titles to the library in the OverDrive website via a browser.

Your reading history will not transfer from your OverDrive app account to Libby. If you are concerned about losing your reading history please visit OverDrive Reading History and decide which option is best for your needs.

(more…)

New Bedford – Computing for Adult Beginners

Born and raised in New Bedford, Amy Ferguson, MLIS, is the Reference Librarian at the New Bedford Free Public Library - Downtown Branch. Amy has been at the Downtown Library for 2 years and has a combined 11 years of academic, corporate, and public library experience. Amy brings with her a passion for libraries that fellow bibliophiles will understand. Not only interested in books, Amy’s favorite things to do are: create educational programs and help people with resumes! Amy says, “There is nothing better than seeing someone’s face light up when they see their resume transform from ‘meh’ to FANTASTIC!” Amy teaches the computer classes available at the Downtown library on Tuesdays and Thursdays and is always available for resume and technology assistance.

Mansfield – Teen Space

Amy Rosa is the Head of Reference at the Mansfield Public Library and has been there for 2 and a half years. She is a Taunton native who currently resides in North Providence with her husband and two daughters. She has been a librarian for the past 20 years beginning at her hometown library, the Taunton Public Library. She went on to receive her MLS at Indiana University and made her way back to the area to continue her career. She enjoys reading science fiction and young adult novels, yoga, rock climbing, and attending story times with her daughters.

Norfolk Public Library – Giant Candy Land!

Sarah Ward is the Children's Librarian at the Norfolk Public Library, but she actually began as a volunteer assistant and library page in high school. Currently, she is also enrolled in the MLIS program at Simmons.