The “blue boxes” are your search buttons in the catalog. You’ll get the most results by clicking “Everything.”

Tip: You also can  use “Everything” if you want to combine words. For example, if you know the author’s last name is “Rowling” and one of the words in the title is “hallows”” you can type in “rowling and hallows” and click on “Everything.”

Narrow your search by choosing a specific Reading Level and/or format instead of “All.”

Tip: Juvenile generally covers materials for children from pre-school through middle school (8th Grade) and are located in Youth Services on the lower level. Young Adult generally covers materials for teens in High School and are located in The Loft on the Mezzanine.

If there is more than one result to your search, you’ll see a summary list of titles and some brief information about each one.

To get details about a particular item (including current location) click on “View Call Number, Location and Details.”

Tip: Search results are automatically given in chronological order (most recent first); you can change this by choosing a different “sort” option.

Tip: For related subjects, click on items in the “Try these too…” list.

After finding a title, click on View Call Number, Location and Details to see information about the location and availability of copies:

• “Adult Collection” – Items are shelved on both the main level and mezzanine.

Tip: Fiction titles are shelved alphabetically by the author’s last name on the main level.

• “On Mezzanine” – These items are marked “YA” (Young Adult) and are on the 2nd floor in The Loft area.
• “Youth Services” - These items all begin with “J” and are located on the lower level.
• “Checked out” – The item is being enjoyed by someone else. A due date is indicated BUT this does not reflect whether other patrons have placed a “hold” on the item.
• “On hold for someone” – The item is ready to be picked up by a patron who has placed it on hold.
• “Being acquired by the library” – A librarian has placed an order to purchase this item. Materials with this location can be further described as “on order” or “received.” In both cases the item is not yet available for checkout. You can, however, place a hold on the item and be notified when it is ready to be picked up.
• “In process” – The item is in the Library, but not yet ready to be checked out. You can, however, place a hold on the item and be notified when it is ready to be picked up.
• “In transit” – The item is on its way to/from another library for a patron.

I can’t find the item at all - If you have searched the catalog and get the message "no matches found" try widening your search to “All LINC libraries” (using the dropdown menu).

I found it, but it’s checked out - If an item is checked/charged out or owned by another library, you may be able to place a hold on it. See Placing A Hold for details.

I want a new item that I found at other LINC libraries but not St. Charles – If you see a bestseller or other new item owned by other LINC libraries and not St. Charles, it could be that our copy is on order and just doesn’t appear yet in the catalog. There are several ways to notify us of your interest in the item:

• try to place a hold on the item and when you see the message “Unsuccessful Hold Submission,” click on the link “send a purchase suggestion” and we will automatically be notified of your interest in this item.
• Ask Us! We are happy to help by email (please include your library card number and the title of the item), phone (630-584-0076 x 1) or in person at the Information Services Desk.

I still can’t find it - If the material you are looking for is not in the catalog, it may be available from a library outside our network via Interlibrary Loan.  You can submit an Interlibrary Loan request online, by phone (630-584-0076 x 1) or in person at the Information Services Desk.  A St. Charles Library card is required for this service.

I can’t place a hold on the book I want – If you try to place a hold on an item in the catalog, but get the message “Unsuccessful Hold Submission,” click on the link “send a purchase suggestion” and we will automatically be notified of your interest in this item.

Ask Us! We are happy to assist you in finding materials whether in person, by phone or online…

• We are happy to help you search the catalog! Drop by the Reader Services or Information Service Desk on the main level, or the ASK ME Desk in Youth Services.
• You don’t need to include the words “the” “a” or “an” when you’re searching (they appear so frequently the catalog doesn’t use them for searching.)
• Use the Browse Catalog option for one-word titles (example “Gilead”) or similar short titles, but leave out “a” “an” or “the” if they are the first word (ex. for “The Road” you would browse only “Road”).
• Expert searchers might appreciate the Advanced Search screen.
• The Readers Services staff will help you find books, including the next title in a series, new books that are similar to authors you enjoy, and recently released titles. Just Ask Readers Services.
• The “Readers Resources” page has even more hints and ideas.

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Copyright 2008 • St Charles Public Library, One South 6th Ave, St Charles, IL 60174 • www.stcharleslibrary.org