Classic Catalog Search Tips - Movies

Getting Started

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

Narrow your search to DVDs and VHS tapes by clicking the Video/DVD button.

Tip: Use Everything if you want to combine words. For example, if you know the actor’s name is “Damon” and one of the words in the title is “Bourne” you can type in “damon and bourne” and click on “Everything.”  There’s no need use capital letters.

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.

Trying to search for a certain kind (or genre) of movie?  Try searching with one of these top subjects:

• Adventure films
• Animated films 
• Comedy films
• Romantic comedy films
• Fantasy films
• Feature films
• Gangster films
• Horror films
• Martial arts films 
• Science fiction films
• Superhero films

If you only want to limit your results to either the DVD or VHS format, try doing an Advanced Search.

From the drop down menus, choose either DVD or VHS from the Specific Format menu.

Your results list will show only the format that you chose.

Search by Everything, Authors, Titles, or Subjects as you would for books, just make sure the Video/DVD button is clicked on the Easy Search page, or either the DVD or VHS on the Advanced Search page.

Nonfiction Adult VHS and DVD items are shelved with the nonfiction books. For example, if you’d like a DVD about training your dog, just browse the same shelves where the dog training books are.

Nonfiction Youth Services VHS and DVD materials are shelved together, separate from books.

Click the name of the list you’d like to see (DVDs, Nonfiction DVDs, or Youth DVDs) for an alphabetical title list. You also may subscribe to an RSS feed and be notified via your RSS reader when we add new entertainment titles.

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: All of the feature films as well as films of some performances (concerts and operas) are shelved by the first three letters of title (leave out “a” “an” or “the”) on the main level.
Nonfiction adult titles (“DVD–NF” or “VHS–NF”) are on the shelves with books about the same subject filed by call number.

• “Youth Services” - These items all begin with “J” and are located on the lower level.

Tip: While most YS videos and DVDs are shelved together, those that begin J PARENT are shelved with the books and other items on the J PARENT shelves.

• “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 want a new item that I found at other LINC libraries but not St. Charles – If you see a 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 found it, but it’s checked out - If an item is checked/charged out or owned by another LINC library, you may be able to place a hold on it. See Placing A Hold for details.

I can’t place a hold on what 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 (“Gladiator”) or similar short titles. Leave out “a” “an” or “the” if it is the first word (search “astronaut farmer” not “the astronaut farmer”).
• Use Quick Lists to find Entertainment DVDs, new Entertainment DVDs, Nonfiction DVDs and Youth DVDs.
• We often can get items for you that you don’t see in the catalog from another library. We’ll also consider purchase requests. Ask Us!