FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
About the Library Catalog

Getting Into the Catalog
How do I log in to the catalog?
What is my PIN?
I forgot my PIN. What should I do?

Searching the Catalog
What does the iBistro library catalog include?
Is there a way to see a list of DVDs, CDs or audiobooks that the library owns?
Is there a way to limit a search to just DVDs or just videos?
I can't believe you don't have the title I want--it's a bestseller!
I can't believe you don't have the title I want--it's a classic!
If I can't find what I want in the library catalog, what should I do?

Placing Holds
How do I place holds?
How many holds can I place at once?
How can I cancel a hold I have placed?
How long will it take to get something I've placed a hold on?
Can I pick up my holds at any library branch?
Can the library notify me by e-mail when my holds are available?
If I'm not allowed to place a hold, what can I do?

Your Library Record
Can I find out the due dates on my borrowed items or if I owe any overdue fines?
How can I renew materials online?

How do I log in to the catalog?
To log in to iBistro, type the entire barcode number on your Old Colony Library Network library card; it must be typed in without spaces. If you log in to iBistro before searching, you will be able to place holds and check your library account without re-typing your library card number for each task. When you are done in iBistro, be sure to log out to protect the confidentiality of your library account. If you do not have a library card or just want to do a quick search without logging in, you can search the catalog anonymously using our Quick Search link.

What is my PIN?
A PIN is a Personal Identification Number that provides additional confidentiality for your library account. You must type in your PIN to place holds or view your library account. All library users start out with the same PIN of ocln. We encourage you to change your PIN to one known only to you for greater confidentiality.

I forgot my PIN. What should I do?
If you have changed your PIN from ocln to one known only to you and have forgotten it, bring photo identification or your library card to the library and request the staff to look up your PIN for you. You can also do this by phone with your library card number (617-376-1301).

Is there a way to see what DVDs, CDs or audiobooks the library owns?
To see a list of DVDs & CDs:
At the catalog seach screen, select Video Cassette & DVD from the top (dark blue) search bar. At the next screen, you may select a particular library or leave the setting as it is, searching ALL OCLN libraries. Without putting in any search terms, just click on Search. This will give you a list of all the videocassettes & DVDs available in the network or in the library you have picked. They will appear generally with the newest titles first.

To see a list of musical recordings on CD & cassette:
At the catalog seach screen, select Audio Cassette & Compact Disc from the top (dark blue) search bar. At the next screen, you may select a particular library or leave the setting as it is, searching ALL OCLN libraries. Without putting in any search terms, just click on Search. This will give you a list of all the cassettes & CDs available in the network or in the library you have picked. They will appear generally with the newest titles first.

To see a list of audiobooks:
At the catalog seach screen, select Books on Tape & Compact Disc from the top (dark blue) search bar. At the next screen, you may select a particular library or leave the setting as it is, searching ALL OCLN libraries. Without putting in any search terms, just click on Search. This will give you a list of all the audiobooks on cassette & CD available in the network or in the library you have picked. They will appear generally with the newest titles first.

Is there a way to limit a search to just DVDs or just videos?
To find DVDs only, start with a Video Cassette & DVD search. Then type "DVD" AND a keyword or words in the Keyword search box. For example, "DVD and Harry Potter" will find a list of Harry Potter movies on DVD only.

To find VHS videos only, start with a Video Cassette & DVD search. Then type "VHS" AND a keyword or words in the Keyword search box. For example, "VHS and yoga" will find a list of yoga videos.

Remember, you must type the word "and" between the format word (DVD or VHS) and your other keywords, AND you must select a Keyword search (not Title or Cast Member).

I can't believe you don't have the title I want--it's a bestseller! What should I do?
If you have searched iBistro and see a bestseller or other new item owned by other OCLN libraries and not by Quincy, it could be that our copy is on order and just doesn't appear yet in the catalog. Library staff can put you on the reserve list and a hold will be placed when the title is put into the catalog.

I can't believe you don't have the title I want--it's a classic! What should I do?
If you have searched iBistro and get a message like "found no matches in any library," check to make sure you are searching ALL libraries and not just a Quincy location.

If the title I want is not in the iBistro library catalog, what should I do?
If the material you are looking for is not in iBistro (at any OCLN library location), it may be available from a library outside the Old Colony Library Network via the Massachusetts Virtual Catalog or via Interlibrary Loan. You can search for an item and request it directly in the Virtual Catalog or you can submit an Interlibrary Loan request online or in person at any Quincy library location. See Interlibrary Loan Borrowing Service for more details about the library's Interlibrary Loan service.

How do I place holds?
If an item is owned by another library or checked/charged out, you may be able to place a hold on it. See Placing Holds for details.

How many holds can I place at once?
You may place up to 15 holds.

How can I cancel a hold I have placed?
To cancel a hold, log in to the catalog with your library card number and PIN and select Manage My Account. Beneath the list of items you have checked out, you will see a list of items you have on hold. Click in the Cancel box next to each title you want to cancel and then click on Cancel selected holds.

How long will it take to get something I've placed a hold on?
If the material is on the shelf at the owning library and there are no holds ahead of you, it should arrive within a week. If the material is checked out to another user and/or there are other holds ahead of you, there's no way to accurately predict how long it will take.

Can I pick up my holds at any library branch?
Whenever you place a hold on an item, a default pickup location displays. If you want to pick up your holds at a different location, click on the down arrow to the right of the pickup location and select another location from the list. You can pick up holds at any Quincy location or at any other OCLN library location. Do not select a location that begins with the letter "z" (for example, "zOCLN Central Site").

Can the library notify me by e-mail when my holds are available?
Yes. Register your e-mail address at the circulation desk (617-376-1301) and the library will send you e-mail notification when the items you placed on hold arrive or if you have overdue materials. Use this option only if you check your e-mail regularly. If your e-mail address changes, be sure to notify the library.

If I'm not allowed to place a hold, what can I do?
Usually when a hold is not allowed it is because the material is new and the owning library has restricted its use, usually for six months. You will see the designation LOCAL HOLDS or NO HOLDS in the copy information section of the title record. If Quincy does not own a copy, you can come to or call the library (617-376-1301); library staff may be able to request the item or place a hold on your behalf. You can also travel to a library that owns the title and place a hold there, or wait until the material becomes available for network-wide holds in a few months.

Sometimes a hold is blocked when the material is for reference only in the owning library or on reserve for the owning library's users (typically, at Massasoit Community College or Eastern Nazarene College). We recommend that you travel to the nearest owning library to consult the material there. If a lookup and some photocopied pages would be sufficient, contact the Reference Department and library staff can arrange to have the material checked and photocopies supplied via fax or mail.

Can I find out the due dates on my borrowed items or if I owe any overdue fines?
When you are logged in to iBistro, select Manage My Account to view items you have checked out and any fines due. You will need your library card number (User ID) and your PIN to log in. Be sure to log out completely when finished.

How can I renew materials online?
To renew materials, log in to iBistro with your library card number and PIN and select Manage My Account. Click in the checkboxes next to each title you want to renew and then click on Renew Selected Items.

More Library Catalog Help

Last Modified: November 2, 2005
©Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy, Mass. 02169