Skip to Main Content
Go to Penn Libraries homepage   Go to Guides homepage

Using the Library Catalog

Brief Display from Search Results

Brief display

The results of various keyword searches display as brief records in a search results search. Important information provided includes title, author, publication information, location, and availability.

Book called Andre Green at the Squiggle Foundation. The brief display shows that it is a Book, a revised edition, is part of the Winnicott studies monograph series, it is Available, located at the Van Pelt Library, and shows the call number.

 

Brief display of online items

Online items will display their link to connect to online access from the brief result item.

Entry for South Jersey legends and lore inclues a link to Ebook central

 

Brief display of records with multiple access points

Online items with multiple online access points will show links to the first three access points and then link to the full record to see the additional access points.

Brief display for the New York Times. The first three access points are shown, from Publisher Website, and two access points from ProQuest Historical Newspapers. Then a link says See 25 more options.

Anatomy of a Record

Reading individual records

This section walks through the various elements available within an individual item record. Enter a record from the results screen, or from a direct link.

Individual record of The Joy of Factoring, with sections labeled by number with red circles and white number text. 1 shows the title at the top of the record, 2 shows the tabs of holdings on the left, 3 shows the library location directly under the title, 4 shows the green Request an item button, 5 labels the general area where descriptions, tags, and the rest of the record is below, and 6 returns to the upper left to label the Bookmark and Tools buttons.

  1. Item title -- the biggest element on the page is the title of the item.
  2. Holdings tabs -- on the left, toggle between different copies of the item, or, if an online work, different access points for the item. Toggling the side tabs changes the content on the main part of the record.
  3. Location -- The place where the item is held, if a physical item. The accompanying dropdown arrow can be clicked to show the physical address and hours of the location.
  4. Request an item button -- A green button which enables users to access the item. Access method will depend on whether the item is available or unavailable, or housed in a special location.
  5. Record metadata -- the tags and other elements of description for this record
  6. Bookmark and Tools buttons -- The bookmark feature saves record to a user's bookmarks when logged in, and the Tools button opens up features such as citation export options, the ability to email a record, and staff view.

Navigating Holdings

Navigate through multiple holdings on the left

A significant change in the new catalog is the use of tabs along the left side to switch between different items in a single record. If there are multiple copies of a physical book with the same call number, for example, each copy will have its own tab.

Available physical items

Items which are both circulating and available have the "Available for Checkout" status, and display a note which says "This item can be checked out by visiting the library." Underneath is the button to request the item to be held at a circulation desk of one's choosing, in a locker, sent to the individual's home address via Books By Mail, or have a section scanned.

Individual record for Andre Green at the Squiggle Foundation. The item has the Available for Checkout status, saying, "This item can be checked out by visiting the library", followed by the green Request an Item button.

 

Unavailable physical items

Items which are checked out have the "By Request" status, and display a note which says, "Item cannot be checked out at the library but can be requested." Underneath is the button to request the item, which will trigger an interlibrary loan request.

An individual item record for La philosophie du Mont Blanc. The item says "By Request" in the lefthand holdings pane, and the availability status says "Item cannot be checked out at the library but can be requested", followed by a green Request an Item button.

 

Online items

Connect to online works through the green button listing the access point from within the individual record. If there are multiple access points, they will be listed on the tabs on the left. To choose a different access point, click on the tab, then click on the newly loaded green access button on the main part of the page.

Individual record for Le spleen de Poughkeepsie, with two online options on the tabs to the left, and a green access button which says "EBSCOhost Academic eBook Collection (North America)"

 

Items on reserve

The language for items on reserve is being updated for clarification as of 9/16/2024.

 

Items in LIBRA

Items from LIBRA, the offsite storage facility, have the "Available from offsite location" status, and display a note which says, "This item is stored in our repository but can be checked out." Underneath is the button to request the item to be held at a circulation desk of one's choosing, in a locker, sent to the individual's home address via Books By Mail, or have a section scanned.

Individual record for The Endangered English dictionary, with a status saying it is available from offsite location, and the green Request an Item button

 

Items from special collections

Items from special collections have the "Available in person" status, and display a note which says, "This item can be accessed at the library reading room." Underneath is the button to request an item, which will trigger a form which says "Special collections materials are available to anyone who wishes to consult them in the reading room" and the link to make the request in the Aeon special collections form.

Individual record for The birthday goat. It has the "Available in person" status, notes the location as from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, and shows the toggled Request an Item button to reveal the ability to schedule an appointment to see the item in person.

 

Items from HSP and the Athenaeum

Items from partner institutions such as the Historical Society of Pennsylvania or the Athenaeum of Philadelphia have the "Available in person" status, and display a note which says, "This item cannot be requested but can be accessed at the library." Underneath is the button to request an item, which will trigger a form which says "Materials kept by the Historical Society of Pennsylvania are accessed by appointment" and the link to schedule the appointment.

Individual record for The Pine Barrens. It has the "Available in person" status, notes the location as from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and shows the toggled Request an Item button to reveal the ability to schedule an appointment to see the item in person.

 

Requesting an item from within an individual record

See the guide page on Requesting Materials.

Login for best results

The most accurate availability display and request options appear when logged into the catalog. Users can login at the upper right of the screen.

Navigating Periodical Holdings

Online and Print Holdings for Periodicals

Periodicals will have separate records for online holdings and physical holdings.

Results display for the journal Conjunctions, with two records. The first shows online holdings for the journal, and the second shows print holdings.

 

Online periodicals

Once in an individual record for an online periodical, as with online books, streaming video, and streaming audio, use the tabs on the left to navigate between different online access points for the periodical.

Individual record for conjunctions with two tabs on the left for the two access points: humanities source and JSTOR

 

Print Periodicals

Once in an individual record for a print periodical, as with books, physical videos, and other physical formats, use the tabs on the left to navigate between different locations for the periodical. The different volumes and issues held in location will be specified directly underneath each call number.

Individual record for print holdings of Conjunctions. The three tabs on the left show that this journal is held in the Van Pelt Library, in LIBRA, and in LIBRA Special, with different volumes and issues in each.

Penn Libraries Home Search the Catalog
(215) 898-7555