Created by Elizabeth, Youth Services Librarian

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Catalog

Printable Version of Guide

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This guide will walk you through how to use the Princeton Public Library catalog. Instructions for how to access the catalog from home, how to best search within the catalog, and how to reserve and request books.

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How to Access the Library Catalog From Home:

1. Go to: https://princetonlibrarywv.com
2. Select the Catalog tab at the top of the website

Searching within the Catalog

• Keywords are the best way to search within the catalog, but a drop down menu allows you to search by title or author.
  • You can’t ask a catalog search questions like you would Google.
• You can sort the results by location, title, or authors by selecting the column labels at the top of the search results.
• The Princeton Public Library is predominantly grouped into five main locations; E (Early Reading), J (Juvenile), YA (Young Adult), A (Adult), and WV-Reads (e-books/audio books).
  • WV-Reads is managed through the Libby app.
• If a book is highlighted red instead of yellow, it means the book is unavailable at this time
  • You may place a reserve on an item that is out through the catalog, unless it is on WV-Reads.
• To locate the books on the shelf, write down everything that is in the Label Column (call number) and the Title.
• A library staff member will help you locate the item you’re searching for if you are unsure.

How to Reserve a Book:

Reserving a book is how you guarantee that no one else will check out a book you are interested in, allowing for a quick pick up from the front desk. Or, if you are waiting on a book that is currently out of the library you are placed in a line and will receive a call when it is returned.

1. Once you have accessed the Catalog using the above steps, log into your account in the upper right hand corner. Using your card number (found on the back of your library card) as the username and your phone number as the password
2. Search for a title, keyword, or author you are interested in reserving.
3. When you find the title you are interested in reserving click the button that says Reserve this item.
4. The item is placed on hold and you will receive a call from the library when it is ready to be picked up from the front desk.
5. If you encounter any issues call the library and they will help you.

How to Request a Book:

When we don’t have the book you are looking for you can place a request for the material you are interested in. We will first see if the material is available through Inter Library Loan (ILL), meaning we borrow it from another library. If it isn’t available through ILL we will order it. The library reserves the right to decline the request if it is not within the library’s budget to purchase or is deemed unfit for the library’s collection.

1. Log in to your library account as instructed in Step 1 of How to Reserve Books.
2. Select the My Account button under your user ID in the upper right hand corner of the catalog.
3. A bar will open with your account information. Select the Reserves/ Requests tab.
4. Select the blue link that says request.
5. Fill out the required information.
   1. If it is for a school project or you need it ASAP make a note of it in the Additional Information section including the date of when the project is due, so we can get the materials to you in a timely manner.
6. Once you complete the required information click the Send Request button.
   1. Your request will arrive between two weeks and a month if you do not specify that you need it sooner.
7. If you encounter any issues call the library and we will help you.