|
Getting Started
Definition - What is PowerPAC?
What is the difference between Polaris and PowerPAC?
Browsers - Which browsers can I use with PowerPAC?
Searching
Cookies - I'm having difficulty searching the catalog and am getting errors about cookies. What is the problem?
Audiobook Search - I want to see all of the fantasy audiobooks on CD. Is this something I can do in PowerPAC?
Results
Availability - How do I know if this library owns a book and if it is available?
Hold Requests
Hold Requests - How do I have an item held for me that is checked out? How can I have an item sent here from another Finger Lakes Library System library?
Hold Requests - I want to place a hold request on a very specific copy of an item.
Fee - Is there a fee for placing a hold request?
Your Account
Your Library Account
Your Library Account Brochure (.pdf)
Password - PowerPAC is asking me to type in my password along with my barcode number. Do I have a password?
Renew - How can I renew my items (books, DVDs, etc...)?
Getting Started
Q: Definition - What is PowerPAC?
A: PowerPAC is the online "card catalog" that allows you to search for materials we own in our library, and materials owned by the Finger Lakes Library System.
Q: Definition - What is the difference between Polaris and PowerPAC?
A: Polaris is the Integrated Library System (ILS) that controls almost everything we do here in the library. It is the system we use for registering your patron information, keeping inventory of our materials, linking these materials to your patron file, searching this inventory, controlling the ability to access our databases from your home, and allowing you to renew items.
PowerPAC is the catalog that you see when you search for a book, check your account, and renew your items. PowerPAC is just one part of Polaris.
Q: Browsers - Which browsers can I use with PowerPAC?
A: Microsoft OS: IE 5.x & 6.x, Netscape 4.0, 4.7x, 6.x & 7.x, Opera 7.0, > PWB 2.0, and Firefox 1.0
Mac OS 8.1: IE 5.x and Netscape 4.7x
Q: Cookies - I'm having difficulty searching the catalog and am getting errors about cookies. What is the problem?
A: You need to turn on cookies in some manner to search PowerPAC. Polaris PowerPAC uses non-permanent memory cookies to tract things such as the session activity, account information when logged in, and to assist in searching. When you close the session (browser), the cookie is gone.
Please note: Due to the wide variety of browser versions, these instructions may not be exact.
Internet Explorer (version 6.0): Go to “Tools” menu at the top of your window. Select “Internet Options,” "Privacy," and select the "Advanced" button. You can have both First-party and Third-party cookies blocked and check "Always allow session cookies" and still use PowerPAC.
Firefox (version 5.0): Go to "Tools" menu at the top of your window. Select "Options" and "Privacy." Click on "Cookies" and check "Allow sites to set cookies" and click "OK."
Opera (version 7.54u2): Go to "Tools" menu at the top of your window. Select "Quick Preferences" and select "Enable cookies."
Searching
Q: I'm looking for a way to narrow-down my audiobook search.
A: Use Series search as shown below...
...and use any of these terms:
Unabridged biographies on cassette
Unabridged biographies on CD |
Unabridged nonfiction on cassette
Unabridged nonfiction on CD |
Unabridged classics on cassette
Unabridged classics on CD |
Unabridged poetry on cassette
Unabridged poetry on CD |
Unabridged drama on cassette
Unabridged drama on CD |
Unabridged romance stories on cassette
Unabridged romance stories on CD |
Unabridged fantasy fiction on cassette
Unabridged fantasy fiction on CD |
Unabridged science fiction on cassette
Unabridged science fiction on CD |
Unabridged fiction on cassette
Unabridged fiction on CD |
Unabridged short stories on cassette
Unabridged short stories on CD |
Unabridged history on cassette
Unabridged history on CD |
Unabridged spy stories on cassette
Unabridged spy stories on CD |
Unabridged inspirational fiction on cassette
Unabridged inspirational fiction on CD |
Unabridged war stories on cassette
Unabridged war stories on CD |
Unabridged mysteries on cassette
Unabridged mysteries on CD |
Unabridged westerns on cassette
Unabridged westerns on CD |
Results
Q: Availability - How do I know if this library owns a book and if it is available?
A: If Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL) owns a book (or DVD, CD, VHS, etc.) you will see under the author/title/publisher information the words "This Library ." However, be careful of what it says after "This Library ." If it says, 1 (of 1) as it does in the example below, that means we own a copy and it is in the library. However, if it says 0 (of 1) that means we own a copy, but it is not available right now. If it says, This Library 0 (of 0) it means we do not own the item. Items owned at Other Libraries means the item is available elsewhere in the Finger Lakes Library System, and in most cases we can have the item sent to TCPL for you.
Hold Requests
Q: Hold Requests - How do I have an item held for me that is checked out? How can I have an item sent here from another Finger Lakes Library System library?
A: You can place hold requests on items that are either checked out at our library, or at Finger Lakes Library System member libraries (their items are listed in our catalog). Hold requests are 50 cents for each item which you pay when you pick up the item. To place a hold request:
Locate the item in the catalog.
-
If all of our copies are checked out or are not in our library, click on "Place Hold Request."
Note: Member libraries do not loan their bestsellers and new books to other libraries. If TCPL does not own any copies of a bestseller or new book, please see a reference librarian to see if the item is on order.
-
-
Once logged in, you will see a screen like this. Click on the "Submit Request" button and your hold request has been placed. Click on "Return to search results" to go back to your search.
-
Once the item arrives for you, you will receive either a mail or email notice notifying to pick up the item at the Circulation desk. When you pick up the item, you will pay the holds fee.
Q: Hold Requests - I want to place a hold request on a very specific copy of an item.
A: For example, the library owns all eight volumes of Upstairs, Downstairs : [videorecording] the fifth season and you need volume 4 of the set. However, everytime you place a request, the first available copy is being held for you which is never the volume you want.
Generally, you should place hold requests for the first available copy of a title. However, there are some cases when the library has different volumes attached to the same record. If you want a particular volume in a set, you will need to place an item-specific hold. If you follow the Upstairs, Downstairs example above, you will need to place an item-specific hold so you receive volume 4. If you choose "Place Request" you will get the first-available copy and may get volume 3 over and over again. Here's how to place an item-specific hold:
-
Search for the desired title and click on "Call Number & Availability."
-
Click on the icon to the left of the volume you want which reads "Request this specific copy." 
-
You will be prompted for your barcode number and password. The barcode number is located on the back of your library card. Your password is by default the last four-digits of your telephone number.
-
After you enter this information, click "Login" and "Submit Request."
-
You will be asked, "Do you want to request this specific item or the first available copy of this title?" Click "This item only" and you should receive a confirmation that "Your request has been placed."
Q: Fee - Is there a fee for placing a hold request?
A: We charge a 50 cent for placing a hold request that you pay at the time you pick up the item.
Your Account
Q: Password - PowerPAC is asking me to type in my password along with my barcode number. Do I have a password?
A: Online patron accounts require your library card number and a password. This offers you added security for your library account. So if you like to renew your books or check your account online, you are now required to enter your password as well. To make this transition easier, we automatically assigned the last four-digits of your phone number as your password which you can change once you log in for the first time. Also, you must enter the D from your barcode. If your password is not working, please contact the Circulation Desk at 272-4557 x269. You must have your library card number when you call.
|
