Quick Tips for The Online Catalog

(For more detailed instructions, click on the underlined word in the left column below.)

How do I....	Here's how...

search for material?	Choose the type of searching you'd like to do from the "Keyword, Browse or Exact" options. Enter in your search term(s), and select a category by clicking on one of the following buttons - "Everything, Authors, Titles, Subjects, Series, or Journal Titles." For a more detailed search, try "Switch to Power Search", which will allow you to narrow your search term (by item type, language, date of publication, etc.). Don't forget - the Online Catalog now searches for items in Fairfield Public Library, Fairfield Woods Library, and Pequot Library combined. If you'd like to search an individual library's catalog separately, choose it from the menu under "Select Libraries."

place a "hold" on a book?	Search the online catalog for the item. If a list of titles is generated, click on for the title that you are interested in. Click on the icon and follow the instructions. You will be asked for your library barcode number. Enter all 14 digits - no spaces, no letters. Be sure to when you are finished.

remove a "hold" that I have placed?	Click on on the top tool bar. On the next screen, click on "Review My Account." Enter your library barcode number - no spaces, no letters. A listing of the activity for your account will be displayed. Go to the "Holds" section. Mark the "Remove Holds" box and then click on the "Cancel Selected Holds" box. Be sure to when you are finished.

renew my library materials?	Click on on the top toolbar, then click on "Renew My Materials" and follow the instructions. You will be asked for your library barcode number. Enter all 14 digits - no spaces, no letters. Be sure to when you are finished.

see what I have checked out; when my materials are due; what bills/fines I have incurred?	Click on on the top toolbar, then click on "Review My Account". You will be asked for your library barcode number. Enter all 14 digits - no spaces, no letters. Be sure to when you are finished.

suggest that the Library purchase an item which it doesn't own?	Click on on the top toolbar. Then click on "FPL Suggest to Purchase." Fill out the "Suggest to Purchase" form and click "Submit." Your request will be automatically emailed to the library.

submit an interlibrary loan request?	(This option is for Fairfield residents only). Click on on the top toolbar. At the next screen, click on "FPL Interlibrary Loan." Select whether you want to request a book or an article, then fill out the appropriate online form.

find newspaper/magazine articles, business directories, art/science/literature/health databases?	Click on on the top toolbar. The next screen will include a menu of online resources including "Online Databases" Click on the one that is appropriate for you. The next screen will list the databases available including descriptions of each. Click on the database of your choice. Note: If using the databases from home, your Fairfield Public Library barcode number will be required as the password or id number.

Icons: = summary = review = author biography = table of contents =chapter of book available online = may be put on hold
= Children's Literature reviews of books = Library of Congress item information
=publisher's blurb