Q: What does the catalog have in it?
A: The JCPL catalog contains information about the books, audio books, CDs, videos, DVDs, electronic books, databases and magazines that JCPL owns or has access to. In addition there are links to the Prospector+ system, which has the same type of information about other public and academic libraries across Colorado.
Q: How do I search?
A: There are three parts to the search screen. First choose the type of search by clicking on the drop-down arrow. Click search tips to find out about the different types. Second, type in your search terms. Third, you can search the entire collection or you can choose to limit by format, such as DVD. In library terms, we call this scoping. Finally, click on the button that says "Search" or use the enter key on your keyboard.
Q: Once I find something in the catalog, how do I know where it is?
A: Click on the title and you'll get a list of library locations, call numbers, and whether the item is available or checked out. If you're in the library and the catalog shows it available in your library, you can use the call number to find the item on the shelf. If it is not available you can request the item. Note: The Resource Collection contains important but less used materials. While the collection is closed to the public, items can be requested and sent to your library location.
Q: Can I limit my search to a specific JCPL location?
A: No, because we share our collection you are not able to limit your search to a specific location. You can limit your search to see what items are currently available on the shelf at our locations. Do your search as usual, then on the results page you will see a check box -- Limit your search to available items. Click the box and then click Search. The system will show you only what is on the shelf.
Q: What if I don't see a call number?
A: If you see a heading for call numbers, but only see personal names in that column, then you're looking at the call number. A call number may not actually include any numbers! Fiction is shelved alphabetically by the author's last name and biographies are shelved by the last name of the person the book is about, so sometimes you won't find numbers, only letters.
Q: How do I use the call number?
A: The call number is basically a way to find the item on the shelf. JCPL uses the Dewey Decimal system. If there's a letter in front of the number, that's what we call a shelf code. In some cases, these materials may be shelved separately. Click here to find out what those letters mean. If you're not sure where to find these materials in your local library, please ask someone at the Information Desk.
Q: What if I don't find a title in your catalog?
A: There are a couple of options, title search and keyword search. You can try the words from the title as a keyword search instead of a title search. You may have misremembered the title and a keyword search is more forgiving than a title search. Another option is to try the Prospector catalog. Look on the right side of the screen, under More Information for the rectangle labeled "Search Prospector+". Clicking here will take you to a combined catalog of public and academic libraries across the state. Even if you don't find it at first, once you are in Prospector, try your search again. Sometimes you'll get it the second time because of the way all of the libraries' records are linked together. If you still cannot locate it, you may submit an Interlibrary Loan request and we will search for it in other libraries. By the way, it's not necessary to add the words "A" or "The" at the beginning of the title. Also, if your title begins with the word A, for example "A is for alibi," type A A is for alibi so that the system does not ignore the letter A.
Q: What if I don't find an author in your catalog?
A: Again, there are a couple of options. Be sure you typed the last name first [Brown, Dan]. If you know the title of one of the author's books, try searching for the title. If you find it, click on the author's name in the record and you'll get any other titles we have by that author. If JCPL doesn't own anything by the author, an option is to click into Prospector+ to check with our partner libraries. If you still cannot locate it, you may submit an Interlibrary Loan request and we will search for it in other libraries.
Q: What if I can't find the subject I'm looking for?
A: The subjects in the library catalog are based on official Library of Congress subject headings. Sometimes these headings are not the same words you or I would use. Try your search as a keyword search, which will look for those words or groups of words in the subject headings as well as in the titles, contents and notes. If you need help ask a librarian.
Q: What's a keyword search?
A: A keyword search will look for words in the title, subject and contents fields. The system looks for them in any combination or order and assumes the AND command between each term so that all the terms must be in the record. To look for the words all together as a phrase, use quotation marks around the words, for example "civil war".
Q: What if none of the copies are available?
A: If the copies of the title you want to read are all checked out, you can place a request. There is a button at the top of the catalog labeled Request. Click this, then enter your name, library card number and where you want to pick up the item. The system will confirm that the request has been placed. The library will notify you when the item is ready for pickup.
Q: How to I find out what movies the library owns?
A: Do a subject search "Feature films". The result list will be in alphabetical order by title. If you would like a chronological list, click on the "Limit/Sort" button. In the drop-down box that says "System Sorted" choose "Reverse year" if you wish to have the newest films first. Choose "Year" if you wish to have the oldest films or films with no dates listed first, then click on the gray bar that says "Limit/sort items".
Q: What if I only want to search for books, not movies or music?
A: Use Advanced Search. Type your search in the Keywords box. Then use the drop-down arrow beside Format and select Book. You may also use the other options such as Language and Date if desired.
Q: Do you have government documents?
A: Selected information provided by local, state and federal governments is located at the Lakewood Library. You can use our catalog or browse the shelves to find maps and information on population trends, economic development, water, energy, careers and countless other topics. The Jefferson County Public Library is designated as a selective Federal Depository Library. Find out more about government documents at the Lakewood Library Information Desk.
Q: What are some of the other features of your catalog?
A: If you want to learn about more advanced features please click on a topic:
Advanced Search
Author/Title Combined Search
Changing search type
JCPL History
Limiting
Other resources button
Placing holds
Saving records
Scoping
Search as words button
Similar records
Sorting