Evergreen Catalog Update

The online Evergreen catalog has been up and running for almost three months now and I am pleased to report that one of the features lost in the migration – the ability to see your queue position on the holds list – has been restored. If you go into your account, under View Holds, and click on “Status” you will see what number you are on the list, out of how many holds, and the total  number of copies available in the consortium. You still do not see any “In Transit” messages; for those who track their requests regularly, this feature is yet to come. However, you should note that the due date now appears when you click “copy details” next to the individual items. 

When you log-in you can customize several aspects of your account. The system lets you change your password. It also lets you keep lists of items in Bookbags, for example, books you have read or want to read, and share them with others by placing a link in an email.

In your account you can also control settings for Evergreen searches. You can choose a particular format, ask that your own library come up first when searching, and limit the number of hits per page. For notifications, if you have both a phone number and an email address listed, the system defaults to your email. You can change this setting to a phone call, if you prefer. If you have email notification, you will receive a courtesy notice three days before an item is due.

Neither time nor technology have changed the fact that we at the library want to help you to find the items you are looking for. If you don’t see what you want when you search the catalog, please tell us. We will purchase the item or try to find it through interlibrary loan, outside the MVLC consortium.

Also, please be aware that there is an Express book section – copies of the most popular books out on display by the elevator. These copies are there for the taking; they can’t be reserved. If you’re looking for one of the new, popular books, it’s a good idea to check the Express display every time you’re in the library and you may be in luck.

In a few months, there will be a new release of the catalog, with additional features, including the ability to search on mobile devices.

Staff at MVLC are working with others in the Open Source community to fine-tune Evergreen. We welcome and encourage your comments and suggestions and thank you for your patience as this new catalog evolves.

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