|
MLN2 Marmot Library Network |
Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions (Please click the question to reveal/hide answer)
The abbreviation FLC stands for Flatirons Library Consortium. The consortium is made up of three libraries; Boulder Public Library, Louisville Public Library, and Mamie Doud Eisenhower/Broomfield Public Library. These consortium member libraries share a library computer system. However, each library is governed by a separate municipality and is therefore, subject to their own set of rules and policies.
What do the location codes mean? 
The location codes displayed under a full record view define where an item is located in the library. You may click on a code title to see more information about where exactly in the library the item resides. The location code abbreviations are defined as follows:
- BPL - Boulder Public Library
- BMAIN - Main Branch
- BCARN - Carnegie Branch Library for Local History
- BGRB - George Reynolds Branch Library
- BMDWS - Meadows Branch Library
- LSV - Louisville Public Library
- MDE - Mamie Doud Eisenhower/Broomfield Public Library
What does each item status mean?
| Status code | What it means |
|---|---|
| ASK LIBRARY STAFF | The item is either a digital/downloadable resource, or a hard copy item currently unavailable to check-out. If the item is a digital resource and you need assistance, please ask library staff for more information. If the item is unavailable for check-out, searching for another copy is recommended. |
| BEING SHELVED | The item has been checked in recently, and may already be on the shelf. The item may also be in a sorting area waiting to be shelved. Please ask library staff for assistance if you cannot find the item on the shelf. |
| BILLED or BILLED with a due date | The item is currently checked out to a person who has been billed for the replacement cost of the item. Searching for another copy is recommended. |
| CLAIMS RETND | The item was checked out, someone claims they returned it, but we can't find it. A search process is activated when an item’s status becomes CLAIMS RETND. Searching for another copy is recommended. Please ask library staff for more information. |
| DAMAGE/MEND | The item is not available for check-out; an item with this status is being reviewed because it has been damaged or returned missing a part. Searching for another copy is recommended. |
| DUE mm-dd-yy | A library item that shows a date in the status field is due on that date. If the date is past, someone else has the item checked out and it is overdue. You may wish to request another copy from Prospector. |
| IN PROCESS | The item has been recently ordered for the library and is being cataloged and made ready for check-out. Placing a hold on this item or searching for another copy is recommended. |
| IN TRANSIT or IN TRANSIT + HOLD | The item is currently being transferred from one location to another and not available. + HOLD indicates at least 1 hold has been placed by someone else and is going to be reserved for them when it arrives at its destination. Placing a hold on this item or searching for another copy is recommended. |
| INVENTORY | The item is in an area that is being inventoried. It is available for check-out or holds. |
| LIB USE ONLY | The item is to be used in the library only and not available for check-out. |
| LOST | The item was reported lost either by the person who has it checked out or when the library’s search process has been unsuccessful. Searching for another copy is recommended. |
| LOST & PAID | The item has been lost by the person who has it checked out and a replacement charge has been collected. Searching for another copy is recommended. |
| MISSING | The item can't be found. A search process is activated when an item’s status becomes missing. Searching for another copy is recommended. |
| ON DISPLAY | The item is on display in the library and is available for check-out. Please check displays or ask library staff to help you find the item. |
| ON HOLDSHELF | The item is being held for someone who has requested it. Placing a hold on the item or searching for another copy is recommended. |
| ON SEARCH | The item has recently been reported as missing and library staff are looking for it. |
| PROSP OFF-CAMPUS | The item has been borrowed by another library through the Prospector system. Placing a hold or searching for another copy is recommended. |
| PROSP PAGED | The item has been requested by another library through the Prospector system. |
| SHELF | The item is not checked out, i.e., it should be on the shelf at the location listed. If you can't find it, please ask for help from a staff member. |
What is a Wish List? How do I set up a Wish List?
A Wish List can be used to keep track of books and other library materials you may be interested in but have not yet checked out--or cannot check out at the present time. After logging into your library account, click "My Wish Lists" to view and manage your Wish List(s). You can sort, export, move, delete, rename, and batch request titles.
To add materials to a Wish List, you can either check the mark box that corresponds to the title, or click the "Add to Wish Lists" link. You will then be prompted to log into your library account if you have not already done so. After logging in, you can either create a new list (naming it something meaningful to you, such as "Books about Colorado") or select a list that you created at an earlier date. Click the Submit button to save the items to a list and a confirmation message will display (For exampe: " 3 records saved to "Books about Colorado" for later."
To view your Wish Lists, click "Return to My Account" which is located in the menu running across the top of library catalog. When your Account information displays, click on "My Wish Lists" from the list on the left.
What are the implications for My Reading History and Preferred Searches in terms of confidentiality and the PATRIOT Act?
Library patrons need to be aware that using My Reading History or Preferred Searches features means this information is being stored on the library computer server. If we are served with a subpoena, this information might have to be surrendered to law enforcement officials. More information about patron record confidentiality.
To access the My Reading History feature:
- Log in to your account online.
- Click on the My Reading History link.
- To enable My Reading History, click the Opt In button.
- To disable at any time, click on the Opt Out button. (NOTE: All entries in My Reading History must be deleted before the system will allow you to opt out.)
- To selectively delete items from the list, check the entry in the Mark column and click on Delete Marked.
- To delete all entries, click on Delete All.
What does the "Your registration has expired" message mean when I try to renew items or place holds?
You will need to contact your home library directly either in person, by phone, email, or an on-line feedback form whenever you see this message.It means that your library card has expired and requires manual intervention to renew.
Why do some items in the catalog have additional links?
There are links in the catalog to a number of different electronic resources including:
- Table of Contents
- Book jacket images
- Summaries and contents through the "More Information" button
- Historical photographs from the Carnegie Branch Library collection
- Oral histories from the Carnegie Branch Library collection
- Electronic books and resources
Can I have more information about downloading eBooks, Audiobooks, etc.?
The following resources can give you more information about the downloadable titles offered in the Frontrange Downloadable Library:
What is Prospector and how do I use it?
Prospector is a unified catalog of academic, public and special libraries in Colorado and Wyoming. Through Prospector you have access to 30 million books, journals, DVDs, CDs, videos and other materials held in these libraries. With a single search you can identify and borrow materials from the collections and have them delivered to your local library. You can connect to Prospector by clicking on the Search Other Libraries link displayed in any search result screen in the catalog. You must have a valid library card in order to place items on hold through Prospector.
What are the databases and internet resources and how do I use them?
Each of the FLC libraries subscribes to a unique set of remote databases. Valid library card holders may use these databases free of charge. Some databases are offered to patrons both inside and outside the library while others are restricted to in-library use only. These databases offer a rich source of information. Periodically, the libraries offer classes to patrons on how to use the different databases. Please see your home library's website or visit the reference area for more information about these resources.
Searching
Type the keyword you want to find. For example:
- design
- bleachers grisham
| Wildcards |
Words may be right-hand truncated using an asterisk ('*') in place of other characters. The '*' wildcard may also be embedded in a search string. You may use '?' to replace a single character anywhere within a word. Examples : environment* polic*, wom?n |
|---|---|
| Boolean Operators |
Use "and" or "or" to specify multiple words in any field, any order. Use "and not" to exclude words. Example : stocks and bonds Example : (alaska or canada) and (adventure and not vacation) |
| Field limits | A field limit causes the system to search only the specified field for the specified word(s). |
| Grouping | Keyword search results are usually grouped by relevance to bring the most likely titles to the top of the list. Each group represents a similar level of relevance and results are sorted within the group by date or title. To get an ungrouped result set, use boolean operators to form a complex query. |
Advanced Keyword Search Tips
Multiple Words
When searching multiple words the system will automatically supply the Boolean "and" operator between each word; multiple words entered for the search will all occur somewhere in the retrieved records though not necessarily in the order entered. Both examples on the right will retrieve the same results.
Examples
Using multiple words:
university science department
university and science and department
Phrase Searches
Search for complete phrases by enclosing them in quotation marks. Words enclosed in double quotes will appear together in all results exactly as typed.
Examples
A phrase Search:
"university science department"
Wildcards
* Matches any number of non-space characters, starting at the specified position in the word. For example, "comput*" will match all words that begin with "comput" (e.g., "computer", "computation", etc.).
The '*' wildcard may also be embedded in a search string.
? You may use a question mark ('?') to replace a single character anywhere within a word.
Boolean Operators
Use AND or OR to specify multiple words in any field, any order. Use AND NOT to exclude words. Select the operator you wish to use from the selection list on the Advanced Search form.
Examples
Using Boolean operators:
stocks and bonds
stocks or bonds
stocks and not bonds
Field Limits
Field limits may be specified by selecting a field limit from the selection list. These limits appear before the word or phrase to be searched. A field limit causes the system to search only the specified field for the specified word(s).
Field Limits and their meanings:
- Author: Search only author fields
- Title: Search only title fields
- Subject: Search only subject fields
- Note: Search only note fields
- Subject: Search only subject fields
Grouping
Keyword search results are usually grouped by relevance to bring the most likely titles to the top of the list. Each group represents a similar level of relevance and results are sorted within the group by date or title. To get an ungrouped result set, use boolean operators to form a complex query.
Most relevant titles
Highly relevant titles
Very relevant titles
Relevant titles
Other relevant titles
Saving your searches
If you have a favorite author or subject for which you often search when using the catalog, you can save the search with the click of a button. This will prevent you from having to key in the search each time and let you place reserves on new materials quicker.
How to:
- Log in to My Account.
- Click on the "New Search" button.
- Search for your favorite author, subject, title, etc. or create an advanced keyword search including limits to material type, language, publication year, etc..
- When your results are displayed, click the button marked "Save as preferred search".
- The next time that you log in to My Account, you can click the "Preferred Searches" button to see a list of your saved searches.
- Click on the search link associated with any of the preferred search terms in the list to quickly execute your search.
- You can be alerted of new materials added to the library collection which match your searches. Just check the "Mark for Email" box and be sure that your patron record information includes your current email address.
Renewals
Library cardholders may renew their own materials online. All material may be renewed except for materials with reserves and materials on which you owe fines.
How to:
- Log in to My Account.
- If not the default view click the "Items currently checked out" link to view the materials you have checked out.
- Select the materials you want to renew by checking the boxes in the RENEW column and then click the Renew Selected button. If you want to renew everything, click the Renew ALL button.
- If you cannot renew items, a message will appear on the screen. If you are successful, a new due date will appear in the "STATUS" column. Always check the STATUS column for information on the success or failure of your renewal.