- How can I tell if an item is available in the library?
- What is a Call Number?
- How do I use a Call Number to locate a book on the shelf?
- What do the letters in front of the Call Number mean?
- What does Location refer to?
- What if I find the title, but the catalog says there are "no copies available at this time"?
- How do I place a hold request using the online catalog?
- How will I be notified when my hold request is ready?
- How can I cancel a hold?
- How do I search for books on Compact Disc in the catalog?
- I need a described video for a blind friend. How do I find those in the catalog?
- I used the catalog and now when I try to get to the Patron Information it takes me back to the catalog! What's happening?
- I have your catalog page (library card and account page) bookmarked and suddenly I can't access it anymore. What happened?
1: How can I tell if an item is available in the library?
From your search results, click on the title of the item you want. This will display the full record for that item. Scroll down the page until you see "Where to find it". This is a list of which libraries own the item, whether it is In the Library or Checked out, the call number, and any special location information:
Where to find it
| Library | Location | Date | Call Number | Status |
| Clayton | YA | 12/28/05 | 812.6 STEVENS | Checked out |
| Oakley | YA | 12/01/05 | 812.6 STEVENS | In Library |
| Orinda | YA | 12/06/05 | 812.6 STEVENS | On Hold Shelf |
| Pinole | YA | 12/28/05 | 812.6 STEVENS | Checked out |
| Ygnacio Valley | YANEW | 12/02/05 | 812.6 STEVENS | In Library |
2: What is a Call Number?
A call number is like an address: it tells us where the item is located in the library. Each item in the library has a unique call number. For non-fiction, the Contra Costa County Library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification system which classifies items into 10 main categories, each of which is assigned a number. These categories are further subdivided. The Dewey call number consists of a number indicating the main subject the item is about and then the author's last name
3: How do I use a Call Number to locate a book on the shelf?
Find the call number and location in the catalog. Locate stacks for that call number. Numbers are chronological and everything after the decimal point is read as a decimal number, for example, 976.306 comes after 976.3, and before 976.35, followed by 976.4, etc. Read from left to right in stacks, one section at a time, across, then down that section. Locate the book with number matching the call number from the library catalog.
4: What do the letters in front of the Call Number mean?
Use these charts to understand how letter codes are used to designate different types of materials:
| Codes for Biography, Fiction, and Genre Fiction | |||
| Call Number | Description | Example | Location |
| B + name | Biographies | B EINSTEIN, A | All grouped in one area, alphabetically by name of subject |
FIC + author's last name |
Adult Fiction | FIC DICKENS | All grouped together, alphabetically by author |
| W + author's last name | Adult Westerns | W LAMOUR | Grouped together alphabetically by author |
| M + author's last name | Adult Mysteries | M CHRISTIE | Grouped together alphabetically by author |
| S + author's last name | Science Fiction | S ASIMOV | Grouped together alphabetically by author |
| SS + author's last name (or first word in title, if multiple authors) | Short Stories | SS POE or SS BEST |
Grouped together alphabetically by author |
| Codes for Children's materials (Juvenile) | ||
| Call Number | Description | Example |
| J + author's last name | Children's fiction | J SNICKET |
J + call number |
Children's non-fiction | J 973 UNITED |
| JB + name | Children's biography | JB TWAIN, M |
| JE + author's last name | Children's Easy Reader | JE SEUSS |
| JPB + author's last name | Children's picture book | JPB SENDAK |
| R J + call number | Children's Reference | R J909.07 MIDDLE |
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5: What does Location refer to?
Location information is used when parts of the collection are kept in seperate areas. For example, most libraries have a special location for new books (NEW) and Young Adult (YA) items. Other common location codes are PAPER for paperbacks, BIOG for biographies. Please ask at the Information Desk if you need help finding the location.
6: What if I find the title, but the catalog does not list any available items?
Check the record to see if it shows [electronic resource] after the title. If so, there will be a Website link to click on to reach the item. If not, the item may be newly purchased and not yet available in a library location. Check back in a few days.
7: How do I place a hold request using the online catalog?
To place a hold on a single item:
- From the Results List click on the blue underlined title.
- Select the hold option by clicking the Place hold(s) button on the left-hand side of the screen.
- Type your library card number and last name.
- Option: check the box to Remember my login if you plan to go back to the Catalog to look for more materials.
- On the next screen, select the library location for pick up.
- Select a date option*, or leave the default value.
- Click the Submit hold button at the bottom of the page.
- The item will be placed on hold if available for reserve.
- Your place on the hold list and how many "holdable" copies are available will be displayed.
* Date options: The system default is to leave the hold request pending for one year.
- “Not needed after” date can be changed if you want to cancel a hold before the automatic expiration date of one year ahead, e.g. you have a school assignment within the next few months and you won't need your request processed after this time. Changing the date does not guarantee that you will receive the item within a shorter time frame.
- “Not needed before” is useful to choose a future date if you don't want the item right away, e.g. you will be on vacation for a period of time or you have many requests pending and don't want to receive all of them at once.
To place holds on multiple items at one time:
- Check the items you wish to hold from the title list by clicking the box next to the titles.
- Choose the Add checked records from this page to list button under the PERSONAL LIST MANAGER heading on the left side of the screen.
- When you have your list completed, click the View Personal List button.
- When your personal list appears, click the Place holds on all items on this page button.
- Changed your mind about some of the items? Check the items you want to place on hold and click the Place holds on checked items from this page button.
8: How will I be notified when my hold request is ready?
When your hold request is available, you will receive an email that will tell you which item(s) is ready for pick-up. Or, if you have not registered for email notices, you will receive an automated phone message stating that the materials you requested are ready for pickup. If we don't have your phone number or email address, a notice will be mailed to your home address.
Notices are issued on the following weekday after an item has been checked in. Materials will be held for you on the library's hold shelf for 10 days.
9: How can I cancel a hold online?
Choose the Library Card & Account listing on the left-hand column of the Library's Home Page. Click on the Renew Items/Check Your Record link in the left-hand column. After entering your library card number and last name, you will be taken to your Patron Information Summary. Here you can view your items checked out, on hold, overdues, and any fines. If you click on the Holds link, you will be taken to your "Hold Information Summary". You can cancel a hold by clicking on the title and choosing the "Cancel this hold" button on the left hand side of the screen. A hold cannot be canceled online if it is in transit or waiting on the Hold Shelf. If your hold is already in transit, please wait until you have received notice that it is waiting for you on the Hold Shelf, and then call the pick-up library to cancel the hold. If you currently receive email notification, the email will provide a link for canceling the hold.
10: How do I search for books on Compact Disc in the catalog?
For a list of all books on CD, use the Advanced Search Page. Type "audiobooks" in the Keywords search box. Choose "Books on CD" from the Limit by media type drop down menu under Limiting options. Click the Search button. The most recent acquisitions will be listed first.
11: I need a described video for a blind friend. How do I find those in the catalog?
On the basic search page, type "video recordings for visually" in the search box, then choose Subjects from the Select a search type drop down menu. Click Search. You will be presented with a list of subjects and the number of items in each that contain these words. Click on the subject heading to be taken to a title list of items. From there you can read descriptions of the item and place holds.
13: I used the catalog and now when I try to get to the Patron Information it takes me back to the catalog! What's happening?
If you do not use the CARLweb buttons in the catalog and Patron Information to navigate through the screens, especially the Return to Library Website or Logout buttons, you may have trouble going to other sites/programs. This is temporary and usually clears up by itself after a few minutes. However, for best results when in the catalog or patron information screens, use the CARLweb buttons rather than your browser navigation buttons.
14: I have your catalog page (library card and account page) bookmarked and suddenly I can't access it anymore. What happened?
With the newest version of our online catalog, you can now view your library account within the catalog. You may bookmark this page for an entry point into the catalog.
Note: In order to get the latest version of any web page, it's important to make sure your browser is checking for the latest version and not using an old cached copy of the page. Try clearing your browser's cache and try to access the page again if you are experiencing anything unusual associated with the catalog and library account pages.