	Volume 4, No. 1	Spring 2003

Focus on .....

Parkland Library's Computer Catalog

Whether you're a new user of Parkland Library's catalog or an "old timer," you may have had moments when you wondered "What does this blue button do?" The buttons allow you to customize your searching to fit your needs.

	As one would expect, this button returns the user to the catalog's home page. You know, the one with the blue sky over a greenish prairie.
	Self-named, this button will take the user to a list of help topics. Some of these topics (such as "Patron Review" and "Community Information") are not activated. However, you should find useful information on a variety of other features such as searching and creating bibliographies.
	The search button, again self-named, will take you to a screen where you can do a simple search of the Library's catalog by author, title, or subject.
	The browse button provides different options for searching the catalog. For instance, you can search by ISBN.
	The combination search button allows you to conduct Boolean searches. Details of Boolean searching may be found on the "Help" pages. Go ahead ... try that blue "Help" button.
	Another helpful search option is the set limits button. This allows you to limit your searching to specific Library collections. For instance, if you need a video, select "projected" in the format list. If you want to see only recent videos, put dates in the appropriate boxes. If you're only interested in feature films, add "media viewing area" in the collection list. To use this feature, set your limits before searching.
	As you search the catalog you can save the entries in a bibliography.
	When your bibliography is complete, you can review it and organize it in a variety of ways.
	The clear list button, as the name suggests, removes the current list. You can then create a different bibliography.
	If you're curious, the MARC display button allows you to see the complete cataloged bibliographic record. This MAchine-Readable Cataloging record is coded in such a manner that allows the computer to organize the data into its proper place on the monitor's screen.
	Primarily for the Library's staff use, the MARC download button allows you to download the MARC record to a file for later use.

If you've never tried any of these "blue buttons," now is a good time to see how they can help you become a smarter user of Parkland Library's catalog.

In This Issue

Practicum Experience

... Page 1

Library Catalog

... Page 2

Gulya Fehr

... Page 3

Student Art

... Page 4

"Best Picture" Videos

... Page 5

Suggestion Box