Looking for a book? You probably already know you can search the ORL catalogue to see what we have, find out where it’s available, and place a hold. But that’s just the beginning.
The ORL’s online catalogue is powered by BiblioCommons, and it includes plenty of tools to help you search, discover, save, and keep track of books, movies, music, and more. Once you sign in with your ORL library card, you can turn the catalogue into your own personal space for exploring the collection.
Here are six things you might not know you can do.
1. Search Smarter
A simple search is often all you need. But what happens when it gives you hundreds, or even thousands, of results? That’s where filters come in.
After searching the catalogue, you can narrow your results using options such as format, audience, language, publication date, availability, and library location. Looking specifically for an audiobook? A children’s book available at your local branch? A recently published mystery? Filters can help you quickly narrow things down.
You can also sort your results in different ways, making it easier to find the newest titles or the most relevant matches.
Try it: Search for a broad topic that interests you, then use the filters to see how quickly you can turn a huge set of results into something manageable.
2. Manage Your Borrowing in One Place
Once you’re signed in, My ORL is your home base for managing your library account. You can see what you currently have checked out, check due dates, renew eligible items, and manage your holds. Instead of keeping track of everything separately, your account gives you one place to see what you have borrowed and what you’re waiting for.
It’s worth signing in even when you’re just browsing. Some of the catalogue’s most useful features become available once BiblioCommons knows which library account you’re using.
3. Save Interesting Finds for Later
Ever discover an interesting book when you already have more than enough to read? We sure have!
But you don’t have to remember the title or scribble it madly on the nearest writable surface. Instead, use My ORL to save it to your For Later shelf.
BiblioCommons gives you three shelves to help keep track of things you discover:
For Later is for books, movies, music, and other items you want to come back to.
In Progress is for what you’re currently reading, watching, or listening to.
Completed is for things you’ve finished.
Over time, your shelves can become a handy personal record of what you’ve discovered through the library. And if someone recommends a book when you already have five on the go? Add it to For Later and come back when you’re ready.
4. Discover Reading Lists
Not sure what you want? Sometimes it’s more fun to browse than search.
Throughout BiblioCommons, you’ll find lists created around genres, themes, events, interests, and all kinds of wonderfully specific topics. The ORL also regularly creates ORL Reads lists featuring titles selected by library staff.
You might find books for a particular season, resources connected to an important day or event, read-alikes for a favourite author, or a collection built around a topic you had never thought to explore. When you open the catalogue looking for one book, take a look around. You might leave with five more ideas.
5. Create a List of Your Own
You don’t have to leave all the list-making to library staff. BiblioCommons lets you create your own lists of catalogue titles. Build a collection of favourite books, make a watch list for family movie nights, gather cookbooks you want to try, or create a reading list for your next vacation.
Your list could be practical:
Books I Want to Read This Winter
Or highly specific:
Mysteries Where the Setting Is Basically Another Character
There’s also an important difference between shelves and lists. Shelves help you keep track of your own reading, watching, and listening. Lists let you collect titles together around an idea or theme.
6. Rate, Review, and Personalize
Loved a book? Give it a rating. Have something useful to say about it? Add a comment.
BiblioCommons includes community features that let readers share their reactions and discover what other library users thought about a title. Ratings, comments, lists, and other information can add another layer of discovery when you’re deciding what to try next.
You can also choose how much you want to participate. Check your account settings to manage your privacy preferences and decide what you want to share publicly. You can simply use BiblioCommons to organize your own reading, or you can join the wider community of readers using the catalogue. It’s up to you.
Your Next Search Is Just the Beginning
The ORL catalogue is there when you know exactly what you’re looking for. But it can also help when you have absolutely no idea what you want next.
Start small. Sign in to your ORL account and try one feature you haven’t used before. Save something to your For Later shelf. Explore an ORL Reads list. Rate a favourite book. Create a list of your own. Or simply experiment with the search filters and see where they take you.
You might find that searching the catalogue is only the beginning.
Need More Help?
Call us at 1-844-649-8127 or email help@orl.bc.ca. Please include as many details as you can about your question, account, or device. This helps us support you more quickly and accurately.
Library card expired? Reach out to your local branch or visit eRenew to renew your membership online. It’s quick and easy.
