How do I...?

Search for Items

Visit http://ipac.orl.bc.ca

Enter your search term in the Quick library search box, or click on the Search tab for more options. The options available under the search tab include:

• Browse:  browse by title, author, subject, or series
• Advanced:  combine search terms, such as title and author, or multiple keyword/subject terms
• Exact:  useful for one-word titles such as ‘Help’, ‘Time’, or ‘It’
• Phrase:  searches for a phrase entered as a search term (e.g. ‘stitch in time’)

You can also…

Choose a Search by option to restrict your search to a specific field, such as title, author, or subject.

Choose a Limit by option to limit your search to what’s available to borrow now, or to a particular format, such as DVD, eBook, or CD

Locate an Item?

When you have run a search and have a list of results, click on the Availability button for any item in which you are interested.  This will list the library branches that have the item, status (e.g. Checked In, Checked Out), and the call number.  You can also click on Full Display from the search results list to find location information.

See What’s Available to Borrow Now?

On the search screen, click on Limit By, select Available Now, and click Go!.

See the Number of Hold Requests on a Title?

From your list of search results, click on the Full Display button.   The total number of requests on that title will be listed next to the Current Holds label, found above the Availability header.

Request a Title?

You can place a request on an item if it is on loan or at another library branch.  From your list of search results, click on the Place Request button.  You may be prompted to log in with your library card number and PIN code.   You can then choose at which library branch you would like to pick up the item.

Suspend a Hold?

If you would like the request to be filled at a later date, you can schedule when you want your request to become active by entering a date in the Activation Date field when placing a hold. 

For holds you have already placed, you can go to Requests in My Account, select the title you want to suspend, and click on the Suspend button.

Renew a Title?

Click on My Account, and then select Items Out.  You may be prompted to log in with your library card number and PIN code.   Once logged in, you will see a list of items you have checked out.  

A checkbox will be displayed to the left of the title if it can be renewed.  Check the box for each title you want to renew, and click on the Renew button at the bottom of the screen. 

Note: you cannot renew titles that have been requested by other customers.

Keep a List of Items I’ve Borrowed?

Click on My Account and select Account Details.  You may be prompted to log in with your library card number and PIN code.   Click on the Contact Information and Preferences option. A checkbox for Maintain Reading List is available near the bottom of the screen. Click Submit Change Request.

A list of items you have borrowed will be kept for 5 years, from the time you check that box.

Keep a List of Titles?

Item lists can be maintained in your account. You will see Add to My List displayed next to each item when you searching the catalogue. 

You have the option of keeping a temporary working list, or saving titles to a permanent list.  

To save items to a list, log in with your library card number and PIN code. Click on the Add to My List button, you will see option to save items to a new list, or save to an existing list.

These lists can be printed, emailed, or saved to a computer.