New Catalogue Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Library change its online catalogue?

The Library implemented the current web catalogue in 2005. The new catalogue provides a more stable system for patrons to manage their Library accounts and materials, while offering a number of new features, not previouly available. As technologies change and improve, the Library feels it is important to make these improvements available to our patrons by offering the best online services possible.

What are the major changes?

The new catalogue offers improvements in searching and navigation, 'My Account' and 'My Lists', and superior social networking features.

With New Searching and Finding Features, you can:

• Quickly find what you want with 'relevancy' ranked search results. As in Google, the top page of results in the new catalog should be the most likely titles you are looking for.
• Enter general search words naturally, and get results you expect (e.g., 'chinese dvds', 'new teen books', or 'new movies')
• Drill down into your search results using multiple limits
• Undo those limits based on what you get back
• Limit your results to just what is on the shelf at any location or at a specific library
• Search tags or lists created by Library patrons
• Print lists in a format that saves paper
• See Amazon-like auto suggest when pausing after entering part of a search (author and subject searches)

With New or Improved 'My Account/My Lists' features, you can:

• Opt-in to save a 'recently returned' list of items you have borrowed
• Create a username to use in place of your library card number
• Create 'for later' lists
• See a list of your expired and cancelled holds
• Change your default pickup location yourself
• Add up to 2 more 'favorite locations' for priority display of copy information
• Add titles to your lists that are not in the catalog
• More reliable unsuspending/resuspending of holds

With new 'Social networking' features, you can:

• Create tags(by genre, tone, theme or make up your own tags), reviews or add comments
• Rate titles
• Add links to videos for any title (great for movie trailers, author readings, etc.)
• Suggest and see similar titles
• See what recommended lists that a title appears in
• Follow other users with similar tastes and collect recommendations for items to check out
• Ignore patrons you don't want to follow or see comments from
• Send messages to other users with similar interests within the catalogue

What hasn't changed?

All of the features available on the current web catalogue are still available, such as:

• Search GVPL's catalogue
• Place Holds
• Manage borrowed materials (Due Dates, Late Fees, Renewals)
• Maintain your Reading History
• Star Rating

What is BiblioCommons?

Our new catalogue is powered by BiblioCommons, a Canadian company that supplies catalogue software with strong social networking features to a number of large public libraries in Canada, the United States and Australia/New Zealand.

BiblioCommons' goal is to transform the traditional static library catalogue by incorporating social networking features that let library users contribute information to the catalogue and interact with each other. They identified features that are used on successful modern websites and incorporated them into their library catalog interface. Their new catalogue features a smarter search engine that returns better results ranked by relevancy, and its sleek, modern interface provides easy ways to narrow or expand searches and browse for related items.

The "Commons" in BiblioCommons' name refers to the new catalogue's wealth of social and community networking features that include interactive options for adding reviews, tags and ratings, and sharing favorite items on Facebook or Twitter. Users can create lists that they can make private or share, and can follow other users with similar tastes. The "Commons" currently includes over 450,000 registered users at libraries in Canada and the United States, and continues to grow as new libraries implement BiblioCommons' online catalogue.

How can I provide feedback about the catalogue?

You can provide feedback on the website or catalogue by emailing: Webservices@gvpl.ca

How do I search the catalogue?

The catalogue search bar is integrated into the new website. You can search the catalogue from anywhere on the website just by typing in your search criteria.

Can I still use the old catalogue?

The old catalogue will be available to use for a short time to help ease the transition to the new catalogue.

What about privacy?

BiblioCommons is a Canadian company and is fully compliant with the BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Click here for more information on the privacy of the catalogue.

Where do I find the New Arrivals List?

The New Arrivals list is available here. This list is now updated daily instead of once a week.

How can I find out more on how to use the new catalogue?

See the Catalogue Help pages for more information. You can also contact us via our online chat service, Ask Now or by email or phone.