How Do I Reserve/Put a Hold on a Title?

1).  LOG INTO iBistro

 To place a hold in iBistro, you must first log into the system.

The prompt shown above will always be located on the top right hand side of the page.  Enter your library card barcode number—without spaces—in the first field, your PIN in the second field, and then click the blue “Login to the e-Library OPAC” button.

• Everyone’s who was issued a card in the old system has the same PIN number at first—CHANGEME

• Those of you who were issued a card in the new system were issued a 4 digit PIN number when you register for your card. 

• Once you are logged in, you have the option to change your password.

• If you forget your PIN once you have changed it, please see a library staff member.

2).  Search for the Item

In iBistro, as in the old system, you have the opportunity to search for items in a variety of ways.

As shown above, you may search for a particular item in all of the libraries, or you may search for items only in Somerville.  Items can be searched if you know the author, subject, title, series name, periodical title, or any other word that describes the item.

3).  Select the item, and click Details

Depending upon what you search, you may have to choose between two or more titles to request.  Several of these titles may be the same but are either in different formats or in different languages, as shown below.

You may also opt to search for the title in Google, or you may search any of the subjects that the book may be about. To see more information about any book, click Details, located directly underneath the item’s number.

4).  Place Hold

Make sure that the item listed on the details page is the same format, title, and author/artist of the item that you would like to request.  Also make sure that Somerville Public Library either doesn’t have a copy of the item, or that it is out to another patron. Click “Place Hold” which is located on the left side of the screen, directly under the word “Keep.”

Once you click “Place Hold,” you will see the information listed above.  If you would like the item to be picked up at another library, you may select it.  Otherwise, it will automatically come to you at Somerville Public Library.  Once you have decided where you would like to pick up the book, click “Place Hold” again.

 A second confirmation screen will come up, as shown above.  This verifies your Library Card Number, last name, first name, Title, and Author/Artist of the item that you requested.

5).  Log Out

You may repeat steps 1-4 if you are searching for multiple titles.  Once you are finished, make sure that you log out of your account.  It you don’t, then anyone else who searches for an item has the potential to  see both your information, and everything that you have taken out on your card

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Updated Thursday, May 08, 2008 by Ann-Marie Aymer