Here Are The Keys - Give Our New Catalog a Test Drive

Well, I have been hinting to you for many months now that DPPL would soon be offering you a new catalog searching experience. We are entering the final phase of testing and tweaking and some of our neighboring libraries have rolled out the new catalog. I know there are always "early adopters" of technology, so gosh, maybe some of you would like to give our new catalog a test drive?

Its brand name is BiblioCommons but we're calling it mycatalog and you can access the DPPL gateway here: dppl.bibliocommons.com

The most important thing you need to know as a new user - you'll need to spend a few minutes creating an account. It's a short, simple process because mycatalog can access much of your account information from our current catalog. You'll see the login box on the right side of the screen - type in your library card barcode number and your current password to get started.

• VERY IMPORTANT. You will need to create a screen name for yourself - choose something that is meaningful to you and easy to remember. If privacy is a concern, choose a nickname rather than your real name but PLEASE do not use your library card number as your screen name. When logging into the new catalog, you will be able to use your screen name OR your familiar library card number.
  
  
• MOST IMPORTANT. If you have been using the word "patron" is your password, you MUST CHANGE IT in this new catalog. Not doing so will create a serious security risk, so please, take it upon yourself to create a new password. If you forget your password at any time, you can reset your password via email (so add your email address to your account).

Once your account is set up, take mycatalog for a spin! Try searching, using the search box located at the top of every screen. Try placing a hold on an item. Notice that you can: create lists of books you've read, write your own comments and ratings on individual items, "follow" other users whose interests are similar to yours.

It will take some getting used to as the information displays differently than our current catalog. There are a few bugs we're working on but I thought you might enjoy a sneak preview - none of the bugs will effect your security or privacy. Once we have it perfected, we will be ready to roll it out for all of our users, but in the meantime, I would love your comments and feedback so drop me a line here to let me know what you think. Our current catalog will still be available for awhile as we make the switch and I hope to be available to you in the library at a "Help Desk" to answer your questions in person, once the change is official. Get a jump start and try mycatalog - vroom vroom!