Understand Book River

What is the Book River?  The Book River is the way into the entrance of the PAC system for most libraries.  There are two different views of the Book River which are described below.  
Note:  Some libraries do not have the home page setup to the Book River, therefore, you will not be able to utilize this option.  

The first view is shown in the example below.  Book jackets with reflections will be shown, appearing to 'float'.

A list of available options from this Book River view follows, shown in the example above:

1. • Limit or expand your results by locations.

1. • Perform a simple search or an advanced search.

1. • Browse by genre.

1. • Utilize the Search Suggestions feature.

   • Access your lists, saved searches, and account information by clicking Log On.

   • Access the Online Help for assistance about a specific task.

   • Access additional links provided by your library, if applicable.

The second view is shown in the example below.  Book jackets appear to be stationary and slide a group of titles at a time.

A list of available options from this Book River view follows, located on the far right panel, shown in the example above:

1. • Perform a search.

   • Access your account information.

   • Browse by genre.

1. • Access the Online Help for assistance about a specific task.

      

Depending on your library, you may even see additional options.  Click the link to discover more opportunities provided by your library.   

Did you know from either Book River view you can place your mouse over the book jackets?  When you place your mouse over the book jacket a pop-up appears as shown in the example below.

The pop-up provides the following information and their description:

• Title of the item

• by:  This is the author of the item.  

• Collection:  This is the section where the item will be found in the library.

• Call #:  This number is assigned by the library, showing the first available copy.  This information will help you determine where to locate the item on the book shelf.   

• Year: This is the year the item was published.

• Format symbol:  This symbol represents the format of the item.  Placing your mouse over the symbol displays the name of the format in text.
  For example, ,  , , , .

• Availability status symbol: A solid green circle in the upper-right corner means the item is available.  A solid red circle in the upper-right corner means the item is not currently available at this time.

• Amazon:  In some cases, depending on your library, Image by: amazon.com displays.  Click amazon.com to go directly to the amazon.com Web site.

• Details:  Click this button to view additional information.  You can also click the book jacket.  You will be redirected to the Details page, as shown in the example below.  

Depending on your library's configurations, below are a few of the options of what you can do from the Details page:

1. • Check availability

   • Place a request

   • Add a tag

   • View the number of check outs and pending requests

   • Find the book on the shelf by using the library map

   • Read and write reviews

   • View the average borrower rating

   • Add item to a list

   • Initiate a search by the author, series, or listed subjects

   • Find similar and related books

For more options on the Details page, see View Title Details.  

• Request:  Click this button to place the item on request. Some libraries will display Hold instead of Request.
  Note:  Depending on your library's setup, this option may not be available at this time or the Request button might only be displayed if the item is currently checked out.  Therefore, you would not be allowed to place a request for available items located on the shelf. For more information on placing requests, see Place Item on Request.

• Map:  Click this button to locate this item on the library map.  Depending on your library's setup, if Map is not shown you will not be able to utilize this option.
  Tip:  First, verify the item is available by seeing if there is a solid green circle located on the upper-right corner of the pop-up.  For more information on using the Map option, see Locate Item on Bookshelf.

• Save checked item(s) to a list button:  Click this button to save this item to the My Lists drawer to export into a Bibliography format, subscribe to a News Feed, or for future reference.  For more information on this option, see Save Lists.

Warning!  The Request and Save checked item(s) to a list buttons above require you to be logged on.  If you are not currently logged on, a log on dialog box prompts for your credentials.  Type your Library ID/PIN or User Name/Password credentials.  If you forgot your credentials, or need information on how to access your account, see Log On.  If you do not have an account, register for a temporary library card or see your librarian to set one up.