Searching the Catalog
Did you know the library catalog is more than just a way to search for books? It’s a powerful tool to help you discover, organize, and access material from libraries across Allegheny County. The catalog offers a seamless way to explore everything we have to offer. Here’s how you can make the most of it!
The search bar at the top of the catalog lets you dive right in and search for keyword, title, author, subject, and more! If you already know exactly what you’re looking for, this is the perfect place to begin your search. However, if your search term is too general, you may get more results than you’re expecting. Did you know that there are more than 20,000 titles that appear for science fiction!
If you find yourself overwhelmed with the results start by clicking on the blue filter results button. You can filter by location, subject, publication, and many more!
If you wanted to read a time travel book for adults that was new to the library and that you could find during your visit to the CLP Main (Oakland) library, you can filter your search to fit your needs! Adding filters for Format (book), Available Now (CLP Main (Oakland), Audience (Adult), Topic (Time travel), Content (Fiction), and New at the library (Past 180 Days) have narrowed the 20,000 titles from our first search to four books that could be checked out from Main right now!
My Account Features
Finding the perfect books, movies, and all the fantastic items from the library of things is only one function of the catalog! Your account can also be used to place material on Hold, especially important for those sought after best sellers, create Lists to share, and manage My Collections to keep track of all the books you have read, are reading, and want to read!
Hold
When logged into the catalog, you can place a hold on books and have them sent to your closest library or get in line for those competitive best sellers.
The On Hold section of your account allows you to manage your holds and see when they are ready for pick up.
Lists: Share Your Favorite Finds
Think of lists as your chance to be a curator! Create collections like Knitting Books for Beginners or Top 10 Baseball Movies to share with other library users. You can decide whether to keep your list private or share it with the world when you publish it.
Why Make Lists?
Lists help others discover amazing books, movies, and more. Examples like Best Italian Cookbooks or Movies That Changed My Life inspire and guide others, making your list a go-to resource.
Looking for some inspiration, check out some of the amazing lists created by CLP staff!
Shelves: Track Your Library Journey
Your shelves can help you keep track of everything you’re reading, watching, or planning to enjoy.
- Completed Shelf: Log everything you’ve finished so you can look back on your greatest hits.
- In Progress Shelf: Keep track of what you’re currently diving into.
- For Later Shelf: Save books, movies, and music for your future to-borrow list.
You can add to your shelves from just about anywhere in the catalog, including search results, title pages, borrowing history, and even other users’ shelves or lists. With shelves, staying organized has never been so simple—or fun!
Start exploring today and make your catalog account work for you!