WebPALS Features

Searching

Patrons can search the online catalog, reference files, and indexes
Both basic and advanced searching are available:
- Basic searching
  - Should meet most patrons' needs
  - Makes available the most commonly used search commands
- Advanced searching
  - Gives more options for advanced users
  - All search commands are available
  - Includes the ability to browse the indexes
If patrons are accessing WebPals from a library or campus, WebPals sets that library as the default for searching; otherwise WebPals sets all Pals libraries as the default for searching. Patrons can override the search library when they select the file to search or whenever they do a new search.

Limiting Search Results

Patrons can do all limiting from one page
WebPals remembers the limits that have been done, so if a patron re-limits, previous limits are still there
Patrons can limit search results using the following options:
- By including additional words (same as AND and NOT)
- By publication year (same as LT, GT, or EQ)
- By format (same as FO)
- By collection, online catalog only (same as SH)
- By language, online catalog only (same as LA)

Displaying Search Results

When patrons display a record, the name of the library or libraries that own the item displayed on all screens
If an item is available at a library other than the default library, WebPals gives the option to submit an ILL request for the item
If an item belongs to the default library but is not available, WebPals gives the option to place a hold on the item
When an item is held by multiple libraries, patrons can display each library's record
Navigation buttons help patrons move through item lists and individual records
Records have hypertext links so that with one click patrons can:
- Browse by the call number
- Search for other titles by the author
- Search for other titles with the same subject
- Search for other titles in the same series
- Follow URL's from the 856 field
- Follow URL's from the Document URL field for reserves
Patrons can display the Long and MARC versions of a record
Patrons can email search results and full text articles to their mailboxes

Displaying Patron Information

Patrons can display items and titles linked to their patron record
Patrons can display a summary of their patron record
Patrons can renew items that are checked out
Patrons can cancel ILL requests

Displaying Library Information

Patrons can display a library's monthly calendar with hours of operation
Patrons can display a library's quarter or semester dates
Patrons can display a library's default settings
Patrons can display a library's circulation class information for patrons and items
Patrons can display library statistics
Patrons can display file size statistics

If you have questions about accessing the Online Dakota Information Network (ODIN) or about using ODIN resources, contact your local ODIN reference librarian.

Send comments about WebPALS design to the WebPALS Development Team