Website Navigation – Oakland Public Library

Where can I see books checked out, books on hold, etc.?

emilyphillips — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 22:17:15 +0000

You can find this information under My OPL in the top right corner of every page. The login button does look different on the new site. Rather than “My Account,” the button is labeled “Log In / My OPL”. It still appears in the upper right corner of every page. On a smaller device it will appear as a dark blue bar in the upper right corner of the screen.

You will need to  create a BiblioCommons account  to perform catalog functions on the new site—it’s quick, easy, and private, and BiblioCommons does not share your personal information.

Why do I need to register for a BiblioCommons account?

emilyphillips — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 22:11:33 +0000

Registration is important for patrons, the library and the service provider, BiblioCommons. For the patron:

Registration allows you create an easy-to-remember username you can use to log in, so you don’t have to type your barcode every time you want to check your account. However, if you've memorized your barcode and want that to be your username it can be!
Registration also allows you to get personalized recommendations and contribute ratings and reviews.

For your library and for BiblioCommons:

It is good practice (and often a legal responsibility) to communicate what information is collected and how that information will be used. By registering, a patron signals that she or he understands these policies and grants permission to store and use personal information as noted.
Registration also gives the library and BiblioCommons an opportunity to clearly address some key questions about how the service works, such as the responsibilities of the user, licensing arrangements for user content and other content on the site, safety issues, and the use of the site by children.

How do I renew my items?

emilyphillips — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 22:10:48 +0000

Navigate to My Library Dashboard from the drop-down menu under your username, and then click Checked Out. Once you are on your Checked Out page, use the checkboxes to select the desired titles and then click Renew.

Why can’t I search my Borrowing History?

emilyphillips — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 21:43:36 +0000

Unfortunately, because borrowing history is accessed in real-time from the ILS, BiblioCommons's ability to add this search functionality is limited. They recommend patrons move titles from their Borrowing History to their Completed Shelf in batches (can be done page-by-page by selecting all). Patrons can then sort and search for titles within their Completed Shelf. We acknowledge that this can be a time-consuming process, but worth it!

Where is the catalog search bar?

emilyphillips — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 21:41:24 +0000

In the upper right of any page on our site, you’ll see “Search the Catalog” and a search box. On a smaller screen or smart phone there will be a magnifying glass icon instead of a search box. The new website uses a "smart search." You can simply type in what you’re looking for, i.e. "new audio books by John Stanford" and press search. You can utilize filters on the next page to refine your search. These will be on the left hand side of your screen.

What happened to the My Account feature?

emilyphillips — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 21:37:35 +0000

The login button does look different on the new site. Rather than “My Account,” the button is labeled “Log In / My OPL”. It still appears in the upper right corner of every page. You will need to  create a BiblioCommons account  to perform catalog functions on the new site—it’s quick, easy, and private, and BiblioCommons does not share your personal information.