Library News and Events

Text Message to Your Cell Phone

Would you like an alternative to writing down titles, call numbers, or book locations from the library catalog? Now you can send that information to your cell phone via text message. Each catalog record now sports a "Send via Text Message" button; simply click on it to start the process. This service works on Cingular/AT&T, Sprint, Nextel, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Verizon, and Virgin. Be careful! Carrier charges may apply.

Discover More Sources Through 'Tags' and 'Similar Books'

We're also pleased to announce two new creative methods for finding material in the catalog. On many records you'll now see Tags and Similar Books. Complementing the Subjects section of catalog records, Tags are hyperlinked labels used to categorize books. Clicking on one will lead you to other titles with the same Tag, sometimes with serendipitous results! Similar Books are additional suggestions of titles that might interest you. Both features are brought to you by LibraryThing, a Portland, ME-based company.

Quicker Access to Cast-A-Net

Users of Cast-A-Net now will find a shortcut to that unique service. A new tab has been placed near the top of the Library's homepage that provides a direct search of subject categories. Cast-A-Net is still also available on research-by-subject pages.

Not familiar with Cast-A-Net? Instead of searching databases one-by-one, each presenting you with a different interface, Cast-A-Net allows you to search multiple databases within a subject through a single interface. The Advanced Search mode allows you to search more than one subject at a time, or to mix and match subjects and databases. Cast-A-Net is an excellent tool for finding sources because of its wide coverage.

Note: each of the Library's databases has its own set of unique search tools and features that may not be available through the Cast-A-Net service. With that in mind, we recommend that if you are conducting thorough research on a topic, first identify relevant databases by using Cast-A-Net, then switch to the "native" interface of those databases.