Monmouth College Hewes Library how do i?

How Do I? Use the New Hewes Library Catalog

The sections below are designed to help you use the new Hewes Library Catalog and manage Your Account at the library. If you find that your question is not answered here, stop by the the Main Level of the library or give us a call at 309.457.2190.

This webpage will go over:


Searching the New Hewes Library Catalog

    Using Quick Search

    • Allows you to: do an Any Word Anywhere search, focus an Any Word Anywhere search using quotes, read the record for an individual item in I-Share, and use subject headings to find materials on an exact topic.
    • Quick Search screen is the default starting point for the shared catalog. Take note that the banner at the top will tell you which library catalog you are searching.
    • This default search will search all search words you enter in all fields. To narrow for a specific subject, place quotes around your search words before pressing Enter.
    • Individual item titles appear at the beginning of each item record, along with a relevance ranking, item status, call number, and year the item was published.
    • Click on individual titles to retrieve individual records. In the individual item record, publication information is listed at the top of the record (title, author, publisher, year, etc.) as well as holdings information (item location, call number, status, etc.).

    Searching by Title, Author, and More

    • To search for a specific title, enter the search terms in the search box and apply the Title limit from the "Search by" limit box to retrieve your title search.
    • Author searches work exactly the same. Apply the Author limit from the "Search by" limit box and enter your search terms.

    Searching Tips

    • Using plus (+) signs in front of terms ensure that the words immediately following the symbols are included in all of our results. For example, the search +folklore +“native Americans” will retrieve results on both Folklore and Native Americans.
    • The Quick Limits menu, located below the search box, allows you to limit results to one particular format or date range.
    • The More Limits button, in the lower right area of the screen, allows you more limiting options and enables you to apply multiple limits. You can apply more than one limit to a search; for example, you can limit the language, location, or a date range. Remember, these limits stay in effect from search to search until you remove them.

Searching the I-Share Catalog & Universal Borrowing (UB)

    Searching the I-Share Catalog

    • Searching the I-Share Catalog is the same as searching the Hewes Library Catalog. The search interfaces are the same and the same search strategies apply. Please see the instruction above.
    • The Hewes Library Catalog search interface is khaki and green while the I-Share Catalog search interface is colored purple and silver.

    Universal Borrowing (UB)

    • To take advantage of Universal Borrowing, you need be in the I-Share Catalog.
    • Perform your search just as you would any other item in the Hewes Library Catalog.
    • Once you have found the item you would like to request, make sure that you have the individual item record displayed.
    • In the individual item record, take a look at the menu bar at the top and select the "Request" button from the menu.
    • You will be prompted to login into your Account (if you are not already). You will need to enter (1) your home library, (2) your MC barcode (from your ID card), and (3) your last name.
    • Once logged in, the next screen will ask you to request the first available copy.
    • At the request screen, you will need to re-enter your MC barcode (for security purposes) and then press enter.
    • A screen will appear to notify you that your request was successfully submitted.
    • After requesting the item, you can check your Account page to check the status of the item that you requested from a lending library.

    UB Transactions

    • Please remember that requests made through the I-Share Catalog are UB transactions. These UB transactions are agreements made between the patron and the LENDING library.
    • The patron is responsible to the lending library's policies on borrowing, late fees, and lost items. Even if your home library does not charge fines or fees, the lending library may have policies for late or lost items. The patron is responsible for any fines or fees that may develop.

Managing your Library Account

    To login to your Library Account

    • Open the Hewes Library Catalog
    • Click on "Renew Books/My Account" at the top menu
    • Enter your Borrower ID (which is your MC barcode not ID number)
    • Enter your last name and hit Login.
    • After logging in, your account will be available to renew items or check the status of your UB requests.

    Library Account Features

    • Section 1: Personal Information This includes your personal contact information. Please notify your home library if this information changes.
    • Section 2: Patron Blocks If your account has any blocks, due to lost or overdue items, you will be notified here. Please return lost or overdue items to remove these blocks on your account. Blocks will prevent you from renewing items online in your account. In case of excessive overdue or lost items, lending libraries can block patrons from requesting further items until the patron's account has been cleared.
    • Section 3: Items Checked Out This section lists every item that a patron has checked out and from which school. Items titles, the type of items, due date, and renewal options can be found here.
    • Section 4: Request Information Pending requests are listed here, along with their status. You also have the ability to cancel a request before it has been completed and sent to your home library.
    • Section 5: Fines and Fees If you have fines and fees attached to your account, they will be listed here.

WorldCat & Inter-Library Loan (ILL)

Please remember to look for materials in the Hewes Library Catalog and the I-Share Catalog BEFORE requesting materials through WorldCat and ILL. Thank you.

Human resources

Hopefully, the tutorials above will help you to get started in your research. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact us at the library, 309.457.2190.

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