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 Main Level of the library or give us a call at 309.457.2190.

This webpage will go over:


Brief Introduction

In the summer of 2007, the Hewes Library officially joined as a member of the I-Share Catalog of the Consortia of Academic and Research Libraries of Illinois (CARLI). The I-Share Catalog is a catalog that contains bibliographic records of 71 academic, research, and high-profile public libraries across the state. CARLI manages the I-Share catalog and it aims to provide access to a variety of sources for patrons at any of the I-Share member libraries. Now that Hewes Library is a member of the I-Share Catalog, Monmouth College students, faculty, and staff have access to the resources available in the I-Share Catalog.

For returning MC patrons, this means a few changes in the ways you commonly conduct research.

Your NEW three step research process should proceed as follows:

  1. Start your search in the Hewes Library Catalog for materials
  2. Progress to the I-Share Catalog (link available inside the Hewes Library Catalog)
  3. AFTER SEARCHING BOTH THE HEWES LIBRARY CATALOG AND THE I-SHARE CATALOG, PROCEED TO WORLDCAT TO REQUEST MATERIALS VIA ILL.

Searching the New Hewes Library Catalog

The new Hewes Library catalog provides the same information as the previous catalog; books, DVDs, and other library materials and their statuses are available in the catalog. To familiarize yourself with the searching capabilities of the Hewes Library Catalog and the I-Share Catalog, watch a tutorial here.

Searching features include:

  • Quick Search by any word anywhere, title, author, journal/magazine title, subject, or call number.
  • Advanced Search with more than one search feature, Boolean operators, and search term proximity.
  • Dual I-Share Searches give you the ability to repeat a search in the larger I-Share Catalog.

Once you have watched the tutorial, take a look at the Hewes Library Catalog. If you were unable to locate the item you were looking for, please try the I-Share Catalog to request it from a member institution.

If you can not watch the tutorial, a brief set of written instructions are also available.

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

The I-Share Catalog searches the holdings of all 71 member libraries at the same time. As Monmouth College students, faculty, and staff, you have the ability to request materials from other member libraries through the I-Share catalog. You can also check the status of these items, renew online, and view any applicable fines and fees. Essentially, you are a patron at all 71 libraries. Your materials will be delivered to Hewes Library to pick up in person. In the I-Share Catalog, a request from a patron of school A to the library of school B is called Universal Borrowing. You can watch a tutorial here to learn about Universal Borrowing and I-Share.

When you begin a request for an item from another I-Share library, it is a transaction between YOU and the LENDING library. You are subject to the LENDING library's policies and if fines or fees incur, you are responsible to that library. Hewes Library can NOT intercede on your behalf.

If you can not watch the tutorial, a brief set of written instructions are also available.

Managing your Library Account

The new Hewes Library Catalog and the I-Share Catalog allow you to manage your own library account. Your library account is available through both the Hewes Library Catalog and the I-Share Catalog. You will need to login using your MC BARCODE on your ID card. You will be able to:

  • See what items you have checked out from your home and lending libraries
  • Renew items online from your home library and any lending libraries
  • View any fines or blocks that may be placed on your account

You can watch a tutorial here.

If you can not watch the tutorial, a brief set of written instructions are also available.


Significant Changes Patrons Should Be Aware Of

  • It is very important to be aware of your library account. You can login anytime using your MC BARCODE found on your ID card.
  • Due to Universal Borrowing privileges, a book borrowed from a LENDING library is subject to the LENDING libraries' policies. For example, Hewes Library does not charge MC students, faculty, and staff late fees. However, if you borrow a book from WIU or SIU (or any other school) you are subject to their policies. Check your library account to avoid overdue, lost, or replacement fees.
  • Monmouth College and/or Hewes Library can NOT intercede on your behalf for lost or late materials owed to other institutions.
  • Only after you have searched the Hewes Library Catalog and the I-Share Catalog, should WorldCat become a ILL option.

WorldCat & Inter-Library Loan (ILL)

WorldCat and traditional ILL will still be available to all MC patrons. However, PLEASE ensure that you have checked to see that the item is NOT available from the Hewes Library Catalog or the I-Share Catalog BEFORE you place an ILL request. WorldCat is still available from the Databases page of the Hewes Library website.

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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