The National Art Library recently moved to a new online library catalogue, more information can be found here. This blog series will highlight some of the new features built into the platform to give users integrated keyword searching of online content and print holdings into one search box, tracking and email notifications of item requests and much more.
Tracking your item requests
In the old library catalogue, a registered user could place item requests but had no way to track these orders and didn’t receive any notification from the system when items were waiting on reservation at the National Art Library. This was problematic for anyone who was travelling from far away to access the National Art Library’s collection and the system didn’t allow for any integrated cancellations or edits to requests.
The new library catalogue allows for all these functions. Once you have created an account and placed an item request, you can log into your account through the library catalogue and track your orders.
All item requests are termed ‘holds’ in the system.
Once logged into your account, you will see a list of all item requests you have placed. Until these are processed by library staff, you will be able to either cancel or edit the date for which you want to consult each item at the library.
Once each item has been processed by library staff, you will see a change in your library account view. The options to remove or edit will be replaced with a message informing you that your items are ready for you at the National Art Library.
You will also receive a message via email as well, to let you know this information. These emails are parked for distribution on the hour, so for real-time checking of item request status, navigate directly to your online library account, as demonstrated above.
We hope you found this post useful and we will be posting more ‘new feature’ insights via this blog over the next couple of months. If you have any feedback to share concerning the design of the new library catalogue, please use the ‘Feedback’ link found at the bottom of each library catalogue webpage.
However, if you have a direct question for the National Art Library, please contact us directly, here.
