An Introduction to Discovery: The New Catalog at the Dominican Theological Library

Beginning with the Spring 2017 semester, WorldCat Discovery Services will replace the HELIN Catalog as the way patrons can search our library’s collection. Please be aware of these important dates related to the transition: December 5 – account information will no longer be available to patrons through the HELIN catalog. Please visit the circulation desk or contact Hannah at hjones@dhs.edu or 202-495-3823 to inquire about due dates or to renew books Over Christmas break – patrons should expect to receive an email inviting them to create a password for their new library account January 1 – the new catalog will become available through the DHS library website

Accessing the Catalog

Click the “Catalog” link to begin searching our holdings. You can also click on “Online Resources” to view electronic materials available through our databases.

The basic keyword search function comes up automatically on our catalog’s homepage. Do a keyword search to find an author, title, call number, or subject. You can also click “Advanced Search” to perform more complex boolean searches. Using Advanced Search allows you to view and select which online databases are included in the search in addition to the library’s physical holdings.

NOTE: Only a portion of our electronic materials are represented in the catalog. To see a full list of the Online Resources available through the library, go to the “Online Resources” link on the DHS web site.

Viewing Search Results

Books in our library’s collection will display first in the results list, followed by books owned by other libraries. The rest of the filters at the left of the search results screen let you refine your search by format, author, year, language, and other parameters. You can change the sort order by using the “Sort by” drop-down menu, or exclude items not held in our library by using the “Library” filter.

To return to the original search results screen, click “View Filters” at the upper left. Do NOT click the browser’s “back” button – it will return you to the catalog home page. When you select an item, the search results list is preserved at the left of the screen, so you can easily scroll through and view another item.

Retrieving Materials

Click on an item to view its call number and availability.

Books that have been checked out will display their due date: Books in non-circulating collections will appear with a reminder that they cannot be checked out: Books that have been checked out will display their due date: Reference Dominicana Course Reserves Theses Special Collections Microfilm Note: The following collections are NON-circulating:

If all copies of an item are currently checked out from our library, you can place a hold on the item to ensure that you receive the next available copy. We will notify you when the item is returned, and hold it for you at the circulation desk for seven days.

Viewing My Account

Click on the link to create your password. Every patron will need to set a password the first time they access the new system. You will receive an email like this one: Click on the link to create your password. Your User Name is your barcode number. If you are using a PFIC ID that does not have the barcode number written out, please visit the circulation desk where we can look up your number for you. Please note: Library staff will not have access to your password, so please remember it!

To view your account, click “Sign In” in the upper right of the screen

Once you have signed in, click “My Account” to view your checkouts, active holds, and fines:

From this screen you can also change your password, renew books, cancel holds, and view your fees..

Course Reserves

Click the button at the upper right of the screen at any time to access course reserves Search by course name, instructor, or subject Select a course from the list of results to view the materials on reserve for that class.

Thank you for watching! If you have any further questions about using the new catalog, feel free to ask at the circulation desk!