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SWAN Library Network: Library Catalog FAQ
What is SWAN?
SWAN is the name of the library's online catalog, which identifies its books, magazines, movies, music, and other materials. It tells you the following:
- whether the library owns items
- whether they are currently available for use or checkout
- where to find them in the library.
By the way, SWAN stands for System Wide Area Network.
Is Thomas Ford the only library on SWAN?
No, as of August 2007, 78 libraries belong to SWAN. Because you may use the library catalog to search all of them including Thomas Ford, you have access to over six million items with your Thomas Ford Library Card.
May I use my library card at other area libraries?
Yes, you may. Thomas Ford cards are good at all SWAN libraries.
How do I find the SWAN Catalog online?
A SWAN search box is at the top of each page of this website.
You will find the SWAN catalog at http://swan.mls.lib.il.us/search. Click on a tab to select the way you want to search: Keyword, Title, Author, or Advanced search. In the yellow box are other less popular but sometimes effective search choices. Each search box has sample searches to help you format your search.
What is the best way to search the SWAN Catalog?
There is no one best way, as there are many ways for many searchers. For you, the best way depends on what information you already know. If you know the author of a book but not the title, Author search would be your best first try; click on the Author tab. If you want items on a subject, the Keyword search is your best first try.
What is a Keyword Search?
A keyword is a word that identifies your subject. Type a likely word or words into the search box, and then SWAN finds items with that word or words in the titles, subject headings, and notes about library items.
Librarian's hint: You often get better results with more specific keywords. If you want items about heart disease, search "heart disease" instead of "health" or "medicine." Try broader or more general terms if your searches with more specific terms are unsuccessful.
Keyword search finds more items than Subject Headings search, which require the use of controlled Library of Congress subject headings (known mostly by librarians).
Instructions and samples of Keyword search may be found at http://swan.mls.lib.il.us/search/Y
What is Advanced Search?
Advanced Search lets you narrow your search with several bits of information. You may search an author's name and a keyword in the same search, and then further limit the items by format, date of publication, or language.
The Advanced Search page is an interactive form that can be found at http://swan.mls.lib.il.us/search/X
What is my SWAN library account?
Your SWAN account is an online service that lets you manage the items that you borrow from SWAN libraries. Your personal SWAN account web page does many things:
- tells you what you have borrowed and when it is due
- allows you to renew the items yourself
- tallies any fines that you owe
- shows the status of items that you have requested
- lets you request more items
- lets you keep an online reading history
- lets you rate the items you borrowed
- activate email service to tell you when requested library items arrive, remind you to return items, and notify you of fines.
If you have a library card, you have an account already.
How do I set up and access my SWAN account?
Click the My Account link on the main page of the SWAN Catalog or go to http://swan.mls.lib.il.us/patroninfo to log in.
To log in, you will need to enter your name, full library card number, and a PIN number that you create the first time you use the service.
What is a PIN?
On SWAN, PIN stands for Patron Identification Number. It is a password of between 5 and 8 characters. You may use any combination of numbers or letters in composing your PIN. Capitalization does not matter.
The first time you access the service, type the PIN number in the "Enter your PIN" box and click Submit. To verify SWAN will then ask you to type the same PIN number into two more boxes. Again, click Submit. You will not have to verify on subsequent visits to My Account.
How do I modify my PIN?
You may regularly modify your PIN if you wish. Log in to your account and click the Modify Your PIN button. Enter your old PIN in the top box, enter your new PIN in the next two boxes, and then click Submit.
What do I do if I forget my PIN number?
If you forget your PIN, ask Checkout Desk staff to erase the PIN from your record. Then you will be able to create a new PIN. From home, call 708-246-0520 and ask for the Checkout Desk.
How do I renew items from my SWAN account?
Renewing items is easy. Look at the list of your items currently checked out. Check the ones you wish to renew and then click on the Renew Selected button. The list will update to show you your new due dates.
How do I check due dates and fines on the items I have checked out?
Once you have logged in to your account, look at your list of items checked out. The third column shows your due date.
Current fines are shown in a box on the left side of your account page.
How do I request items using SWAN?
First, you must have a SWAN account set up.
Once you have the account, you may place requests or holds from any page showing which libraries own titles. At the top of the page is the Request button.
Click the button and then fill in the Request Verification form.
After filling in the form, click Submit. SWAN will then verify that the hold is placed. Library staff will contact you when the item is available for you to borrow.
How do I check the status of my requests?
To check the status of your requests, first log in to your account as described above.
When your account page appears, look in the pale yellow box to the left of your name. If you have outstanding requests, there will be a statement, such as "4 requests (holds). 2 ready for pickup." Click that statement to get a table showing your requested titles, their status, and the library at which you will pick them up.
What is the reading history on my account?
For the past several years, library users have been asking for a way to keep lists of the books that they have read. Now they may. If you choose to keep a reading history, do the following:
- Click the Reading History button on the main account page.
- Click the Start History button.
Once you have started the reading history, SWAN will add every item that you borrow. You may then delete any or all the items from the list. You may also click the Stop & Delete History button to discontinue the service and erase your history.
Please be aware that your reading history is confidential and the SWAN libraries will protect the information from unauthorized viewing. However, the records are subject to viewing by law enforcement personnel under court ordered subpoenas and the U.S. Patriot Act.
