Docs: Reducing line length to 80 characters in using OPAC docs

[working/Evergreen.git] / docs / opac / using_the_public_access_catalog.adoc

Using the Public Access Catalog
-------------------------------

Basic Search
~~~~~~~~~~~~

indexterm:[OPAC]

From the OPAC home, you can conduct a basic search of all materials owned by all
libraries in your Evergreen system.

This search can be as simple as typing keywords into the search box and clicking
the _Search_ button. Or you can make your search more precise by limiting your 
search by fields to search, material type or library location.

indexterm:[search box]

The _Homepage_ contains a single search box for you to enter search terms. You 
can get to the _Homepage_ at any time by clicking the _Another Search_ link from
the leftmost link on the bar above your search results in the catalogue, or you 
can enter a search anywhere you see a search box.

You can select to search by:

indexterm:[search, keyword]
indexterm:[search, title]
indexterm:[search, journal title]
indexterm:[search, author]
indexterm:[search, subject]
indexterm:[search, series]
indexterm:[search, bib call number]

* *Keyword*: finds the terms you enter anywhere in the entire record for an 
item, including title, author, subject, and other information.

* *Title*: finds the terms you enter in the title of an item.

* *Journal Title*: finds the terms you enter in the title of a serial bib 
record.

* *Author*: finds the terms you enter in the author of an item.

* *Subject*: finds the terms you enter in the subject of an item. Subjects are 
categories assigned to items according to a system such as the Library of 
Congress Subject Headings.

* *Series*: finds the terms you enter in the title of a multi-part series.

[TIP]
=============
To search an item copy call number, use <<numeric_search, _Advanced Search: 
Numeric_>> 
=============

Formats
^^^^^^^

You can limit your search by formats based on MARC fixed field type:

indexterm:[formats, books]
indexterm:[formats, audiobooks]
indexterm:[formats, video]
indexterm:[formats, music]


* *All Books*
* *All Music*
* *Audiocassette music recording*
* *Blu-ray* 
* *Braille*
* *Cassette audiobook*
* *CD Audiobook*
* *CD Music recording*
* *DVD* 
* *E-audio* 
* *E-book*
* *E-video* 
* *Equipment, games, toys*
* *Kit*
* *Large Print Book*
* *Map*
* *Microform*
* *Music Score*
* *Phonograph music recording*
* *Phonograph spoken recording*
* *Picture*
* *Serials and magazines*
* *Software and video games*
* *VHS*


Libraries
+++++++++

If you are using a catalogue in a library or accessing a library’s online 
catalogue from its homepage, the search will return items for your local 
library. If your library has multiple branches, the result will display items 
available at your branch and all branches of your library system separately.


Advanced Search
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Advanced searches allow users to perform more complex searches by providing more
options. Many kinds of searches can be performed from the _Advanced Search_ 
screen. You can access by clicking _Advanced Search_ on the catalogue _Homepage_
or search results screen.

The available search options are the same as on the basic search. But you may 
use one or many of them simultaneously. If you want to combine more than three 
search options, use _Add Search Row_ button to add more search input rows. 
Clicking the _X_ button will close the search input row.


Sort Results
^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[advanced search, sort results]

By default, the search results are in order of greatest to least relevance, see
 <<order_of_results, Order of Results>>. In the sort results menu you may select
 to order the search results by relevance, title, author, or publication date.


Search Library
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[advanced search, search library]

The current search library is displayed under _Search Library_ drop down menu. 
By default it is your library. The search returns results for your local library
only. If your library system has multiple branches, use the _Search Library_ box
to select different branches or the whole library system.


Limit to Available
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[advanced search, limit to available]


This checkbox is at the bottom line of _Search Library_. Select _Limit to 
Available_ to limit results to those titles that have items with a circulation 
status of "available" (by default, either _Available_ or _Reshelving_).

Exclude Electronic Resources
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[advanced search, exclude electronic resources]

This checkbox is below _Limit to Available_.  Select _Exclude Electronic 
Resources_ to limit results to those bibliographic records that do not have an 
"o" or "s" in the _Item Form_ fixed field (electronic forms) and overrides other
form limiters. 

This feature is optional and will not appear for patrons or staff until enabled.

[TIP]
===============
To display the *Exclude Electronic Resources* checkbox in the advance search 
page and search results, set
the 'ctx.exclude_electronic_checkbox' setting in config.tt2 to 1.
===============


Search Filter
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[advanced search, search filters]

You can filter your search by _Item Type_, _Item Form_, _Language_, _Audience_, 
_Video Format_, _Bib Level_, _Literary Form_, _Search Library_, and _Publication
Year_. Publication year is inclusive. For example, if you set _Publication Year_
Between 2005 and 2007, your results can include items published in 2005, 2006 
and 2007.

For each filter type, you may select multiple criteria by holding down the
 _CTRL_ key as you click on the options. If nothing is selected for a filter, 
the search will return results as though all options are selected.


anchor:numeric_search[]
indexterm:[advanced search, numeric search]

Numeric Search
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

If you have details on the exact item you wish to search for, use the _Numeric 
Search_ tab on the advanced search page. Use the drop-down menu to select your 
search by _ISBN_, _ISSN_, _Bib Call Number_, _Call Number (Shelf Browse)_, 
_LCCN_, _TCN_, or _Item Barcode_. Enter the information and then click the 
_Search_ button.

Expert Search
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[advanced search, expert search]

If you are familiar with MARC cataloging, you may search by MARC tag in the 
_Expert Search_ option on the left of the screen. Enter the three-digit tag 
number, the subfield if relevant, and the value or text that corresponds to the 
tag. For example, to search by publisher name, enter `260 b Random House`. To 
search several tags simultaneously, use the _Add Row_ option. Click _Submit_ to 
run the search. 

[TIP]
=============
Use the MARC Expert Search only as a last resort, as it can take much longer to 
retrieve results than by using indexed fields. For example, rather than running 
an expert search for "245 a Gone with the wind", simply do a regular title 
search for "Gone with the wind".
=============

Boolean operators
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

indexterm:[search, AND operator]
indexterm:[search, OR operator]
indexterm:[search, NOT operator]
indexterm:[search, boolean]

Classic search interfaces (that is, those used primarily by librarians) forced 
users to learn the art of crafting search phrases with Boolean operators. To a 
large extent this was due to the inability of those systems to provide relevancy
ranking beyond a "last in, first out" approach. Thankfully, Evergreen, like most
modern search systems, supports a rather sophisticated relevancy ranking system 
that removes the need for Boolean operators in most cases.

By default, all terms that have been entered in a search query are joined with 
an implicit `AND` operator. Those terms are required to appear in the designated
 fields to produce a matching record: a search for _golden compass_ will search 
for entries that contain both _golden_ *and* _compass_. 

Words that are often considered Boolean operators, such as _AND_, _OR_, and 
_NOT_, are not special in Evergreen: they are treated as just another search 
term. For example, a title search for `golden and compass` will not return the 
title _Golden Compass_. 

However, Evergreen does support Boolean searching for those rare cases where you
might require it, using symbolic operators as follows:

.Boolean symbolic operators
[width="50%",options="header"]
|=================================
| Operator | Symbol    | Example
| AND      | `&&`      | `a && b`
| OR       | `\|\|`      | `a \|\| b`
| NOT      | `-`_term_ | `a -b`
|=================================

Search Tips
~~~~~~~~~~~

indexterm:[search, stop words]
indexterm:[search, truncation]

Evergreen tries to approach search from the perspective of a major search 
engine: the user should simply be able to enter the terms they are looking for 
as a general keyword search, and Evergreen should return results that are most 
relevant given those terms. For example, you do not need to enter author's last 
name first, nor do you need to enter an exact title or subject heading. 
Evergreen is also forgiving about plurals and alternate verb endings, so if you 
enter _dogs_, Evergreen will also find items with _dog_. 

The search engine has no _stop words_ (terms are ignored by the search engine): 
a title search for `to be or not to be` (in any order) yields a list of titles 
with those words. 

* Don’t worry about white space, exact punctuation, or capitalization. 

. White spaces before or after a word are ignored. So, a search for `[ golden 
compass ]` gives the same results as a search for `[golden compass]`.

. A double dash or a colon between words is reduced to a blank space. So, a 
title search for _golden:compass_ or _golden -- compass_ is equivalent to 
_golden compass_. 

. Punctuation marks occurring within a word are removed; the exception is \_. 
So, a title search for _gol_den com_pass_ gives no result. 

. Diacritical marks and solitary `&` or `|` characters located anywhere in the 
search term are removed. Words or letters linked together by `.` (dot) are 
joined together without the dot. So, a search for _go|l|den & comp.ass_ is 
equivalent to _golden compass_. 

. Upper and lower case letters are equivalent. So, _Golden Compass_ is the same 
as _golden compass_. 

* Enter your search words in any order. So, a search for _compass golden_ gives 
the same results as a search for _golden compass_. Adding more search words 
gives fewer but more specific results. 

** This is also true for author searches. Both _David Suzuki_ and _Suzuki, 
David_ will return results for the same author. 

* Use specific search terms. Evergreen will search for the words you specify, 
not the meanings, so choose search terms that are likely to appear in an item 
description. For example, the search _luxury hotels_ will produce more 
relevant results than _nice places to stay_.

* Search for an exact phrase using double-quotes. For example ``golden compass''. 

** The order of words is important for an exact phrase search. _golden compass_ 
is different than _compass golden_. 

** White space, punctuation and capitalization are removed from exact phrases as
 described above. So a phrase retains its search terms and its relative order, 
but not special characters and not case. 

** Two phrases are joined by and, so a search for _"golden compass"_ _"dark 
materials"_ is equivalent to _golden compass_ *and* _dark materials_. 


* **Truncation**
Words may be right-hand truncated using an asterisk. Use a single asterisk * to 
truncate any number of characters.
(example: _environment* agency_)


Search Methodology
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

anchor:stemming[]

Stemming 
^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[search, stemming]

A search for _dogs_ will also return hits with the word dog and a search for 
parenting will return results with the words parent and parental. This is 
because the search uses stemming to help return the most relevant results. That 
is, words are reduced to their stem (or root word) before the search is 
performed. 

The stemming algorithm relies on common English language patterns - like verbs 
ending in _ing_ - to find the stems. This is more efficient than looking up each
search term in a dictionary and usually produces desirable results. However, it 
also means the search will sometimes reduce a word to an incorrect stem and 
cause unexpected results. To prevent a word or phrase from stemming, put it in 
double-quotes to force an exact search. For example, a search for `parenting` 
will also return results for `parental`, but a search for `"parenting"` will 
not.

Understanding how stemming works can help you to create more relevant searches, 
but it is usually best not to anticipate how a search term will be stemmed. For 
example, searching for `gold compass` does not return the same results as 
`golden compass`, because `-en` is not a regular suffix in English, and 
therefore the stemming algorithm does not recognize _gold_ as a stem of 
_golden_. 


anchor:order_of_results[]

Order of Results
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[search, order of results]

By default, the results are listed in order of relevance, similar to a search 
engine like Google. The relevance is determined using a number of factors, 
including how often and where the search terms appear in the item description, 
and whether the search terms are part of the title, subject, author, or series. 
The results which best match your search are returned first rather than results 
appearing in alphabetical or chronological order. 

In the _Advanced Search_ screen, you may select to order the search results by 
relevance, title, author, or publication date before you start the search. You 
can also re-order your search results using the _Sort Results_ dropdown list on 
the search result screen.


Search URL
~~~~~~~~~~

indexterm:[search, URL]

When performing a search or clicking on the details links, Evergreen constructs 
a GET request url with the parameters of the search. The url for searches and 
details in Evergreen are persistent links in that they can be saved, shared and 
used later.

Here is a basic search URL structure:


+++[hostname]+++/eg/opac/results?query=[search term]&**qtype**=keyword&fi%3Aitem_type=&**locg**=[location id]

locg Parameter
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This is the id of the search location. It is an integer and maches the id of the
location the user selected in the location drop down menu.

qtype Parameter
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The _qtype_ parameter in the URL represents the search type values and represent
one of the following search or request types:

* Keyword 
* Title
* Journal Title
* Author
* Subject
* Series
* Bib Call Number

These match the options in the search type drop-down box.

Sorting
^^^^^^^

The _sort_ parameter sorts the results on one of these criteria.

* `sort=pubdate` (publication date) - chronological order
* `sort=titlesort` - Alphabetical order
* `sort=authorsort` - Alphabetical order on family name first

To change the sort direction of the results, the _sort_ parameter value has the 
".descending" suffix added to it.

* `sort=titlesort.descending`
* `sort=authorsort.descending`
* `sort=pubdate.descending`

In the absence of the _sort_ parameter, the search results default to sorting by
relevance.


Search Results
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

indexterm:[search results]

The search results are a list of relevant works from the catalogue. If there are
many results, they are divided into several pages. At the top of the list, you 
can see the total number of results and go back and forth between the pages 
by clicking the links that say _Previous_ or _Next_ on top or bottom of the 
list. You can also click on the adjacent results page number listed. These page 
number links allow you to skip to that results page, if your search results 
needed multiple pages to display. Here is an example: 


image::media/catalogue-3.png[catalogue-3]

Brief information about the title, such as author, edition, publication date, 
etc. is displayed under each title. The icons beside the brief information 
indicate formats such as books, audio books, video recordings, and other 
formats. If you hover your mouse over the icon, a text explanation will show up 
in a small pop-up box. 

Clicking a title goes to the title details. Clicking an author searches all 
works by the author. If you want to place a hold on the title, click _Place 
Hold_ beside the format icons.

On the top right, there is a _Limit to Available_ checkbox. Checking this box 
will filter out those titles with no available copies in the library or 
libraries at the moment. Usually you will see your search results are 
re-displayed with fewer titles. 

When enabled, under the _Limit to Available_ checkbox, there is an _Exclude 
Electronic Resources_ checkbox.  Checking this box will filter out materials 
that are cataloged as electronic in form.

The _Sort by_ dropdown list is found at the top of the search results, beside 
the _Show More Details_ link. Clicking an entry on the list will re-sort your 
search results accordingly.


Facets: Subjects, Authors, and Series
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[search results, facets: subjects, authors, and series]

At the left, you may see a list of _Facets of Subjects_, _Authors_, and 
_Series_. Selecting any one of these links filters your current search results 
using that subject, author, or series to narrow done your current results. The 
facet filters can be undone by clicking the link a second time, thus returning 
your original results before the facet was activated. 

image::media/catalogue-5.png[catalogue-5]


Availability
^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[search results, availability]

The number of available copies and total copies are displayed under each search 
result's call number. If you are using a catalogue inside a library or accessing
a library’s online catalogue from its homepage, you will see how many copies are
available in the library under each title, too. If the library belongs to a 
multi-branch library system you will see an extra row under each title showing 
how many copies are available in all branches.


image::media/catalogue-6.png[catalogue-6]

image::media/catalogue-7.png[catalogue-7]

You may also click the _Show More Details_ link at the top of the results page, 
next to the _Limit to available items_ check box, to view each search result's 
copies' individual call number, status, and shelving location. 


Viewing a record
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[search results, viewing a record]

Click on a search result's title to view a detailed record of the title, 
including descriptive information, location and availability, current holds, and
options for placing holds, add to my list, and print/email. 

image::media/catalogue-8.png[catalogue-8]
image::media/catalogue-8a.png[catalogue-8a]

Details
~~~~~~~

indexterm:[search results, details]

The record shows details such as the cover image, title, author, publication
information, and an abstract or summary, if available.

Near the top of the record, users can easily see the number of copies that
are currently available in the system and how many curent holds are on the
title. 

If there are other formats and editions of the same work in the 
database, links to those alternate formats will display. The formats used
in this section are based on the configurable catalog icon formats.


image::media/other-formats-and-editions.png[other-formats-and-editions]

The Record Details view shows how many copies are at the library or libraries
you have selected, and whether they are available or checked out. It also
displays the Call number and Copy Location for locating the item on the shelves.
Clicking on Text beside the call number will allow you to send the item's call
number by text message, if desired. Clicking the location library link will
reveal information about owning library, such as address and open hours.

Below the local details you can open up various tabs to display more
information. You can select Reviews and More to see the book’s summaries and
reviews, if available. You can select Shelf Browser to view items appearing near
the current item on the library shelves. Often this is a good way to browse for
similar items. You can select MARC Record to display the record in MARC format. 
If your library offers the service, clicking on Awards, Reviews, and Suggested
Reads will reveal that additional information.

[NOTE]
==========
Copies are sorted by (in order): org unit, call number, part label, copy number,
and barcode.
==========



Placing Holds 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[search results, placing holds]

Holds can be placed on either title results or search results page. If the item 
is available, it will be pulled from the shelf and held for you. If all copies 
at your local library are checked out, you will be placed on a waiting list and 
you will be notified when items become available. 

On title details page, you can select the _Place Hold_ link in the upper right 
corner of the record to reserve the item. You will need your library account 
user name and password. You may choose to be notified by phone or email.

In the example below, the phone number in your account will automatically show 
up. Once you select the Enable phone notifications for this hold checkbox, you 
can supply a different phone number for this hold only. The notification method 
will be selected automatically if you have set it up in your account references.
But you still have a chance to re-select on this screen. You may also suspend
the hold temporarily by checking the Suspend box. Click the _Help_ beside it for
details. 

You can view and cancel a hold at anytime. Before your hold is captured, which 
means an item has been held waiting for you to pick up, you can edit, suspend or
 activate it. You need log into your patron <<my_account,My Account>> to do it. 
From your account you can also set up a _Cancel if not filled by_ date for your 
hold. _Cancel if not filled by_ date means after this date, even though your 
hold has not been fulfilled you do not need the item anymore.


image::media/catalogue-9.png[catalogue-9]

Permalink 
^^^^^^^^^

The record summary page offers a link to a shorter permalink that
 can be used for sharing the record with others. All URL parameters are stripped
 from the link with the exception of the locg and copy_depth parameters. Those
 parameters are maintained so that people can share a link that displays just
 the holdings from one library/system or displays holdings from all libraries
 with a specific library's holdings floating to the top.

image::media/using-opac-view-permalink.png[Permalink]


SMS Call Number
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

If configured by the library system administrator, you may send yourself the 
call number via SMS message by clicking on the *Text* link, which appears beside
the call number.

image::media/textcn1.png[]

See the *<<Sending_Copy_Details_via_Text_Message, Sending Copy Details via Text 
Message>>* section of the documentation for more information on how to use this 
feature.

[WARNING]
==========
Carrier charges may apply when using the SMS call number feature.
==========


Going back 
^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[search results, going back]

When you are viewing a specific record, you can always go back to your title 
list by clicking the link _Search Results_ on the top right or left bottom of 
the page. 

image::media/catalogue-10.png[catalogue-10]

You can start a new search at any time by entering new search terms in the 
search box at the top of the page, or by selecting the _Another Search_ or
_Advanced Search_ links in the left-hand sidebar.

anchor:my_account[]


My Account
~~~~~~~~~~

// ``First Login Password Update'' the following documentation comes from JSPAC
// as of 2013-03-12 this feature did not exist in EG 2.4 TPAC,
// so I am commenting it out for now because it will be added in the future
// see bug report https://bugs.launchpad.net/evergreen/+bug/1013786
// Yamil Suarez 2013-03-12

////


First Login Password Update 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[my account, first login password update]

Patrons are given temporary passwords when new accounts are created, or
forgotten passwords are reset by staff. Patrons MUST change their password to 
something more secure when they login or for the first time. Once the password 
is updated, they will not have to repeat this process for subsequent logins. 

. Open a web browser and go to your Evergreen OPAC 
. Click My Account 
. Enter your _Username_ and _Password_. 
  * By default, your username is your library card number. 
  * Your password is a 4 digit code provided when your account was created. If 
you have forgotten your password, contact your library to have it reset or use 
the online the section called ``<<password_reset,Password Reset>>'' tool. 
////


Logging In 
^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[my account, logging in]

Logging into your account from the online catalog: 

. Open a web browser and navigate to your Evergreen OPAC. 
. Click _My Account_ .
. Enter your _Username_ and _Password_. 
** By default, your username is your library card number.
** Your password is a 4 digit code provided when your account was created. If 
you have forgotten your password, contact your local library to have it reset or
 use the the section called <<password_reset, Password Reset>> tool. 
. Click Login.
+
** At the first login, you may be prompted to change your password. 
** If you updated your password, you must enter your _Username_ and _Password_ 
again. 
+
. Your _Account Summary_ page displays.


To view your account details, click one of the _My Account_ tabs.

To start a search, enter a term in the search box at the top of the page and 
click _Search_! 

[CAUTION]
=================
If using a public computer be sure to log out! 
=================

anchor:password_reset[]

Password Reset
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[my account, password reset]


To reset your password: 

. click on the _Forgot your password?_ link located beside the login button. 

. Fill in the _Barcode_ and _User name_ text boxes. 

. A message should appear indicating that your request has been processed and 
that you will receive an email with further instructions. 

. An email will be sent to the email addressed you have registered with your 
Evergreen library. You should click on the link included in the email to open 
the password reset page. Processing time may vary.
+
[NOTE]
=================
You will need to have a valid email account set up in Evergreen for you to reset
your password. Otherwise, you will need to contact your library to have your 
password reset by library staff. 
=================
+

. At the reset email page you should enter the new password in the _New 
password_ field and re-enter it in the _Re-enter new password_ field. 

. Click _Submit_. 

. A message should appear on the page indicating that your password has been reset. 

. Login to your account with your new password. 


Account Summary
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[my account, account summary]

In the *My Account* -> *Account Summary* page, you can see when your account
expires and your total number of items checked out, items on hold, and items
ready for pickup. In addition, the Account Summary page lists your current fines
and payment history.


Items Checked Out 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[my account, items checked out]

Users can manage items currently checked out, like renew specific items. Users
can also view overdue items and see how many renewals they have remaining for
specific item.

As of Evergreen version 2.9, sorting of selected columns is available in the
 _Items Checked Out_ and _Check Out History_ pages. Clicking on the appropriate
 column heads sorts the contents from "ascending" to "descending" to "no sort".
(The "no sort" restores the original list as presented in the screen.) The sort 
indicator (an up or down arrow) is placed to the right of the column head, as 
appropriate.

Within *Items Checked Out* -> *Current Items Checked Out*, the following column
 headers can be sorted: _Title_, _Author_, _Renewals Left_, _Due Date_,
_Barcode_, and _Call Number_.

Within *Items Checked Out* -> *Check Out History*, the following column headers 
can be sorted: _Title_, _Author_, _Checkout Date_, _Due Date_, _Date Returned_, 
_Barcode_, and _Call Number_


Holds
^^^^^ 

indexterm:[my account, holds]

From *My Account*, patrons can see *Items on Hold* and *Holds History* and
manage items currently being requested. In *Holds* -> *Items on Hold*, the 
content shown can be sorted by clicking on the following column headers:
_Title_, _Author_, and _Format_ (based on format name represented by the icon).

Actions include: 

* Suspend - set a period of time during which the hold will not become active, 
such as during a vacation 
* Activate - manually remove the suspension 
* Cancel - remove the hold request 

Edit options include: 

* Change pick up library 
* Change the _Cancel unless filled by_ date, also known as the hold expiration 
date 
* Change the status of the hold to either active or suspended. 
* Change the _If suspended, activate on_ date, which reactivates a suspended 
hold at the specified date

To edit items on hold: 

. Login to _My Account_, click the _Holds_ tab.
. Select the hold to modify. 
. Click _Edit_ for selected holds. 
. Select the change to make and follow the instructions.


Account Preferences 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

indexterm:[my account, account preferences]

From here you can manage display preferences including your *Personal 
Information*, *Notification Preferences*, and *Search and History Preferences*. 
Additional static information, such as your _Account Expiration Date_, can be 
found under Personal Information.

For example: 

* Personal Information

** change password - allows patrons to change their password

** change email address - allows patrons to change their email address.



*  Notification Preferences

** _Notify by Email_ by default when a hold is ready for pickup?        

** _Notify by Phone_ by default when a hold is ready for pickup?

** _Default Phone Number_


* Search and History Preferences

** Search hits per page

** Preferred pickup location

** Keep history of checked out items?

** Keep history of holds?


After changing any of these settings, you must click _Save_ to store your 
preferences.


indexterm:[holds, preferred pickup location]

Patron Messages
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The Patron Message Center provides a way for libraries to communicate with 
patrons through messages that can be accessed through the patron's OPAC account.
 Library staff can create messages manually by adding an OPAC visible Patron 
Note to an account.  Messages can also be automatically generated through an 
Action Trigger event.  Patrons can access and manage messages within their OPAC 
account.  See Circulation - Patron Record - Patron Message Center for more 
information on adding messages to patron accounts.

*Viewing Patron Messages in the OPAC*

Patrons will see a new tab for *Messages* in their OPAC account, as well as a 
notification of *Unread Messages* in the account summary.

image::media/message_center11.PNG[Message Center 11]

Patrons will see a list of the messages from the library by clicking on the 
*Messages* tab.

image::media/message_center10.PNG[Message Center 10]

Patrons can click on a message *Subject* to view the message.  After viewing the
message, it will automatically be marked as read.  Patrons have the options to 
mark the message as unread and to delete the message.

image::media/message_center12.PNG[Message Center 12]

NOTE: Patron deleted messages will still appear in the patron's account in the 
staff client under Other -> Message Center.