FAQs

• Can groups of users assign and edit BobCat tags?

  Technically, no; this can only be done from an individual user account

• Can I add an e-book link to Blackboard?

  Yes, you can get e-book links to add to course pages. To get a link:

  1. Search BobCat to see if we have the e-book
  
  
  2. In BobCat, click on the "Available(GetIt)" link, or the Check for Availability link. If the book is available electronically, it will be noted in the "Electronic Version via:" section of the page
  
  
  3. On the top right of this page (before you click through to access the e-book) you'll see a URL.
  
  
  4. Copy and paste this URL into your Blackboard course page for your students to access. This link will allow them to access the e-book on or off-campus
  
  
  
  

• Can I save records of items found in BobCat?

  Yes, on the GetIt screen you'll see the heading "Export Tool," under which options to Export to RefWorks, Send to Phone, or Email appear. Each of these options will allow you to save the records you've found.

• Can I search BobCat using Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, and Korean script?

  Yes. This is the first time we have been able to do this in BobCat, and we are still working on improving various aspects of this function. But there are some important things you need to know about the results you get when you search BobCat using these scripts. Most important, some non-Roman resources in the library do not have script in their BobCat records, so a search using script may not find every single non-Roman resource containing your search term. Always double-check your results by redoing your search using transcribed Romanization (for example, type nihon for 日本), the way you have always had to in BobCat.

• Can I search by call number in BobCat?

  You can search by call number in the new BobCat. You must use spaces in between a number and a letter where a dot is lacking, but no spaces in between dots and letters or dots and numbers.
  For example, QC981. 8. C5 G38 2008 should be key in exactly so: QC981.8.C5 G38 2008 (i.e., space b/n 5 and G, and b/n 8 and 2, only). Capitalization of letters doesn't matter. And, because call numbers are generally unique, you can usually find the right record in one shot by searching it anywhere in the record.

• Does the "course reserves" tab in BobCat include electronic reserves material?

  Yes, you may link to electronic reserves material directly from Bobcat records.

• How are BobCat tags different from bookmarks and favorites in my browser?

  Think of BobCat Tags an an enhanced version of your bookmarks but with these differences:** Tags are available from any computer that connects to BobCat, unlike personal bookmarks which reside on only one computer
  Tagging is a social discovery system: You can see what Tags other users have added, and you can contribute your own Tags to the community pool.

• How can I create a link to the GetIt window? I'd like to use it on my BlackBoard course page.

  A permanent link to the GetIt screen appears in the upper right corner of the GetIt window. Example: URL: http://getit.library.nyu.edu/go/xxxx

• How can I search only for material at a consortium library, such as the New York Historical Society?

  In order to search for material at a specific institution, it is necessary to access Bobcat via that institution's website. For example, to search for material at the New York Historical Society, go to http://www.nyhistory.org, then follow the link to the library, then to "catalogs and finding aids," in order to access the NYHS Bobcat interface. This is true for The New School, Cooper Union, and all of the other consortium libraries. You can find links to the consortium libraries' websites here

• How do I edit or delete a BobCat tag?

  You must be signed in to My Library Account.

  -Open the link, Tags (upper right bar of BobCat screen).
  -Check the box, My Tags Only.
  -Open the link for the Tag you want to edit or delete.
  -Open the link, View Details.
  -Under Tagging (center right) open the link, Assign/remove tags.
  -Edit the Tag inside the oblong box, or uncheck the Tag on the list to de-link it from the item.
  -To edit or delete a Tag from multiple items, repeat the steps above for each item.

• How do I email multiple records to myself?

  To email an individual record: From within the item record, go to the "Keeping This Item" area, and click on Email.
  
  To email multiple records at one time: From your results list, select the items that you would like to email. These will be saved to your e-Shelf. You can then go to your e-Shelf, select your items, and export to print, email, EndNote Web or RefWorks.
  

• How do I export citations to RefWorks and other citation management tools?

  To export an individual record: From within the item record, go to the "Keeping This Item" area, and select RefWorks or EndNote Web from the pull-down menu.
  
  
  To export multiple records at a time:
  
  From your results list, select the items that you would like to export. These will be saved to your e-Shelf. You can then go to your e-Shelf and export records to RefWorks or EndNote Web.
  
  
  

• How do I find an e-book in BobCat?

  After performing a search, you'll see a list of categories to the right of the search results. If we have electronic copies of the item, there will be a link to "online resources." Click on this link to access the e-book.
  
  If a book is available electronically, users can simply click the "Online Access (GetIt)" button. The book will open up in a new window.
  

• How do I find audio in BobCat?

  
  
  1. Go to BobCat
  
  
  2. Limit to: audio and enter in your search terms
  
  
  3. Your results will include only audio recordings
  
  

• How do I find books in BobCat?

  This brief video gives you an overview of how to find books in BobCat:
  How to find a book (flash video file)

• How do I find videos in BobCat?

  
  
  1. Go to BobCat:
  
  
  2. Limit to video and enter in your search terms:
  
  
  3. Your results will include only videos:

• How do I get more help?

  For additional assistance with questions and research:
  
  
  -Ask a Librarian in person, via phone, email, IM, or text message.
  
  -Take a class
  
  -Watch a quick instructional movie on using BobCat
  
  

• How do I get the item I want when it says it's On the Shelf?

  Confirm the location of your item. For a complete list of all locations and their addresses, click on the "Location" link in BobCat. Make note of the call number, and go to the floor of the library on which your book is shelved.
  
  For the complete Bobst Call Number Location Guide, click on the title "Call Number" in BobCat. If you cannot find the book, check the book sorting room where most of the time you will find a staff person who will give additional assistance.
  

• How do I save searches?

  In order to save searches, you'll need to sign into your e-Shelf . Once you have signed into your e-Shelf, conduct your search. You'll then see an option to "Save Query" in the upper-right hand area of the results screen. You'll then be given an option to Save your search so that you can run it again at a later time, or create an alert. If you create an alert, you'll periodically receive emails containing updated search results.

• How do I search BobCat?

  See BobCat Tutorials. Remember, the BobCat catalog has much more than books -- it searches for music, government documents, electronic journals, children's literature, and many other items.

• How do I search for a specific BobCat tag?

  Method 1:
  

  • Open the link, Tags (upper right bar of BobCat screen).
  
  
  • Enter one or more keywords in the box under Search Tags.
    
    You will only get a result if a Tag containing your keyword(s) has already been assigned.
  
  Method 2
  
  • 
    In the tile, Search for (upper left of the BobCat screen), in the third drop-down after Limit to:, change "Anywhere in record" to "In user tags."
  
  
  • Enter one or more keywords in the box above.
  
  
  • You will only get a result if a Tag containing your keyword(s) has already been assigned
  
  

• How do I search for music scores in BobCat?

  
  
  1. Go to BobCat:
     
  
  
  
  2. Limit to: score and enter in your search terms
  
  
  3. Your results will include only scores
  
  

• How do I search the catalog by title?

  Type the title into the search blank, and choose "in the title" from the third dropdown menu below it. Click the "Go" button.

• How do I see everybody's BobCat tags?

  Open the link, Tags (upper right bar of the BobCat screen). Tags then display in two ways:* *Most Recent: The number inside the parentheses represents the number of items users have attached to the Tag. The date and time of the most recent addition shows at the right.

  
  Most Popular: This has two display choices:

  
  List: Arranged from the top down in order of popularity.

  
  Cloud: The size of the text reflects the relative popularity of each Tag.
  

• How do I see my own BobCat tags?

  Sign in to My Library Account Open the link, Tags (upper right bar of the BobCat screen).
  Check the box, My Tags Only.

• How do I use the "send to phone" option available on the screen you access when you click the "GetIt" button?

  On the availability screen (GetIt) there is an option to send to phone. If you have a cellular phone with one of the carriers listed (Cingular /AT&T,Nextel, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon, or Virgin ) you can provide your phone number in the box indicated and get the Call Number and Title of item texted to you via phone.

• I can't log into BobCat

  Some users' security settings may prevent BobCat from displaying. To fix this, user must add port 8991 to the list of ports that are available to their network.

• I like the book/video I just found. How do I find similar items?

  From within the item record, click on the links within the Subject Headings area, OR click on the links within the Similar Items area (lower right hand corner).

• I need to find books my instructor has placed on reserve. How do I search course reserves by instructor?

  From the course reserves tab in new BobCat, there is a drop-down menu with options to limit a search underneath the search field. One of these is "instructor." It is also possible to enter an instructor's name and search "anywhere in record."

• I need to find course reserve materials for a particular course-how do I search by course number?

  Enter in the course number, but omit the section number. For example, search by S44.2001, NOT S44.2001.010 (section 10).
  

• I want to get a book but the Availability Field says On Exhibit. Can I get the book?

  This material is currently being used in an exhibit. Eligible patrons may request a copy through interlibrary loan

• Is BobCat compatable with Zotero?

  Yes, if you are using the Firefox browser.
  

  
  If you have Zotero installed:
  
  -Perform a search
  -Click on the folder icon in the address bar of Firefox
  -Select the items you want to import to Zotero.

  
  

  
  

  
  Exporting to Zotero is currently only available from the main BobCat screen. Exporting to Zotero from the e-shelf is not yet available.
  

  
  

  
  NOTE: Zotero is not available for Internet Explorer.
  

  
  

• The book I want is On Hold. How do I get it?

  This item was requested by a library user and is currently being held at the Circulation desk. You may place a hold on it yourself by clicking the Request button. When the book becomes available for you, we will send you an email and you can pick it up at the Circulation desk. You may also speak to a Circulation Department staff member about using the material for a limited time, within the library, while the book is on hold. For more information on holds, please see: http://library.nyu.edu/services/recall.html. If you do not wish to recall the item from the current patron, you may request the item through Interlibrary Loan
  

• The status of the item I want says Reshelving-how do I get it?

  An item with this status has been returned to the library within the past 36 hours. You should first check to see if the item is in its proper location in the Bobst stacks. If you cannot find the item on the shelves, you may wish to check in the book sorting room of the floor or find a stacks staff person for assistance. If your search is still not successful you may wish to check the Circulation sorting shelves, located on the first floor behind the Circulation Department desk.

• What are tags in BobCat?

  Tags are words or phrases that any user can assign to resources found in BobCat, to label and organize those resources and to help find them later.

  
  Tagging comes from the BobCat user community; Anyone can contribute, and everyone's contributions are available freely to everyone else.

• What databases does the Articles & Databases tab search?

  The databases searched depend on which category you choose in the drop-down menu under the search box. If you choose the default search, the databases being searched are: ProQuest Research Library;(Wilson) Omnifile FT Mega; and MasterFILE Select (EBSCO).
  
  To see the list of databases being searched in other categories, go to the main BobCat page and click on the link "See the list of databases searched by Articles & Databases tab."
  
  You can still access databases individually by accessing the Articles via Databases page.

• What do I do when a book I want has the status: Check availability (GetIt)?

  To verify the availability of this item, check the catalog entry's holdings page by clicking on the Check Availability (GetIt) link. If the book you want is not available, eligible patrons may request the item through Interlibrary Loan: http://library.nyu.edu/services/ill.html

• What do I do when the item I want says it's In Processing?

  This material is not immediately available, but some In Processing items are requestable. If the "Request" button appears, you may place a request for the item to be rush processed. It normally takes between 3 and 5 business days for a rush In Processing item to become available. When the book does becomes available for you we will send you an email notification, and you can pick it up at the Circulation desk. If the request button does not appear, eligible patrons may place an  interlibrary loan request

• What does Ask at Fales mean?

  This material is not immediately available, but staff may be able to retrieve it for you. Please ask at the Fales Library and Special Collections on the 3rd floor of Bobst

• What does Ask at NYU Archives mean?

  This material is not immediately available, but staff may be able to retrieve it for you. Please ask at the University Archives on the 10th floor of Bobst

• What does Ask at Tamiment mean?

  This material is not immediately available, but staff may be able to retrieve it for you. Please ask at the Tamiment Library on the 10th floor of Bobst

• What does Available in Consortium mean?

  This status means that the item is available from one of our consortium libraries NYU faculty and students can check out items from these libraries using their NYU ID.

• What does Available in your library (GetIt) mean?

  This status means the item is available in Bobst Library. Clicking on this link will take you to the detailed item record and give you the item's location.

• What does In Processing mean?

  This item has been sent to the bindery and may be out of the library for several weeks. As an alternative, eligible patrons may request the item through Interlibrary Loan at :http://library.nyu.edu/services/ill.html 

• What does Request ILL mean?

  If you are looking for an item and you get a Request ILLlink, it means the item you want is currently unavailable. It is suggested that eligible patrons request the item through Interlibrary Loan (ILL). Select the Request ILL link and once you log-on the ILL request form will be automatically filled in with the appropriate item information. The ILL request form can also be found online at: http://library.nyu.edu/services/ill.html 

• What does Ask at Avery Fisher Center mean?

  This material is not immediately available, but staff may be able to retrieve it for you. Please ask at the Avery Fisher Center on the 2nd floor of Bobst.
  

• What does the "Refine My Results" area do?

  When you perform a search in BobCat, you have the option of pre-limiting by title, author, etc. When you get your results, however, you can refine them further using a number of different "facets" that describe the materials in your results; for example, language, library location, subject, type of material, date, and more. These facets allow you to refine your search and provide more relevant results. Facets are listed in the order of highest occurance; for example, if you do a search and your results include mostly books, the books facet will be at the top of the list.
  

• What does the full-text available (GetIt) link mean?

  The full-text available"get it" button visible in the search articles and databases tab means the item is available electronically for you to access. When you click on this button, a new window will open with a list of databases providing full-text access. Simply click on one of the links to "full text online" to get to the article.

• What is the e-shelf?

  The e-shelf allows you to store searches, push citations to bibliographic tools like RefWorks, and view your search queries, among other things. See the movie below to get a brief overview of the e-shelf.

  Media files

  » part_three.swf

   (2.34 MB)

• When searching in the articles and databases tab I see a yellow link saying may be full text (get it). What does this text mean? Can I get the full-text of the article?

  The "may be full text (get it)" link means that you have found an article citation, but still need to search for full-text. You can do this by clicking on the "get it" link, which executes the search for you.
  
  A new window will open and if the article is available, there will be a link to "full text online." If there is no link to "full text online," look for the link to "Get in Bobcat." By following this Bobcat link, you will be looking up the journal title in our catalog, in order to find out if it is available in print or on microfilm in the library.
  
  Click on the journal title in order to open the record and see the full list of availability and locations. Journals in Bobst are shelved by call number, which you can find listed next to "NYU Bobst Main Collection." The locations are all linked to lists of available years, so just click through to check availability.
  
  If a journal is not available online OR in print, you'll see an option for Interlibrary Loan (ILL). ILL allows you to request the article from another library-it will be delivered to you via email, electronically. For more information, see ILL

• When the item I'm looking for says New Books Display, what does that mean? Can I get the item?

  This material is currently shelved as part of a new books display. Please inquire at the owning library's circulation desk as to the location of the display. New books may be charged out

• Where are the Non-Circulating books?

  Non-circulating books are found in many areas of the library, including reference floors, special collections, and more. To figure out where to go to find material, look for the location listed in the Bobcat record. Locations for non-circulating material include 1st floor reference and 5th floor, Special Collections (3rd floor), the Tamiment Library (10th floor), and the Avery Fisher Center (2nd floor). There is also some non-circulating material in the Main Collection, which is located on floors 4-10, depending on call number.

• Why do I sometimes get a "electronic version not available" message for my book or journal?

  Not everything in BobCat is available online. An online version may not exist, or the Library does not provide access to it online.

• Why is there sometimes more than one option for electronic versions?

  The Library may have licensed online versions from more than one vendor or publisher.

• Will other BobCat users be able to edit or delete my tags?

  No; you have responsibility and control over all the Tags you have assigned. However, other users can add their own Tags to an item you have already tagged.

• Will other BobCat users know that a BobCat tag belongs to me?

  Tags are anonymous to the general public. However, for class assignments or other kinds of group projects, students can agree on the meaning and wording of their Tags, then the group can assign them in a consistent and coordinated way.
  In the public BobCat view, a user's name will never be visibly associated with his or her Tags.
  You must be signed in to BobCat in order to tag; therefore your Tags will be connected to your library account, and the library staff will have access to that information.
  When applying Tags, please honor your responsibilities to the community as described in these NYU policy documents:

  • 
    Policy on Responsible Use of NYU Computers and Data: http://www.nyu.edu/its/policies/responsibleuse.html
  • 
    Responsibilities of All NYU Computer, Data, and Network Users: http://www.nyu.edu/its/policies/respon.html
  
  
  • 
    Bobst Library Conduct Code: http://library.nyu.edu/about/code.html