Libraries to unveil new online HOLLIS catalog

This summer, when Harvard rolls out the new and improved online HOLLIS catalog, library patrons – faculty, students, staff, and other researchers – will benefit from a number of new features. The entirely Web-based catalog has a new format and design, offering users a variety of new and more functional features, while giving users more control over their library transactions. Access to the HOLLIS catalog will be via the Harvard Libraries portal (http://lib.harvard.edu), which contains general information about the libraries, such as hours of operation and locations.

Using the new HOLLIS catalog and a University PIN (which may be requested at http://www.pin.harvard.edu), users can interact with the library electronically from their dorm, home, or office. With the catalog, users will be able to renew, hold, or recall items; renew books from multiple libraries at the same time; view a list of items checked out; and check fines.

Search features have also been refined and expanded. In the new HOLLIS, searches can be limited to an individual library or a user-selected group of libraries, or limited to journals, reserves, or e-resources. The new HOLLIS also offers onscreen lists of languages, formats, and library names with which to refine a search, so there is no need to look elsewhere for limit codes. In addition, searches using part of a word to find all forms of the word are now more flexible.

With the refined system, users can also check the status and location of Harvard reserve books without searching a separate database. Users will be able to return to previous searches and modify, combine, or review them.

For more information, or questions regarding the new HOLLIS online catalog, e-mail aipcomment@hulmail.harvard.edu.