LINKcat Library Catalog

LINKcat FAQ and Search Tips

• Who is responsible for the catalog?
• I got the message: Unable to process request/Unable to find results to get hit.
• I got the message: HTTP ERROR: 503 Server is busy. Please try again later.
• Why am I seeing the "LINKcat Web is closed" message between 7 a.m. and 3 a.m.?
• When is LINKcatWeb available?
• Why can't I access LINKcat between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.?
• I do not see any easy print-out system on the web format. Is it there?
• What is a PIN?
• Can the web site remember my library card number from visit to visit so I don't have to type it in every time I visit the catalog?
• I created a list in My List, but I was not able to get it back. What happened?
• You can change your default pickup location.
• Can I turn off the cover art so the pages load more quickly?
• Why does the system log me out so quickly?
• You can suspend your holds without losing your place on the list.

Who is responsible for the catalog?

The LINKcat catalog is maintained by the South Central Library System, which operates and maintains a shared catalog for public libraries in a seven county area, including Madison Public Library. Purchasing is a decision made jointly by all members. Some features of the software purchased are customizable, others are not.

I got the message: Unable to process request/Unable to find results to get hit.

This means the catalog is temporarily unavailable. While the web page still appears to work, you will not be able to retrieve any results for your searches. Please try your search again after a little time has passed. If you continue to receive this message over a long period of time, please contact Tana at 266-4953 or madtech@scls.lib.wi.us.

I got the message: HTTP ERROR: 503 Server is busy. Please try again later.

This means the LINKcatWeb server is temporarily too busy to handle your request. Please try your search again after a little time has passed.

Why am I seeing the "LINKcat Web is closed" message between 7 a.m. and 3 a.m.?

If you receive a LINKcat Web is closed message between the hours of 7 a.m. to 3 a.m., try clearing your browser's cache. If you still see the message after you clear the cache, please contact the library for assistance. (Note to Safari users: Safari contains a bug that may cause the browser to incorrectly handle caching instructions. If you are still seeing the LINKcat Web is closed message after clearing Safari's cache, you could try using a different browser, such as Firefox or Netscape.)

When is LINKcatWeb available?

LINKcatWeb is available Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. It is down each morning from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. in order to update information and add new records to the catalog.

Why can't I access LINKcat between 3:00 a.m. and 7 a.m.?

We must take the system off line to perform routine maintenance. Commercial enterprises such as Amazon.com have funding resources that allow them to purchase redundant systems so that they can "switch" from one server to another while performing maintenance tasks. This type of operation is very costly and is beyond the scope of the current budget of the LINK/South Central Library System.

I do not see any easy print-out system on the web format. Is it there?

Apparently the clean, concise printing that was available in the previous product wasn't made available in this one. Our system staff are already asking the software provider to consider this as a necessary upgrade.

What is a PIN?

Each person has a four-digit PIN number in addition to their library card barcode number. To place a hold or renew a book, you will need your PIN number, too. See Protecting My Privacy in LINKcat brochure.

Can the web site remember my library card number from visit to visit so I don't have to type it in every time I visit the catalog?

This is not possible due to the fact that many people accessing the site are doing so from shared computers, particularly those inside the library. The technology that Yahoo and Amazon have that asks "Hello, Mr. Smith! If you are not Mr. Smith, please click here." is very expensive and still requires you to remember and enter some information (ID and password) in order to access the catalog. As a sort of shortcut, you may enter just the last eight digits of your library barcode number (after 290780...).

I created a list in My List, but I was not able to get it back. What happened?

A list created in My List is saved only if you have logged in before you created the list. If you have not logged in, the list will be deleted as soon as you exit the LINKcat session. If you log in and create a list in My List, the list will remain in the system for 365 days. More info on My List.

You can change your default pickup location.

Your default holds pickup location is the library you originally registered at. If you'd rather pick up your holds at another location, just let our staff know the next time you check out.

Can I turn off the cover art so the pages load more quickly?

Yes, you can turn off the cover art. You will need to change the setting on your browser to not load images. The steps for turning off images vary from browser to browser and version to version, so check your browser's help file for directions. Note: Turning off images can cause minor display problems in some browsers.

Why does the system log me out so quickly?

The system is set to log off after five minutes of inactivity. This is a privacy measure designed to keep other people from being able to access your account or see your patron information if you step away from your computer.

You can suspend your holds without losing your place on the list.

If you'll be on vacation or have too much to read, you can suspend your holds. This keeps your place on the list without making the hold available until you specify that you are ready. To reactivate holds, change the status back to "Active."

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