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InfoNet

URSUS

MINERVA

SOLAR

MARVEL

WHAT THEY ARE & HOW TO USE THEM!

Maine InfoNet, the Statewide Library Catalog - InfoNet combines and links library collections. A single search scans more than 2,500,000 unique titles and nearly 6 million items. Starting with 60 of the largest libraries in Maine, the system will eventually include more than 300 library collections. URSIS, MINERVA, SOLAR and MARVEL are all part of InfoNet. A built-in requesting and transaction management system allows patrons of The Southwest Harbor Public Library to search the system and make online interlibrary loan requests.

To go directly to InfoNet.

HOW TO SEARCH AND BORROW FROM InfoNet

The barcode and number on a library card from The Southwest Harbor Public Library is the key to entry into the entire Maine InfoNet system.

The Maine InfoNet Statewide Catalog includes:

URSUS - To search – use InfoNet - URSUS includes:

The catalogues for the University of Maine System

Bangor Public Library

The Maine State Library in Augusta

The Maine Law and Legislative Reference Library

Bates College – George and Helen Ladd Library - To search – use InfoNet

Bowdoin College Library - To search – use InfoNet

Colby College Libraries - To search – use InfoNet

Portland Public Library - To search – use InfoNet

University of New England in Biddeford and Portland - To search – use InfoNet

Maine Maritime Academy – Nutting Library - To search – use InfoNet

Maine College of Art, Portland – Joanne Waxman Library - To search – use InfoNet

MINERVA – More than 60 participating libraries including The Southwest Harbor Public Library – To search – use MINERVA

Minerva is a consortium of more than 60 Maine libraries, including public, academic, school, and special libraries. Creating a statewide "library without walls" that eliminates geographic and socio-economic barriers, Minerva provides access to more than six million library items. Minerva improves library services for participating libraries and their patrons through automation and collaborative projects.

SOLAR – 17 libraries in Maine which do not participate in Minerva

Shared OnLine Automated Resources

SOLAR: Libraries not using another compatible library automation system, such as Minerva, participate in online requesting and lending through the Maine Info Net Statewide Catalog by contributing records to the SOLAR.

They request & lend directly - Some of these libraries do not loan books.

To search SOLAR – use InfoNet

MARVEL! – To search Marvel – use MARVEL’s own search page. You may bump into parts of Marvel while searching InfoNet, but starting in MARVEL! is probably the most efficient way to use it.

Marvel is an online information system – a collection of databases which cite thousands of magazines, newspapers, and reference books, many of them available as full texts, many of them from expensive commercial systems, previously available only to large libraries and information professionals. The Maine Public Utilities Commission pays the vendor fees for the use of many of these databases for the benefit of the people of Maine.

Click here to go directly to MARVEL!

For information about MARVEL! and how to use it.

The Maine Delivery System is the courier system used by libraries in Maine to deliver books to each other for borrowing. Maine is one of the few states to have such a system.

To go directly to InfoNet.

HOW TO SEARCH AND BORROW FROM InfoNet

If you arrive at the InfoNet page by going there directly:

You will see a clear and simple screen that allows you to search by:

• AUTHOR
• TITLE
• SUBJECT
• WORD SEARCH (like using a KEYWORD)
• AUTHOR/TITLE (searching AUTHOR AND TITLE)
• NUMBERS

Library of Congress Call Number Search
Dewey Call Number Search
NLM (National Library of Medicine)
Government Documents Number Search
ISBN/ISSN Search
Report Number Search

Clicking on any of these fields will bring you to a helpful search screen.

Conduct your search until you have found what you are looking for.

(You can arrive at the same place by searching in Minerva and continuing your search by clicking on the SEARCH InfoNet button.)

(FOR INFORMATION ABOUT HOW MINERVA WORKS click on the ALL MAINE CATALOGS button in the main button bank on the left of this screen, and then on InfoNet Tutorial.)

Click on the DISPLAY HOLDINGS OF MAINE INFO NET LIBRARIES button to see how many copies are in the system, where they are and if they are available to borrow.

To borrow something, click on the REQUEST THIS ITEM button.

You will be asked with which institution you are affiliated.

Click on the drop-down arrow and select MINERVA.

Click on SUBMIT ABOVE INFORMATION.

Type in your name and library card barcode.

Click on the PICKUP LOCATION drop-down arrow.

Select Southwest Harbor Public Library.

Click on SUBMIT ABOVE INFORMATION and your request will be sent automatically. The system decides which library will receive your request.

We will call and let you know when the book arrives at the Southwest Harbor Public Library.

If you have problems or questions, you can do the very same thing at the Library. The staff will be happy to go through the steps with you so that you can do it yourself the next time!

To read InfoNet’s Search Tips

TO SEE MANY MORE REFERENCE LINKS - Click on the REFERENCE ROOM button in the main button bank on the left of this screen.

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