iCONN: The Connecticut Digital Library

About iCONN | General Information | Directories | Help & Technical Support | For Librarians

iCONN Tips

A service of the Connecticut State Library and your local library in partnership with the Department of Higher Education.

Tip #1: There are three ways that you can access and search any database in the new iCONN
Tip #2: How do I get to the main resource menu (which displays all the databases) and what can I do once I get there?
Tip #3: Where are all the informational Web pages that were part of the “old” iCONN site?
Tip #4: Can I start viewing my search results before all databases have appeared on the summary results screen?
Tip #5: What is the purpose of the Change My Library directory?
Tip #6: How do I limit search results to specific magazines or journal names?
Tip #7: How do I use the zip code feature in reQuest?
Tip #8: How do I limit search results by groups of libraries in reQuest?
Tip #9: How is the local library name at the bottom of the screen derived?
Tip#10: Can I search for an exact phrase?
Tip#11: Where can I find more information about how to use these databases?
Tip#12: How do I request an item in reQuest, the Statewide Library Catalog?

Tip #1: There are three ways that you can access and search any database in the new iCONN:

Search all databases simultaneously:

Log into www.iconn.org. When the keyword search screen displays (Figure 1), enter your search and click on Search. This will search all databases pre-selected for searching simultaneously.

Note: Because we are not yet able to include all databases in the broadcast search that the system performs automatically when you enter a search in the keyword search screen, not all of the licensed databases accessible from the resource menu will appear in the initial search results:

For public libraries, those databases are: Associated Press Photos and HeritageQuest.
For schools, it is just Associated Press Photos.
For colleges, it is Associated Press Photos and LexisNexis.

See #3 below to access the native search interface of each of these databases.

Figure 1: The keyword search screen

Search any combination of databases simultaneously:

Log into www.iconn.org. When the keyword search screen displays, click Select iCONN Resources. This displays the screen shown in (Figure 2), below. On this screen click the button that says "Clear Checkmarks.” This will remove all checkmarks in one step. Next put a checkmark in the box(es) next to the database(s) that you want to search, then click on Search. You can also select databases for simultaneous searching in Advanced Search. If a database (e.g., Associated Press Photos) has no checkbox, it means it cannot be included in the broadcast search; to search that database, just click on the database title and that will bring you to that database’s native search interface.

Note: To search any database on the resource menu using its native search interface, just click on the database title.

Figure 2: Get here by clicking "Select ICONN Resources"

Search databases one at a time using their native search interfaces:

Search databases one at a time using their native search interfaces: Log into www.iconn.org. When the keyword search screen displays, select Link to Individual Resources. This will bring you to the alternative menu shown in Figure 3. You can also bookmark this alternative menu in your browser using the following addresses:

For public libraries: http://rqst-agent.auto-graphics.com/homepages/customerwide/classicpublic.asp
For schools: http://rqst-agent.auto-graphics.com/homepages/customerwide/classicschool.asp
For colleges: http://rqst-agent.auto-graphics.com/homepages/customerwide/classiccollege.asp

Figure 3: Get here by clicking "Link to Individual Resources"

Another way to access any database directly is to use the appropriate direct link for that database found at http://www.iconn.org/staff/urltable.aspx These links can also be posted on your home page. As noted above for the alternative menu, it is no longer necessary to have two sets of direct links (i.e., one for in-library use and one for home access).

Tip #2: How do I get to the main resource menu (which displays all the databases) and what can I do once I get there?

After logging in, click on Select iCONN Databases at the keyword search screen (Figure 2 above), or select Advanced Search
Select and deselect databases to be included in the broadcast search by clicking in the checkbox next to the database name
“Clear Checkmarks” will clear all selections and Reset will restore the default selections
Click on a database name to search that database directly using its native search interface.
Click on the to the left of the database name to view a description of that database
Click on the Help button at the top of the screen for more information (Figure 4)

Figure 4: Get here by clicking "Help"

Tip #3: Where are all the informational Web pages that were part of the “old” iCONN site?

The most frequently-used links are located in the center of the keyword search screen, and at the bottom of all screens. One of the links at the bottom of every screen is the Site Map which puts all the links into one place. (Figure 5). The Site Map can also be directly bookmarked at www.iconn.org/siteindex.aspx.

Figure 5: These links are at the bottom of each page

Tip #4: Can I start viewing my search results before all databases have appeared on the summary results screen?

After you enter a search in either the keyword or advanced search screens, the system lists (Figure 6) the databases that were searched, the number of search results in each database, and up to the first 20 search results in each database. You do not have to wait until all databases appear on the left side of the screen before you start viewing search results - you can click on the search results of any database as soon as that database's name appears on the left side of the screen. While viewing the database search results, the summary results screen will continue to display more databases until the last database displays.

Click on a database name on the left to see the results for that database on the right-hand panel. Click on a highlighted number to the right of a database name and a new window will open with results in that database's own search interface. Click on a title from the title list on the right side of the screen to retrieve the specific article or record.

To sort the entire list of search results by date, simply select "Sort By Date" in the drop-down menu that appears on the upper right side of the screen immediately after the words "Results Display Mode."

Figure 6: Summary Results Screen showing initial search results

Tip #5: What is the purpose of the Change My Library directory?

This directory has several uses:

It allows a college student who happens to be in a public library to click on the direct link for their college library so that they can access the college library resource menu after entering their library card number
It allows a public library user who happens to be in a college library to click on the direct link for their public library so that they can access the public library resource menu after entering their library card number.
It allows any library participating in reQuest to have a direct link to their applicable resource menu (public or college), which includes their customized version of reQuest. This same link can also be posted on that library’s home page for easier access. Using the direct link will bypass the screen that asks users (whose libraries are part of a group) to “Please select one library”

Note: The previous ability that allowed a K-12 teacher or student at home to click on the direct link for their school library and access their school library’s resource menu after entering their public library card number was disabled after we realized that this same ability would allow anyone with any CT public library card to potentially access local database resources that were licensed by a specific school for only that school’s students and teachers. Regrettably, because this access path would effectively violate these license agreements, we had to disable this feature for schools. As a result, currently, we do not have a method by which a student or teacher can access their school resource menu from home.

Tip #6: How do I limit search results to specific magazines or journal names?

This must be done in Advanced Search by using the drop-down menu in the “Search for” box and selecting “Journal Title” (Figure 7).

Figure 7: Advanced Search Screen – limiting search results to a specific magazine or journal name

Tip #7: How do I use the zip code feature in reQuest?

When viewing the full record of any title returned from a search in reQuest, in the section called “Locations Information,” click on Miles and it will list all the locations by mileage from the default zip code, which displays as a link on the screen (Figure 8). The default zip code is the zip code of your home library. If you want to change the default zip code, just click on the zip code and enter any valid Connecticut zip code on the next screen. If you want to change the list to alphabetical sequence, just click on the Institution link. You can also limit search results to display only those libraries that are within a specific number of miles from the zip code you have specified. This setting is done in Advanced Search (select “Library Location and/or Distance”). Note: the limit by distance feature works only in the “All Libraries” mode. Also, when you use this limit feature, the zip code that displays on the search results screen (“Locations Information”) will not be hyperlinked.

Figure 8: Sorting Locations in reQuest by distance from a default zip code

Tip #8: How do I limit search results by groups of libraries in reQuest?

If your library has configured this feature, it allows you to limit search results to specific libraries (e.g., this library only; nearby libraries only; etc.). This feature is found in Advanced Search (select “Library Location and/or Distance”) (Figure 9). If you click on the drop-down arrow in the upper right corner, it will show you the limit choices you have, and allow you to select the specific library or libraries you want to limit your searches to. If only one choice (“All Libraries”) displays, then you can only search in the All Libraries mode. When you set this limit in Advanced Search, the limit takes effect only in Advanced Search; Keyword Search will remain set at “All Libraries.”

Figure 9: Limiting search results in reQuest to specific libraries

Tip #9: How is the local library name at the bottom of the screen derived?

The “identity statement” at the bottom of the screen (Figure 10) identifies the specific library that iCONN associates you with based on how you logged into the system (i.e., either by using the number on the library card that was issued by a specific library or by using the Internet address of the library’s computer).

Figure 10: Local library name appearing in identity statement at bottom of every screen

Tip#10: Can I search for an exact phrase?

Phrase searching is available in the reQuest Main and Magazine Catalogs. (Reminder: it is also available in most of the iCONN databases). At times you may only want to retrieve results that include an exact phrase. To do this, enclose in "quotation marks" the phrase to be used in the search. Some databases do not support phrase searching, so although entering a phrase in quotes initiates a phrase query, the user may find the results will not be limited to the specific phrase that was entered, or the database may report back that this particular type of search is not supported.

Tip#11: Where can I find more information about how to use these databases?

You can find online tutorials, webinars and search tips for most iCONN databases at http://www.iconn.org/staff/OnlineTrainingPublicSchool.aspx
If you are a college student and have access to the college-only databases, you can find online tutorials, webinars and search tips at http://www.iconn.org/staff/OnlineTrainingAcademic.aspx

Tip#12: How do I request an item in reQuest, the Statewide Library Catalog?

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the process by which a library requests material from, or supplies material to, another library in order to fulfill a request from a patron. reQuest, the Statewide Library Catalog, has an ILL feature that allows you to place requests for material that your home library does not own, and to track those requests.

Note: Not all libraries in Connecticut participate in ILL through the reQuest system. Here’s a list of libraries that currently participate. If your home library is not on this list, you may search reQuest, but you will have to contact your home library and ask them how to request the item you want.

To request an item using the reQuest catalog, follow the steps below:

Go to http://www.iconn.org. If you are outside the library, you will see a text box that asks for your library card number in the top right hand corner of the screen. (Note: Do NOT use the Search reQuest - the Statewide Library Catalog button or the Try This login button that appear on the same page that asks for your library card number. These links take you to a “generic” library catalog with no interlibrary loan capability.)
Type in your library card number (if you are outside the library and using your computer at home), and click the Login button.
Click the link Search reQuest - the Statewide Library Catalog which is one of the bulleted items below the Keyword search box. This will take you to your home library’s customized version of reQuest.
Enter your search terms, i.e. author, title, subject, etc. in the search box.
(Notice also the Advanced Search and Browse reQuest Catalogs links on the bar at the top of the page. These searches work better if you know a specific author and/or a specific title.)
Click the Search button. The screen will refresh and you will see the number of hits for your search terms. A new window with a list of titles or authors will open. If a new window does not open automatically, click the number of hits next to "reQuest Main Catalog".
Click on one of the titles. The screen will refresh and display information about that specific title. Notice the green Request This Item button in the top, right-hand corner of the page and in the left-hand margin of the page.
Click the Request This Item button. A new window will open which will display the interlibrary loan request form.
Complete the information. (See screen shot below.) We suggest that you use the same spelling of your name and the same password for all of your interlibrary loan requests in this system. By doing this, you will be able to track all of your requests at one time rather than individually.
Click the Submit button. This will electronically send your request to staff at your home library and they will try to obtain the material for you.

To track your ILL request:

Login to iCONN using your library card number.
Click Patron Menu that appears in the bar at the very top of the screen (see screen shot below).
Click ILL Request Tracking that appears on the left side of the page.
Type your name and password exactly as you typed them on the Request This Item form. If, for example, you use Steve Smith on one request and Stephen Smith or S. Smith on another request, then you would have to track each request separately under each name. We suggest you use the same version of your name and the same password for all of your requests so that you can track them all at the same time.
Click the Submit button. The screen will refresh and you will see a list of the items that you have requested and their current status.