Unicorn & iBistro have arrived
Unicorn is the powerful new software that is managing our library circulation system.
iBistro is the online catalog you can search from home, from the library, or from anywhere in the world.
With these two potent new tools, your library is better equipped than ever to do more for you and the community. For example, our capacity to fulfill your requests for materials this library does not own is enormously expanded. With the click of a mouse we can obtain materials for you from Piscataway, Manville, or Long Branch, sometimes overnight.
Better still, you can do you own searching from the comfort of your home or office, at any hour, day or night. By connecting to iBistro by clicking on:
you gain access not only to the Spotswood Public Library, but to all participating libraries in the LMxAC consortium - 27 public libraries plus the Middlesex County College library.
iBistro, in addition to allowing you to search and place holds, provides exciting enhancements:
- Full color book jackets
- Full text reviews
- Recommended reading
- Bestseller lists
Getting Started
Once you have accessed the catalog through the lmxac link above, you are ready to set up your account by clicking on My Account Link.
On the next screen, click on the link to User PIN Change.
Type your library card number, in its entirety, in the appropriate box.
Below that, in the PIN box, type changeme. This is the pre-set universal PIN number.
In the boxes below the grey bar, insert your new PIN.
It is recommended that you choose a PIN with numerical characters only, so your PIN can function with our new automated telephone service.
Then... you're all set! You can now renew materials, place holds, or see what materials are charged to your account - all via the Internet.
More possibilities:
The Spotswood Public Library and our library consortium have elected to enter the 21st century with the implementation of a voice activated telephone system (SVA).
Yes, there are many reasons to hate automated telephone systems! But this service will free up staff time, save money, and work for you, our patrons.
From now on, most of the notices you received regarding materials on hold, over dues, and fines, will come to you through our SVA system.
In addition,you will be able to use our SVA to check on your account status and renew materials. Please note, however, that this is not a toll-free number.
Want to do things the old fashioned way?
You can! You can still visit the library to do your searching in person, and you can still ask any of our staff for help. But Unicorn and iBistro are here to make your library experience more enjoyable and rewarding.
iBistro Hints
Don't use AOL. iBistro is not compatible with AOL. Please use an industry standard browser instead, such as Netscape 4.5 or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher, and Mozilla 1.0 or higher. These free interfaces can be downloaded from the browsers' homepages.
When setting up your iBistro account, chose numbers for your PIN. You will be able to log in using letters via the Internet but not if you chose to use our telephone service for your account.
732-750-2965
... it's the number to call for account information, including charges, fines, renewals, and holds.
