Top 10 things you (probably) didn't know you could do with Tripod
Fall is here, and students and faculty are returning (or arriving for the first time). For everyone who's new to Tripod, the libraries' catalog, and for everyone who's used it but hasn't tried all the bells and whistles, here's a short guide to some of the features you may not know about.
This feature isn't available for everything in Tripod, but many of our records for new books have extra information: images of book covers, tables of contents, and sometimes short excerpts. Check a book out virtually before you check it out in person.
2. Use your RSS feed reader to keep track of new stuff.
Click the "New books, videos, etc." link at the bottom of the main Tripod page and you'll be taken to a page that lets you generate lists of new materials in whatever areas you're interested in. You can then track the list as an RSS feed (here's an explanation of RSS).3. Save a search and come back to it.
Do you find yourself doing the same search more than once? Log into Tripod using the "Login" link, run your search, then click the "Save as preferred search" button on the right side of the page above the search results. The next time you view your record, you'll be able to return to it.
4. Track everything you've checked out.
When you log into Tripod, you'll see your library record, with a list of what you've got checked out. If you want to keep track of everything you borrow, even after you return it, click the "Reading history" button. See this post for details.5. Find historical documents in archives and special collections.
Use the Special Collections search tab to find manuscripts, archival documents, and rare books in any or all of the Tri-Colleges' special collections libraries. To learn more, check out the Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore special collections sites.
6. Browse DVDs and videos by genre.
In the mood for a horror movie, or maybe a martial-arts epic? Click the Videos/DVDs search tab and you'll find a list of genres to browse in, from Adventure to Spy Films. You can also browse by nationality, so if you're interested in movies from Chile, Tunisia, or Kyrgyzstan, you can see what we have from all of those countries.
7. Make Tripod remember how you usually search.
If you tend to search for authors or titles, you can make sure that option, rather than "Keyword search," comes up on the main search screen. Just check the "Remember my search preferences" box before you start a search.
8. You found it, now cite it.
Found what you were looking for? Get it in EndNote or ProCite format for your bibliography. Click "Save records" and then "View saved" to get your search results formatted for your citation software, or just e-mail yourself the records.
9. Text-message call numbers to your cell phone.
Can't print your search results? Want to save trees? Now you can send titles and call numbers to your cell phone as a text message, and carry your phone into the stacks! (More details.)
10. Can't find it in Tripod? See if other local libraries have it.
The "EZ-Borrow/ILL" link gives you an array of options for finding books and articles we don't have in the Tri-Colleges. When in doubt, consult your friendly neighborhood reference librarian and Interlibrary Loan specialist.
