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Optimizing BookWhere Settings

BookWhere's Main Window

BookWhere contains many options which can be modified to suit your needs. Optimal values for column widths, fonts and window sizes are highly dependent on your computer's screen resolution and personal preference. This document provides tips for customizing the main elements of the software to get you up and running quickly. BookWhere Frequently Asked Questions also provides demonstration videos and other useful information for new users.

1. Record List Display

Resize Columns for better viewing of record content

  • Place your mouse over the vertical bar separating the column headings (the cursor will change shape)
  • While holding down the left mouse button, drag the column wider or narrower to best accommodate the width of data normally displayed
  • Author and Title columns normally need to be made wider for proper viewing of content, Date can be made a little narrower if desired

Add/Change/Delete Columns displayed in Record List

  • Right mouse click on any column heading to reveal a drop-down menu of available fields for display in the record list
  • Fields in the list with a check mark are currently displayed; click on any other field to add it to the right of the last column heading currently displayed; click on a 'checked' field to remove it from display
  • To change the order (left to right) of the columns displayed you can 'uncheck' each field, then add them back in the desired order.
  • Use the Resize Columns procedure described earlier to optimize spacing after changing the column headings displayed. (Resizing will be easier if you have a few records displayed in the list)

Sort Record List on any Column

  • Click (left button) on any column heading to sort the record list in order based on that column; a second click of the same column heading will reverse the sort into descending order
  • To sort the record list on multiple columns use the menu command: Options-->Settings-->Sorting tab

Change the Font used for displaying the Record List

  • Right mouse click anywhere on the Record List and choose Font... from the drop-down menu


  • Select a Font, Font style and Size which is appropriate for the resolution of your screen and comfortable use of the application
  • If you are working in non-Latin based languages, you may need to use a Unicode font to be able to render all characters correctly. If your record list looks like this:


    instead of like this:


    you probably need to select a different font

Resize Record List Height (display more Records at one time)

  • Move the mouse over the horizontal bar between the Record List and the Full Record Display (the cursor will change shape)
  • While holding the left mouse button down, drag the bar down or up to resize the height of the Record List relative to the height of the lower displays

Record List Tips

  • Use the smallest size of font which is comfortable to maximize the number of records which can be displayed
  • Add columns to the Record List Display which will help you select the best record for your needs (e.g. Dewey Number, ISBN or Publisher may be useful choices)
  • Resize the height of the Record List to be a good compromise between number of records you can see in the list and the amount of screen space available to display the Full Record
  • Don't forget the Right Mouse Click opens a drop-down menu of options (including changing fonts, column headings, exporting and sending records!)
2. Full Record Display

Text or MARC Display?

  • Records can be rendered in either Text or MARC (tagged) format depending on the needs of the individual user
  • With the mouse positioned anywhere over the Full Record Display, right mouse click to open the drop-down menu


    select either Text Display or MARC Display to change the default


    Note:The MARC Display option is available in BookWhere. BookWhere Academic provides the Text Display only.

Change Font for Full Record Display

  • Right mouse click to access the drop-down menu; select Font...
  • As with the Record List Display, select a font which provides the appropriate font face and size for your use

3. Use the QuickSearch Toolbar

The QuickSearch Toolbar was introduced with BookWhere version 5. Users of previous versions of BookWhere will appreciate not having to open the Enter a Query Dialog each time they wish to perform a new search. The QuickSearch Toolbar is integrated with the Search Session window and allows for entering of up to two search terms. The default search attributes are ISBN and Title but these can be changed using the drop-down boxes in the Toolbar.

Choose QuickSearch Toolbar by default

  • From the menu choose: Options-->Settings-->General tab
  • Check the option Use QuickSearch Toolbar by default
  • When starting a new BookWhere Session, the Enter a Query dialog box will no longer be presented
  • Search terms directly into the Toolbar; pressing Enter when completed will execute the search
  • After Exporting or Sending a found record, click the Clear button on the Toolbar to begin a New Search

4. Choose which Databases to Search

Resize the Choose Databases window for ease of use

  • The Choose Databases Window is resizable; position the cursor on the lower right hand corner frame and drag (hold down the left button while moving the mouse) the window larger
  • Resize the column widths by dragging the vertical bars dividing the column headers left or right as appropriate for the width of the displayed data

Hide Access-Controlled (Locked) Databases

  • BookWhere includes connection parameters for hundreds of access controlled databases as well as thousands of free sources.
  • If you do not have subscriptions to any of the access controlled databases, they can be filtered out of the list
  • Click more filter options... and check off the option Exclude Databases that require authorization; click OK

Create a Database Group

  • To ensure a high success rate in finding suitable records we recommend searching a variety of library databases that collect similar materials and follow the same cataloguing practices
  • Not sure which Library Databases to choose? We receive regular feedback from cataloguers about their favourite databases
  • Run our QuickPick Groups Creator to generate some useful groups of databases to get you started. You can add and delete from these groups as you wish
  • Important Note: Any existing Database Groups will be removed from BookWhere if you run this utility!

Select a Database Group Automatically

  • Many cataloguers find they are routinely searching their favorite group of databases during each BookWhere Session
  • Save time by having BookWhere select a particular Database Group each time it opens
  • From the menu choose: Options-->Settings-->General tab
  • Check the option Use database group in new sessions and choose the Database Group from the drop-down box

5. Configure Record Export Settings to meet your needs

Export format

  • From the menu choose: Options-->Settings-->Exporting tab
  • Before exporting any records, it is important to specify the format of records you will require. Most cataloguers will want to choose MARC Format from the Format drop-down list
  • The default Directory where BookWhere saves files of records in your My Documents folder under BookWhere\Export Files; this location can be changed if desired
  • The default filename is export and can be set to any desired value
  • The Append Records checkbox is important to allow multiple records to be exported to the same file; unchecked each exported record simply overwrites the existing record(s) in a given file
  • The Options to Display status messages after exporting or sending records from BookWhere are on by default. For the experienced user unchecking these options saves the extraneous popup dialog box and an extra mouse click for every record exported.

Configure BookWhere's SendTo if your Library System supports this feature
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