The UC Berkeley Library will not thrust a product on its patrons that does not meet the high standards of such a distinguished institution. As a result, the go live date for the new library catalog, OskiCat, has been pushed back from June 16, 2009 to June 24, 2009. A few kinks needed to be worked out, but it'll be worth the wait, trust me. In the meantime, do a little recon and take a look at the Library Tutorials Page for a sneak preview of this OskiCat.

Have you been wondering what all that chalk graffiti around campus referring to an OskiCat is about? No, we are not changing our lovable school mascot Oski from a bear to a cat. What we are changing though, is our school's library catalog from GLADIS/Pathfinder to OskiCat--the Cat part being short for catalog. Beginning June 16th, 2009, OskiCat will go live, and GLADIS/Pathfinder will simply just go. Don't worry, the Library will give GLADIS/Pathfinder a proper burial before we give you, the user, a more bearable path to your research needs. Still trying to get your bearings straight, for more information about OskiCat go to the webpage and view the preview. Hibernation is over, the bear that is a cat will be here soon.

Do you want to have a say in the copy-print-scan services the Library offers? Well, a survey to get feedback on what copy-print-scan services library patrons currently use and what services they need that are not currently provided can be found next to the copy machine in Graduate Services. Survey forms will be there until the end of finals. Fill one out, and give us some feedback Merzbow would be proud of.

The New Book Shelf in Graduate Services has been barren the last few months. This does not mean Graduate Services has stopped acquiring important books for graduate students in the humanities and social sciences. In fact, in the coming months you can be certain to see books rolling on to and off these shelves just like in the old days. For now though, the move from GLADIS/Pathfinder to our new integrated library system called OskiCat has resulted in a moratorium on the processing of new materials. Don't worry though, these new books will be here soon. Rome wasn't built in a day and if OskiCat was, we probably wouldn't want it. 

Also, remember, if there is a book you think would be a valued addition to the Graduate Services Collection, fill out the Purchase Recommendation Form at our website or in person at the Graduate Services circulation desk. 

If you would like to know more about OskieCat, visit the OskieCat information page on the Library's homepage.

The UC Berkeley libraries are moving from GLADIS/Pathfinder to a new integrated library system called OskiCat. Right now, graduate students and faculty are allowed to check out an unlimited amount of items. Once OskiCat goes live on June 16, 2009 this will change: the maximum number of items allowed to be checked out by a graduate student will be 200; the maximum number of items allowed to be checked out by a faculty member will be 300. If you are over the 200 or 300 items limit, your account will be blocked and you will not be able to check-out or renew books until you have cleared this 200 or 300 item limit. So don't get caught when you need that book. Return the items you don't need and get under the limit--that is, if you are over the limit. 

Look for the OskiCat webpage soon to be linked to the Library homepage containing everything you wanted to know about OskiCat but were afraid to ask.