Administration Office
P.O. Box 119, 7527 Library Drive, Hanover, VA 23069
804-365-6211 (phone), 804-537-6389 (fax),
ask@pamunkeylibrary.org
Problems with PamCat
This page is for documenting all of the known issues reported by library patrons while using PamCat, the library's online catalog. If you have experienced a problem using PamCat or have a suggestion on how to make PamCat better, please e-mail ask@pamunkeylibrary.org. Thanks!
Don't forget to check out our other pages about PamCat, including PamCat Quick Guides, PamCat's availability, and the introduction to PamCat.
Timeouts during PamCat sessions - Using Alternate IDs
Problems with Session Timeouts When Using PamCat
As of 2004, some patrons have reported session timeouts when they click on one or more areas from the main webpage of PamCat, which is powered by SIRSI Corporation's iBistro. Other library systems that use iBistro have reported similar occurrences of the problem.These session timeouts happen to patrons using Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who use cache proxy servers to speed up download times by storing the pages their customers use. This is usually advertised as an "internet accelerator" service. The most common ISPs that use cache proxy servers are DIRECWAY (DirecTV's satellite-based Internet service), Netzero, and Earthlink, although any provider using the accelerators may have the same problem. This conflicts with the way that iBistro is structured, resulting in the session timeout screen.
Unfortunately, at this time, there is no way for an ISP's customer to clear such a cache from home, so occurrences will persist as long as the ISP uses cache proxy services. The Pamunkey Regional Library will be working closely with the SIRSI Corporation to develop a solution to this ongoing problem. In the meantime, please contact your ISP to see if they have a work-around for the problem. You can also send the library an e-mail at information@pamunkeylibrary.org. Please let us know who your ISP is, and let us know as much as you can about the problem, so that we can forward the information to SIRSI and try to find a solution as quickly as possible that works for everyone. Updates will be posted to this page. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.
Using Alternate IDs to log in to PamCat
Some of our patrons prefer to use an Alternate ID to log
in to PamCat, rather than use their library card number. If you enter
your Alternate ID on the main PamCat screen, you will be directed to a page
that says "Login to My Account - Invalid login." First use your
backspace key to clear the word "WEBSERVER" from the box labeled "Library
Card #." If you leave "WEBSERVER" in that box after you log in with
your Alternate ID and password, PamCat will request your log in information
each time you try to complete a transaction, such as placing a book on hold
or reviewing your account.
If you continue to experience problems trying to log in to PamCat using an
Alternate ID, please call or visit your
local branch library or e-mail
ask@pamunkeylibrary.org.
Last updated, February 23, 2006
