Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

This section provides answers to common questions about using the CLCD platform. If you don’t find what you need, email us at help@clcd.com — our Help Desk team is here to assist you quickly.

 

Getting Started / Setup

 

Q: Are there any special setup requirements to use CLCD?

A: You need an internet connection and a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge). Mobile access is supported, though some layout differences may occur.

 

Q: Can I access CLCD from Safari or mobile devices?

A: Yes. Most features work across all major browsers and mobile devices. For the best experience, we recommend Chrome or Firefox.

 

Q: I forgot my user ID or password. What should I do?

A: Use the password reset link on the login screen, or contact us at help@clcd.com for help.

 

Search Functionality

 

Q: Why do age-restricted searches return fewer results?

A: Age filters rely on records that include professional reviews. Since not every title has a review, applying an age filter reduces the result set.

 

Q: Why do searches with multiple keywords return no results?

A: By default, CLCD requires all search terms to match. Use the “Any of the words” option to broaden your results.

 

Q: Why do I get no results even though I know a book exists?

A: You may have lingering filters from a previous search. Use the Reset button or click the CLCD logo to clear all filters before starting a new search.

 

Can I search by multiple ISBNs?

A: Yes. Enter the ISBNs (without dashes) separated by spaces. CLCD will return the matching records.

 

Search Results Display

 

Q: What do the icons under book covers represent?

A: Icons indicate awards, reviews, curriculum tags, or reading program data. Hover over each to see its meaning.

 

Q: Why is there a filter panel on the left side?

A: These filters let you narrow results further—by format, review type, age range, and more.

 

Q: Why does the RESET button only clear certain filters?

A: It resets filters applied on that screen. To fully restart, go to Search History and begin a new query.

 

Q: Why are some books missing cover images?

A: Some older or out-of-print titles may not have available jacket art. We're constantly working to fill these gaps.

 

Book Details Display

 

Q: How do I browse related titles from the Book Details page?

A: Use the arrows to scroll through related results or click any title in the sidebar list.

 

Q: Can I expand the display for better readability?

A: Yes. Click the double arrow in the left panel to hide the title list and enlarge the book details view.

 

MyCLCD & Account Features

 

Q: What is MyCLCD?

A: MyCLCD allows you to save searches, reading lists, and access search history. Admins can also create reports and manage users.

 

Q: Why don't I see MyCLCD when using IP authentication?

A: MyCLCD is tied to individual accounts. IP-based access is anonymous; to use MyCLCD, log in with a named account.

 

Q: Can I create MyCLCD accounts for students or patrons?

A: Yes. Admins can create unlimited user accounts under Manage Users in the MyCLCD panel.

 

Reading Lists

 

Q: What is a Reading List?

A: It’s a personal or shared list of saved titles. You can create unlimited lists, name them freely, and add as many books as you wish.

 

Q: What can I do with a Reading List?

A: Print it, email it, or export it in MARC format for cataloging or acquisitions.

 

Search History & Saved Searches

 

Q: What is Search History?

A: It stores your last 50 searches. You can re-run or delete them anytime.

 

Q: What are Saved Searches?

A: Saved Searches allow you to re-run complex queries at any time without rebuilding them. Unlike static Reading Lists, Saved Searches return fresh results.

 

User Management (Admins Only)

 

Q: What are Managed Users?

A: These are individual MyCLCD accounts created under a single institutional subscription. Each user gets a personalized experience.

 

Q: Can we have multiple Account Administrators?

A: Yes. Just contact us at help@clcd.com to elevate an account to Admin status.

 

Q: How do I add a new user?

A: Log in as an Admin, go to MyCLCD > Manage Users, and click New User. Fill in the details and assign access.

 

Usage Statistics (Admins Only)

 

Q: What are Usage Statistics?

A: This dashboard shows usage by IP address, date, and user type. It helps administrators optimize training and resource awareness.

 

Account Settings (Admins Only)

 

Q: Why can’t I edit all fields in Account Settings?

A: Some fields (like Account ID or login credentials) are locked to prevent duplication or unauthorized changes. Contact support for updates.

 

Browse Functionality

 

Q: Why does the Browse function return authors instead of subjects?

A: It defaults to the author index. Use the dropdown to select Subject Terms before browsing.

 

Q: How do I run a search based on multiple subject terms?

A: Check the boxes beside each desired term and click Select to generate a results set.

 

Result Display Features

 

Q: Why are some words highlighted in yellow?

A: These are keywords that matched your search.

 

Q: Why are some terms in blue with underlines?

A: These are hyperlinks that let you jump to related subjects, authors, or categories.

 

Q: What do the checkboxes next to each title do?

A: Use them to select multiple titles, then click Save Results to export, sort, or print them.

 

Platform Content & Coverage

 

Q: How often is the database updated?

A: Monthly, with an average of 3,000 new reviews and frequent title and award updates.

 

Q: How many professional reviews does CLCD offer?

A: Over 630,000 reviews from 50+ trusted sources.

 

Q: How many award-winning titles are included?

A: Over 125,000 award-winning books and 275,000 award notations, covering 1,300+ award programs.

 

Q: How is age range determined in CLCD?

A: Based on eight different criteria, including professional reviews, content markers, and reading program levels. This is more robust than publisher-supplied data.

 

Q: How can I map age to grade level?

A: A general guideline: Grade = Age - 5 (e.g., 4th grade = approx. 9 years old).

 

Product-Specific Questions

 

CLCD Enterprise PreK–12

Q: Who is Enterprise designed for?

A: Academic institutions, public libraries, and professional researchers needing advanced search, Boolean queries, and instructional integration.

 

CLCD QuickFind PreK–12

 

CLCD Enterprise PreK–12

Q: What is QuickFind?

A: A student- and educator-friendly discovery interface built on topic clusters. Features 375+ subtopics across 40 themes with age-band filtering.

 

Q: Can I filter QuickFind results to my local collection?

A: Yes. Toggle filters to view only books available in your school's or library's holdings.

 

CLCD Class-Shelf Plus

 

Q: What is Class-Shelf Plus used for?

A: Managing classroom collections at the district level. Includes scanning, approval workflows, public transparency, and AI-powered review automation.

 

Q: What is the Traffic Light Risk Rating system?

A: An AI tool that pre-approves ~95% of titles and flags the rest for human review. Saves time and supports policy compliance.

 

Q: Can community members see classroom collections?

A: Yes—once approved, collections can be opened to the public through secure portals.