Why waste time visiting dozens of different web sites each time you get online when you can gather all your favorites in one spot? Savvy internet users use customized start pages, like iGoogle, to save time and hassle. With iGoogle, you can pick and choose what content and features appear on your home page. For instance, you can add news headlines from your area of interest, local weather forecast, your latest email messages - and now you can also access Dibner Library's online catalog! Click on the thumbnails below to see larger images of sample iGoogle pages:

 How does it work? First sign in to your Google account (if you don't have one, it's easy to create one). Click the iGoogle link in the top-right corner of the Google homepage. Start adding "widgets" (or "gadgets" as Google calls them) to personalize your page by clicking the "Add stuff" link. Widgets are small applications that make it easy to customize your home page or any other web page. The library widget includes a built in search box for PolyCat, the online catalog, and links to popular library services. To add the library gadget to your iGoogle page click on in the lower left corner. iGoogle is just one option when it comes personal home pages. If you'd like to explore others, read 10 Ajax Start Pages to Consider.