Library : Online Catalog Tutorial

Tips for Keyword: Keep search terms simple! 

Use * for variations in spelling and plurals
Examples:
Orthop*edics also covers Orthopaedics
Radiolog* covers Radiology, Radiologic, Radiological, Radiologist and how to make a more focused search:

• Limit a search by format, such as Book, DVD, VHS and more.

• Sort by publication date, author, or title to make desired results easier to scan.
• Use Boolean AND, OR, NOT to combine search terms.  Try this sample search on your own.

Tips for Browse: Browse search terms are listed in alphabetical order. 

A Browse search of Title A-Z is useful only if you know the first word of the title.

A Browse search of Author A-Z is the quickest way to find information when you already know the author's last name but need to find the correct first name.   

A Browse search of Subject A-Z is also the best choice when the searcher wants to explore the alphabetical list of subject headings.

Helpful “cross-references” are only available in Browse subject searching.
These See and See Also references provide valuable hints to alternative subject terms.

Click link to see the cross-references for this subject term:
Practice Management, Chiropractic 

Unfortunately, you cannot use * in Browse for spelling variations. 
But you can use word roots in Browse searching to view all terms that begin with the same letter(s). 
Example:
Browse Subject A-Z: spin shows an alphabetical list of subject headings beginning with “Spin”. The list includes Spina Bifida, Spinal Cord, Spinal Diseases, Spine — anatomy & histology, Spine — radiography, etc.

Practice using Boolean terms in Keyword searching

You can use the Boolean terms AND and OR to combine search terms to optimize your search strategy.
Try these examples on your own to experience how it works.
 
Boolean term AND narrows the search

In this search, 
Author or Name Keyword = murphy   AND
Any Word or Words = pediatric*     

Your search results will list only those materials by Murphy that have the word Pediatric or Pediatrics anywhere in the title, subject heading, or content description. 

Boolean term OR broadens the search
Let's say that you want see all the videos by either Dr. Walton or Dr. Hickey, because you know each presents classes about extremities. You want to see whatever is available in VHS or DVD format.

In this search:
Author or Name Keyword = Walton OR
Author or Name Keyword = Hickey
Limit = Video All

Finding which videos can be copied

To find videos in the library catalog when you know the author:

• Author keyword = [ name of speaker ]
• Limit = Video All

To find videos in the library catalog when you know the topic:

• General keyword = [ topic or title word—keep it simple! ]
• Limit = Video All

To find out if copying is permitted for each video of interest:

• Look for this phrase below the title (if more than one record is listed as a result of your search)
• Look for this phrase in the Reproduction Note (if only one record is on your display) 

(C) Library patrons can purchase a copy for home use only. 

More Features

The most important links on the OPENING SCREEN of the library's catalog are: My Account and Search.

• “My Account” requires individuals to login using their library barcode number, in order to view current status of materials checked out, due dates, holds, fines, etc.

• “Search” tab leads to three options for searching: Keyword, Browse, and My History.   My History stores previous searches in the current browser session only. 

An important link on the RESULTS SCREEN, after you have entered a search, is My List.

• "My List” is a virtual bookbag where titles selected from search results are temporarily stored. My List stores the selected titles in the current browser session only, and for a limited amount of time.  No login is required.