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Searching
Type the keyword you want to find. For example:
- design
- bleachers grisham
| Wildcards |
Words may be right-hand truncated using an asterisk ('*') in place of other characters. The '*' wildcard may also be embedded in a search string. You may use '?' to replace a single character anywhere within a word. Examples : environment* polic*, wom?n |
|---|---|
| Boolean Operators |
Use "and" or "or" to specify multiple words in any field, any order. Use "and not" to exclude words. Example : stocks and bonds Example : (alaska or canada) and (adventure and not vacation) |
| Field limits | A field limit causes the system to search only the specified field for the specified word(s). |
| Grouping | Keyword search results are usually grouped by relevance to bring the most likely titles to the top of the list. Each group represents a similar level of relevance and results are sorted within the group by date or title. To get an ungrouped result set, use boolean operators to form a complex query. |
Advanced Keyword Search Tips
Multiple Words
When searching multiple words the system will automatically supply the Boolean "and" operator between each word; multiple words entered for the search will all occur somewhere in the retrieved records though not necessarily in the order entered. Both examples on the right will retrieve the same results.
Examples
Using multiple words:
university science department
university and science and department
Phrase Searches
Search for complete phrases by enclosing them in quotation marks. Words enclosed in double quotes will appear together in all results exactly as typed.
Examples
A phrase Search:
"university science department"
Wildcards
* Matches any number of non-space characters, starting at the specified position in the word. For example, "comput*" will match all words that begin with "comput" (e.g., "computer", "computation", etc.).
The '*' wildcard may also be embedded in a search string.
? You may use a question mark ('?') to replace a single character anywhere within a word.
Boolean Operators
Use AND or OR to specify multiple words in any field, any order. Use AND NOT to exclude words. Select the operator you wish to use from the selection list on the Advanced Search form.
Examples
Using Boolean operators:
stocks and bonds
stocks or bonds
stocks and not bonds
Field Limits
Field limits may be specified by selecting a field limit from the selection list. These limits appear before the word or phrase to be searched. A field limit causes the system to search only the specified field for the specified word(s).
Field Limits and their meanings:
- Author: Search only author fields
- Title: Search only title fields
- Subject: Search only subject fields
- Note: Search only note fields
Grouping
Keyword search results are usually grouped by relevance to bring the most likely titles to the top of the list. Each group represents a similar level of relevance and results are sorted within the group by date or title. To get an ungrouped result set, use boolean operators to form a complex query.
Most relevant titles
Highly relevant titles
Very relevant titles
Relevant titles
Other relevant titles
Saving your searches
If you frequently search the catalog for a favorite author or subject, you can save the search with the click of a button. This will keep you from having to key in the search each time you use the catalog and let you place reserves on new materials quicker.
How to:
- Log in to your library account.
- Click on New Search.
- Search for your favorite author, subject, title, etc. or create an advanced keyword search including limits to material type, language, publication year, etc.
- When your results are displayed, click Save as Preferred Search.
- The next time that you log in to your library account, you can click the Preferred Searches button to see a list of your saved searches.
- Click on the Search link associated with any of the preferred search terms in the list to quickly execute your search.
- You can be alerted of new materials added to the library collection which match your searches. Just check the Mark for Email box and be sure that your library account includes your current email address.
Renewals
Library cardholders may renew their own materials online. Items may be renewed up to three times with the exception of DVDs and videocassettes which may not be renewed. In addition, it is not possible to renew items that have been requested by another borrower. Click here for more information on the library's borrowing policy.
How to:
- Log in to your library account.
- Click on Items Currently Checked Out (if it is not the default) in order to view the materials you have checked out.
- Check the box next to the item you wish to renew and click Renew Marked. If you would like to renew everything, click Renew All.
- The new due date will appear in the Status column. If the items cannot be renewed, a message will appear on the screen. Always check the Status column for information on the success or failure of your renewal.
Saved Records
It is possible to keep track of titles that interest you during your catalog session by using the Saved Records Bag. The records will be saved temporarily in the bag so you cannot access the same Saved Records Bag later on a different computer. You do not have to log in to use it.
To save a record from the search results list, check the box next to the item and then click on Add Marked to Saved Records Bag or click Add All On Page to save all the entries on the page.
From the full record of a title, click on Add to Saved Records Bag to save it.
To review the items in the Saved Records Bag, click on View Bag.
From the list in your bag you can choose to:
- Check the box next to the record and click on Request Saved to place a hold on the item. (Your library card must be in good standing to place a hold.) You will be prompted to log in to your library account to complete the request.
- Check the box next to the record and click on Add to My Wish Lists to add the item to your Wish Lists to view it at a later time. You will be prompted to log in to your library account.
- Check the box next to the record and click on Export Saved to export the record. You will be given the option to email, save, or view the selected titles on the screen.
To empty the Saved Records Bag, click on Empty Bag.
My Wish Lists
You can save records in your library account to view at a later time.
To do this from the search results list, check the box next to the item and then click on Add Marked to My Wish Lists.
From the full record of a title, click on Add to My Wish Lists to save it.
You will be prompted to log in to your library account.
Once you are logged in, you will be asked to either create a new list or add the item to an existing list.
In order to access your Wish Lists in the future, log in to your library account and click on the My Wish Lists link to view the titles on your lists.
PINs
It is now necessary to establish a PIN in order to access your library account online. Click on My Library Account to create your PIN.
How to:
- Enter your name, barcode, and what you’d like your PIN to be (it must be at least 4 characters and should use letters and numbers only), then click Submit.
- Your name and barcode will be filled in at the top. Enter your PIN again and then another time to confirm and click Submit.
- At this point your PIN has been established and you will be logged in to your library account.
- If you forget an already existing PIN, click on the Forget Your PIN? link and you will be prompted to enter your name and barcode. A link to reset your PIN will be sent to the email address associated with your account.