Search Tips and Hints
Searching the Library Catalogue
Quick Search
Allows you to find results quickly. Simply enter a word or a number of words which you want to find.Click on the dropdown arrow to choose what to search for (e.g. Author or Subject), then click the OK button. You will get results if all the words you entered show up in the search you chose. If your search is successful you will see a page of results showing brief details. Click on a title link to see full details including library and availability.
Title Search
Allows you to search for words in the title or series title and also allows you to browse through titles beginning with certain words. Enter the words you would like to find, choose the type of search then click the OK button. Choose from the following types of searches:
- Keywords to find the words anywhere in the title
- Browse to find titles starting with the text you have entered
- Phrase to find titles with the words you have entered in a sequence
If your search is successful you will see a page of titles. Click on a title to see brief details of the items with this title.
Author Search
Allows you to search for words in an author's name. Authors include people, e.g. JK Rowling, and organisations, e.g. Greendale County Council. Enter the words you would like to find, choose the type of search then click the OK button. Choose from the following types of searches:
- Keywords to find the words anywhere in the author's name
- Browse to find author names starting with the text you have entered. You can enter as much or as little of the name as you know. All names starting with the text you enter will be displayed.
If your search is successful you will see a page of names. Click on a name to see brief details of the items by this person or organisation, or linked to them.
Subject Search
Allows you to search for words in a subject heading and also allows you to browse through subjects starting with what you enter. Enter the words you want to find, choose the type of search then click the OK button. Choose from the following types of searches:
- Keywords to find the words anywhere in the subject heading
- Browse to find subjects starting with what you have entered
- Phrase to find subjects with the words you have entered in order together
If your search is successful you will see a page of subject headings. Click on a subject heading to see brief details of the items about this subject.
Advanced Search
Allows you to perform more complicated searches. Type the words you want in the boxes on the search screen. You can enter several words in each box, and enter words in any number of boxes. You will get results if all of the words you enter are in the same record.
You can do a very specific search if you know exactly what you are looking for, or you can do a broader search and then narrow down the list of results later using the Refine Set option, if needed. Enter words you would like to find in the boxes, or choose items from the list boxes. Click the right arrow at the right hand side of a list box to see the list. When you have entered your search words or selected items from list boxes click the OK button at the bottom of the screen.
If your search is successful you will see a page of items showing brief details for each item. Click on a title link to see full details for the item.