Transcript Bertha Smith Library

Luther Rice University
Bertha Smith Library
Learning to Use the
Online Library Catalog
Click on the “Catalog Search” link from the Main Menu in the Library
Home page at http://library.lru.edu/.
Catalog Layout
Spectrum offers
a very userfriendly search
interface.
Search terms
are typed into
the text boxes,
Search types
are listed in
drop down
boxes,
And several
large icons
across the
bottom of the
screen offer
other options.
Searching the Catalog
To run a
search, enter a
search term
into the text
box.
Then choose
the type of
search from the
pull down menu
to the left of the
text box.
The “Subject”
And
“Key
“Title”
“Author”
“Call
the “ISBN”
Words”
Number”
search
search
search
and
search
looks
search
“LCCN”
finds
finds
only
finds
the
looks
the
searches
through
names
the
term
forterm
items
inthe
ofthe
focus
in
the
title
any
near
subject
author(s).
on
lists.
major
specific
anheadings
items
category,
call number.
field.
such
as subject headings,
International
Standardauthor,
Book Number
title, contents,
and Library
etc. of Congress
Classification Number, respectively.
Searching the Catalog
To run a
search, enter a
search term
into the text
box.
Then choose
the type of
search from the
pull down menu
to the left of the
text box.
You can also
use the three
“Boolean
Searches” to
refine or
expand your
search results
The “And
“OR”
search
search
looks
looks
for
for
theterms.
first,
term.but
This
notrefines
expands
the second
results.
term.
“And”
WithNot”
search
all of
your
looks
search
forEITHER
BOTH
terms
enter,
click
This
results.
This refines
results.
“Search”
Searching the Catalog
The results page displays material titles that match the criteria of your search, their
the title of
thematerial
materialtype.
that Notice
interests
you
for more
information.
author,Click
call number,
and
that
E-books
use
dewey decimal
numbers.
Accessing Results
On this page
you see the
call number
and
bibliographic
information,
such as title,
author,
ISBN, etc.
This page
also shows
the item’s
subject
heading(s)
and any
added
entries.
Any of the hyperlinked texts can be clicked to perform a new search
using this keyword. For example, clicking “Temple Mount
(Jerusalem)” will search for items with that specific subject heading.
Searching the Catalog
If the
material is
available,
use the
bibliographic
information
when
submitting
requests for
books from
the Library.
To find out if
an item is
available,
click “Show
Copies.”
If the “Status” column says “In”, then the item is available.
If the “Status” column says “Out”, then the item has been
checked out by another patron.
If the “Status” column says “Lost”, then the item is no longer in
the Library and needs to be replaced.
Advanced Search Tips
The Online Catalog includes several features that can make searching and referencing
easier. Some of these include:
• The Bookbag: Select your item and click “Bookbag” at the bottom of the page, and it will be
stored and kept in future references. Useful when building a bibliography
• Bibliography: On the results page, click “Bibliography” to display in print format the
bibliographic entries for all items in your bookbag.
• Clicking the “Keep” box on the results page lets you run a new search but have the selected
items reappear on the new results page, regardless of whether or not the items fit the search
criteria. This is a useful feature if you want to keep track of a particular item but need to do
more searches.
• To reserve a book online, click the “Copies” button beside each item on the results page.
Click “Reserve” on the following page. PLEASE DO NOT PLACE BOOKS ON RESERVE
THAT HAVE COPIES LISTED AS AVAILABLE!
• Sometimes, it is useful browse the call numbers near an item of interest. This has exactly
the same result as going to a physical shelf and seeing what is near an item. As materials are
mostly shelved with like-materials, this can be a great way to find other sources.
• Be sure to remember that some items are E-Books. These can be accessed directly without
contacting the Library. Simply click the weblink at the bottom of the title info page to take you
to the book (hosted at NetLibrary). A tutorial on searching and accessing E-Books is also
available on the Library website.
For further help . . .
Congratulations! You’ve completed the Bertha
Smith Online Library Catalog tutorial. If you
have any further questions, you can:
Request assistance from any of the Library staff, or
 Send questions to [email protected] or call 770-484-1204
ext. 263.

Happy researching!