Transcript Searching the Catalog at the Earl K. Long Library

Searching the Catalog
at the
Earl K. Long Library
What You Will Learn
»How to do a/an
• Title search
• Author search
• Keyword search
»Understanding what you find
You are probably familiar with the library homepage:
http://library.uno.edu.
Title Searches
When searching for a particular title, it is
important to remember certain things.
1. Drop the initial article (the, a, an)
2. Spelling counts…A LOT!
Now let’s start with a search for The Great Gatsby.
Notice that we
dropped “the”
from the title.
Since we are
searching for a title,
we select the title
option.
Since we know that is
the exact title, we will
choose the exact
option.
Notice that we found 6
items.
Notice we still have
the same options and
text here…
Except this time, we’ll
try browse. This is
really handy if you
aren’t sure of the exact
title, but have an idea
of what the title starts
with.
Notice the difference
between this page and the
first one.
You can click on any of the links above to see more records. It’s not as
exact as the “exact” search, but it is still pretty organized.
Notice we still have
the same options and
text here…
Except this time, we’ll
try keyword. This is
good if you only know
a couple of words of
the title, but you are
unsure of their order,
etc.
Notice that we found 17
items this time…9 more
than the exact search.
Title Searching
So now you know how to do a title search. Let’s
review…
• Choose “exact” when you know what the title is.
• Choose “browse” when you know the beginning of the title.
• Choose “keyword” when you know a few words in the title, but
aren’t sure of the exact title.
Notice that “exact” searches retrieve less records
than “keyword” searches.
Author Search
Author searches can be the easiest way to find a particular
book, but it can also be the easiest search to mess up.
Spelling an author’s last name can often be tricky. Be
prepared to search a few different possible spellings until
the hit the right one.
Always remember to search for an author by the last name
first, followed by a comma and the first name. For
example, J.K. Rowling would be “Rowling, J.K.”
Now let’s start with a search for Stephen King.
Notice the way the
name is entered:
last name, first name
Since we are
searching for an
author, we select the
author option.
Since we think we
know the exact name of
the author, we will
choose the exact
option.
This looks like what we
want…
Notice the similar call numbers.
If you want to browse books by
Stephen King, find the area
with the general call number of
PS 3561 .I483.
Notice we still have
the same options and
text here…
Except this time, we’ll
try browse. This is
really handy if you
aren’t sure of the exact
author.
Notice the same results
are retrieved...
Notice we still have
the same options and
text here…
Except this time, we’ll
try keyword.
Notice that this search takes you
directly to the records…
Also notice that this search
retrieves records that may not be
what you are looking for…
Author Searching
Now you know how to search for an item by
author. Let’s review…
• Search for the author: last name, first name
• “Browse” and “exact” options retrieve the same information
• “Keyword” may bring up items that have nothing to do with what
the user wants.
Keyword Searching
Keyword is the most general way to search, and
it is the way most people tend to search.
Keyword searching will retrieve the most
records. However, it will also retrieve the
largest number of irrelevant items, too.
Let’s try a search for the term Google.
Choose words or phrase…
Choose Keyword.
Notice that the keyword
search brought up 47 items.
Not all of these items,
however, will be what you
want.
Keyword Searching
This type of searching can be a really great place
to start when you begin doing research. You
will learn more about searching the catalog as
you continue to use the library.
Remember…you can always ask for help at the
Reference Desk.
Understanding the Catalog
Each item in the library has a record. This is what we search
for in the catalog.
Of course, the record gives you the title, author, and
publishing information of an item, but it can do so much
more! It can also give you the call number, location, and
format of the item. This is what you will really need
when you are trying to find something you want.
Let’s use Gone with the Wind as an example.
Since we are
searching for a title,
we select the title
option.
Since we know the
exact title of the book,
we will choose the
exact option.
The item appears to be available and can be
found in the regular book shelves under the
call number: PS 3525 .I972 G6
To find where the call number
PS 3525 .I972 G6 is, click on the
“Shelf Location Chart” link.
This chart can help
you find just about
anything in the library.
For instance, the
call number we are
looking for
(PS 3525 .I972 G6)
will be found on the
first floor, aisle two.
Remember that
you can always
ask for help at the
Reference Desk
or the
Circulation Desk!
Important Information
Make sure that you always write down the
location AND the call number. One without
the other is useless. You’ll see why in the next
few slides.
Think of them together as an address. There are
two parts of the address:
1. The number (2000)
2. The location (Lakeshore Drive)
The Number…
If I tell you that I’m having a party, knowing that
the number of the house is 2000 won’t help
you unless you know what street.
2000 K Ave?
2000 Martin St?
2000 Main St?
2000 Ford Dr?
The Location...
Knowing the street without the number won’t
help, either…if you start at the beginning of
Lakeshore Dr., it would take you dozens of
100 Lakeshore Dr.
blocks to reach the right house.
2000 Lakeshore Dr.
Now let’s do a
search for the
Encyclopedia of
American folklife.
Since we are
searching for a title,
we select the title
option.
Since we know the
exact title of the book,
we will choose the
exact option.
The item appears to be available and can be found in the Reference section
under the call number: GR 105 .E53 2006.
Remember, items in reference are for use IN the library.
Let’s search for a
book: Tapping the
Government
Grapevine.
Since we are
searching for a title,
we select the title
option.
Since we know the
exact title of the book,
we will choose the
exact option.
This is an e-book. This means that you can view the
book online, often from home! These are the different
clues that this is an online resource.
To access the book, click on URL.
When you click on the URL link in the
catalog, the book will pop up in
another window…one like this one.
Let’s see what a
title that isn’t
available looks
like…
Since we are
searching for a title,
we select the title
option.
Since we know the
exact title of the book,
we will choose the
exact option.
This is the title we
are looking for…
Click here to
place a hold.
The item is checked out…so there is no
sense in sending look for the item. Instead,
visit the reference desk to learn how to
place a hold or ILL the item.
This is what the place hold form looks like.
Let’s see what a
title we don’t
own looks like…
Since we are
searching for a title,
we select the title
option.
Since we know the
exact title of the book,
we will choose the
exact option.
Notice that “Library Blogging”
falls between “Library binding
manual” and “Library book
catalog” in the alphabet.
What if a book isn’t in the catalog?
It’s good idea to verify that a book isn’t available by
following up with
• A second title search, using the keyword option
• If you know the author, try an author search
If both fail to bring up what you are looking for, ask at the
Reference Desk for assistance. If we really don’t own
it, have no fear! Your librarian can tell you all about
ILL. ILL stands for InterLibrary Loan—our library
borrows the book from another library for you!
Conclusion
This concludes the introduction to the catalog. As you
continue to use the library, you will learn more about
the catalog and other resources the library offers!
Don’t forget…when in doubt, ask a librarian!
Created by
Sonnet Brown, Federal Documents/Reference Librarian
[email protected]
5 August 2009