Search Options
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Searching
Type the keyword you want to find. For example:
- design
- california railroads
| 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
- Subject: Search only subject 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 have a favorite author or subject for which you often search when using the catalog, you can save the search with the click of a button. This will prevent you from having to key in the search each time.
How to:
- Log in to your Library Account.
- Click on the "New Search" button.
- 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 the button marked "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.
Renewals
Library cardholders may renew their own materials online. For most books, the due date is the same day as the expiration date on your reader card. Once you renew your expired reader card, you may renew any checked out books online or at the self-checkout station in the library.
How to:
- Log in to your Library Account.
- If not the default view click the "Items currently checked out" link to view the materials you have checked out.
- Select the materials you want to renew by checking the boxes in the RENEW column and then click the Renew Marked button. If you want to renew everything, click the Renew All button.
- If you cannot renew items, a message will appear on the screen. If you are successful, a new due date will appear in the "STATUS" column. Always check the STATUS column for information on the success or failure of your renewal.
Recalls
Library cardholders may recall a book that is checked out, or place a request on a book that is on order or is being processed. Requests can also be placed on most items in the Botanical Library.
How to:
- Click on the "Request" button. If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to log in to your Library Account.
- The book you requested will appear in the Item Selection Form. Click on the "Request Selected Item" button.
- When you return to your Library Account, you will see the Holds you have placed. Check the "STATUS" column. When the "STATUS" is "Ready" you may pick up the book from the Holdshelf, located in the Catalog of Printed Books area of the library.
- This process usually takes 24 hours.
My Lists
To create a list of records you must be logged in. You can log into your library account either before you do a search, or after you have searched and found items you want to save.
Saving Records- Do a search and click on the checkbox(s) for the record(s) you want to save to a list.
- Click the "Add Marked to My Lists" link. If you are not logged in you will be prompted to login.
- To add records to an existing list, select the name of the list from the pull-down. To create a new list select "create a new list" from the bottom of the pull-down.
- The selected records will be saved to your existing or new list.
- Log into your account.
- If your lists are not on the screen, click the "My Lists" link on the left.
- To delete lists either select the individual list by clicking in the checkbox to the left of the list, or click on the "Delete All" button to delete all of your lists. Once deleted you will have to re-create the list if you make a mistake.
- To Manage a list, click on the list name.
- To export, click on "Export List."
- Click on the appropriate format for the list (we recommend selecting Brief Display).
- To e-mail a list, add your e-mail address.
- Click the submit button to send the email.
- To send the list to the screen so you can cut and paste records select Screen. Formatted records will be sent to the screen.
- To save the list to your computer, select Disk and you will be prompted for a location on your computer where the records will be saved.
- Click on the Remove Duplicate button to have the system look for duplicate records within your list.