Searching the Library Catalog > 2: Catalog Search Tips

2A: Overview of Catalog Searches

Catalog Search	Description	Example [Click links to view sample searches]
Author	Use this search to find all works written by an author. An author may be a person or an organization.	Morrison, Toni
Title	Use this search when you know all or part of a title.	Beloved: a novel Beloved
Author/title combination	Use this search when you have all of this information.	Morrison, Toni and Beloved
Keyword	Keywords are words occurring in author names, titles, subject headings, publisher names or contents notes of catalog records. Use this all-purpose search when you are not sure which subject to use or other searches don't produce needed results.	Toni Morrison Beloved criticism
Subject	Use this "controlled vocabulary" search to find works about a topic or an author.	Morrison, Toni -- Criticism and interpretation
Call Number	Each unique work in the catalog has its own call number. Call numbers are created by the library and printed on item labels. Because of the way they are structured, they bring works on the same topic or by the same author together, so that you can browse library shelves to find related sources.	PS3563.O75 B4 2000

2B: Search Tips

To search any library catalog effectively, follow these general guidelines:

• Be specific. For example, if you are looking for a particular book and know both author and title, do an AUTHOR/TITLE search.

• Read all information on the catalog screens. Instructions, examples and searching hints are available throughout the catalog, as shown in the illustration below.

  

• Adjust your search as needed.
  • Too many results?  Use the LIMIT option to filter your search results. You can limit to a specific library location, publication date, type of material, language, etc.

  • Too few results?  Add more search words (connected by the Boolean operator OR) to expand results.

    Example: lawyer OR attorney OR counsel

  • Experiment! If you don't find what is expected, try a KEYWORD search to identify a useful record. Then click on a useful subject heading in that record to continue your search in a more focused manner.

  • Ask for help. Staff in all OSU Libraries locations are always glad to assist.

  Activity

  Browse this list of Catalog Help screens.

  [Site opens in new window.]

  Pop Quiz

  If you find too much information in the Library Catalog: choose one Use Medical Subject headings Add more search terms connected by OR Limit your search by publication date, etc.

  Correct answer: [NOTE: Score is not recorded]
  

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