Use the catalog to locate books, journal tiles, videos, DVDs, CDs, maps...
1. From the library's homepage, you can use the catalog search box to conduct several different types of searches, including keyword, title, author, and subject. You can also go to the main catalog page, simply labeled "Catalog" on the library homepage.
2. When you conduct a search in the main catalog page, the catalog automatically searches for all the words that you enter across the most common fields, including author, title, and subject. For example, a search for "Shakespeare" as a keyword will return books by Shakespeare, about Shakespeare, and with the word "Shakespeare" in the title.
3. Using the drop-down menu, you may limit your search to only the title, journal title, author, subject, or ISBN/ISSN.
When searching for a title, you may include the initial articles ("a" or "the") in the search. When searching for an author, you do not have to invert the author's name. For example, a search for "Jane Austen" and "Austen, Jane" will return the same results. You may also search for partial titles or author names using these same search features.
4. Searching by Subject Heading can be tricky. For example, the Subject Heading for cookbooks is "Cookery," not "Cookbooks."
Since searching by subject heading can be tricky, we recommend the following search strategy:
5. If you want more search options, such as limiting your search to a specific library or collection, you can select the Advanced Search tab.
Here you can search for different words or phrases in multiple fields. For example, you could specify that you want to search for the title Othello, by Shakespeare.
The Advanced Search also allows you to limit your search by library location, language, format, and publication date.
6. The search results page has many tools to assist you continue your search. At the top of the screen, there is a search box where you can revise or start a new search. Below that on the left is a box that shows you your search criteria. You may select the red 'x' next to any of that criteria to remove it from the search.
To the right of the search box is a link to the Triangle Research Library Network, where you can expand your search to include the libraries at Duke, NCSU, and NCCU.
7. After you have performed your search, you may want to start looking at different catalog records or you may decide to refine your search results. On the left side of your search results, you will see options to help you narrow your search results more easily. For example, you may select "Available" to see only items that are checked in. You may also select a location to see only items held by that location, select the format of the item you'd like to find, or narrow down the subject by selecting a recommended subject link.
If you scroll down the page, you'll find the sidebar continues. Here, you can also refine your search by Medical Subject, publication year, author, language, call number range, region, or new titles.
8. Once you have performed your search and retrieved a list of search results, you will see information about each of your results, including the title, author, publisher and date(s) of publication. In addition, each record indicates the resource's location, format, the call number, and its availability.
9. Select the title to view the catalog record for more detailed information.
By selecting the tabs toward the bottom of the record, you can see more details about the book. If you aren't sure if the book fits your research needs, you may want to use these tabs to read more. Depending on the book, you may even be able to read the table of contents or the first chapter.
At the right side of the catalog record is a list of links where you can email the record to yourself, print the record, get the MLA, APA, or CSE/CBE citations for the item, or even text message the call number and location to yourself. You can also export the record to RefWorks or del.icio.us. The link at the bottom is for Carolina BLU, which allows you to request the item if it is checked out, or request it to be delivered to a more convenient location for pick up.
"Ask a Librarian" if you need help!
http://www.lib.unc.edu/ask.html
