Catalog FAQs and Search Hints

How do I search for a book in the catalog? How do I find a video or a CD? How do I search for ISBN or ISSN or call number? Can I search for a phrase or an exact match? Can I browse for authors or titles or call numbers? How do I select records to print or email? Will the new catalog help me with spelling? What is the "cite this" option? Can I sort my results list? What is the Browse Results by Call Number option?		Can I renew a book? Can I export citations to RefWorks? Can I search the Union Catalog of the State Universities of Florida? Can I do the same search in other libraries and Google Books? Can I text-message a call number? What is Permalink? What is RSS? Are there advanced Boolean search options in this catalog? Where can I find more information about the State University Libraries of Florida catalog implementation.

How do I search for a book in the library catalog?

To search for a particular book, just enter the book title in the basic search box. You may select title from the drop-down box on the right, but it is usually not necessary.
To search by topic, simply enter a couple of keywords in the basic search box and then narrow your results by using the selections on the left to narrow your search by location, format, subject, author, etc.
You may also use the "Search begins with" option to search using the first few words of a title. Do not use beginning articles: a, an, the.
When using the author "Search begins with" option, type the author's last name first.

Just enter your title or keywords in the search box.
When you get a list of results select Video from the format facet on the left.
You may have to select More to see the format you want.
Or -- you can use the Advanced Search screen and select video from the format limiter.

Just enter your number in the basic search box. It will search for any kind of number automatically.

Use quotes to force a phrase.
Use quotes to find a certain spelling. Example -- "behavioural" science
Use quotes when you want an exact match. Example -- "webster's" will only find the word if it has an apostrophe.

Select "Search begins with" and choose which index you would like to browse -- author, title, Library of Congress Call Number, or Government Document Call Number.
Remember that you must not use initial articles (a, an, the) in a title browse.
Type the author's last name first for an author browse.

You may print or email a record by using the task buttons at the bottom of each record.
You can also export a citation to RefWorks by clicking the RefWorks icon.
To select several records, click the "Add" button to add your selection to a folder.
When you have added all your selections, select "My folder".
Select the type of view you would like - brief, long, or MARC record.
You can choose to email or print the list.
You can also select to export the list to RefWorks.
"Start over" clears out your search and presents a new search screen -- but keeps your selections in your folder.
"End session" clears out your search and your folder.

When you select the "cite this" icon, you will see how your item should look in your bibliography/reference list.

Yes! The catalog automatically returns your results sorted by relevance. You can change that option if you wish.

When you have a set of results on the screen, you can choose to browse the results by Library of Congress call number area or by Superintendent of Documents call number area.
For example, if you do a broad search in history, you can then select Browse Results by Library of Congress to see items about the history of music or political science or medicine, etc.

You can export one citation at a time by selecting the RefWorks icon at the bottom of a record.
Or - you can add several items to your folder and export them all at once.
Check your bibliography carefully! This is new technology and will not always work perfectly.

Yes! After you do a search, you can select to also search the Union Catalog by selecting the link at the bottom left of the facet.
Your same search will automatically be re-initiated in the Union Catalog.
If you would like to begin your search in the Union Catalog, you can do so here.

Yes! You can automatically re-initate your search by selecting WorldCat or Google Books from the bottom of the facet.
WorldCat searches libraries all over the world.
Google Books may give you more information about a book -- or you may be able to get the full text if it is out of copyright or has publisher permission.

Yes! Simply select the text-message icon to text the call number and location of an item.

When you click on the title of an item, you will see an option called "Permalink" beside the option to print.
When you click on Permalink, the long URL will be shortened to a permanent URL. You will always be able to get back to this exact title using that shortened link -- called a Permalink.

RSS -- Really Simple Syndication.
If you are doing research on a particular subject, you will want to see the new items (books, government documents, videos, etc.) on your topic as soon as the library gets them. If you set up an RSS feed, you can do just that.
First you need an RSS reader. Internet Explorer 7 or 8 or the current Firefox support RSS feeds. There are many others you can use. Here's a list of feed aggregators.
Do your search in the catalog. When the results list is on the screen, select the RSS icon .
Select "Subscribe to this Feed".
Now, every time the catalog is updated, you will see any new items that match your search.

Yes, but they will rarely be needed. The search algorithms, relevancy ranking and the use of the facets will almost always find what you need.
These are the available Boolean operators: and, or, not.
Example: "Subjects":(knitting or weaving)
Example: "Main Author":jones and "Title A-Z":thin red
Example: "Subjects": software not business
In addition to the examples above, here is a partial list of other headings that can be used: Main Uniform Title, Uniform Title, Series index, Table of Contents, Notes, Edition, ISBN, Call Number, SuDoc Call Number

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