HOW DO I …?  SEARCH THE LIBRARY CATALOG  

Basic Search

Words Anywhere - Keyword search of words from any field (author, title, subject, contents, etc.)

• Always use quotation marks (“ “) for phrases: “right to die”
• AND is the default connector

• Use a question mark (?) to truncate a term: leg? (legal, legalize, legislate, etc.).

• Use quick limits to limit a keyword search

• Instead of using “and,” put a plus sign (+) before each word or phrase:

Ex: +”right to die” +(law or leg?) 

Author Browse (click on tab above search box):  Last name, first name: ex. BECKER, GEORGE

Author Words:  enter author's name in any order, use search as phrase, ex. "George Becker"

Title Words:  Keyword search using only words from the title of the book

Title (begins w/): If title starts with article (the, a, or an), drop it: SUN ALSO RISES

Journal/Newspaper Title (begins w/): Search complete title (no abbreviation). Drop initial article (just as you would searching book titles)

Journal/Newspaper Title Words:  Keyword search using words from the name of the journal
PLEASE NOTE the LIBRARY HAS field to be sure the library has the date and volume you need.

Subject Heading Browse or Subject Words (Keyword Search):

Success depends on using the same headings used in the catalog:

Ex: “Right to Die”  (This heading is used, as well as Euthanasia, Suicide)

Ex: “World War II” (this subject heading is not used, see World War 1939-1945)

Advanced Search

• Guided Keyword search
   

  Allows for more flexibility in searching. You can combine search words/phrases and limit your search to specific fields.

   

• “LIMIT BY” or “SET MORE LIMITS"

Using this feature will restrict your results by location, language, format, etc.  (This feature does not work for subject, author or call number searches.).  Limits may also be applied to a results list, select a limit from the box on the right.

Other Catalog Features

• Course Reserve tab
  • Lists items on reserve (to read items on electronic reserve, use the E-Reserve link on the library's homepage)
     
• Print, Email or Save
  • Above and below your results, you will see an option to print, email or export your records or search history. Be sure to enter your complete email address: jjone123@uwsp.edu
     
• Personalized options (require login) - Check your account, renew books, create a list of items, or view your search history.

• New Items tab - lists the newest additions to the UWSP library collection

• Universal Borrowing:  Click on Search other Library Catalogs, select the catalogs, complete a search, then use Make a Request link on the right.