Using the Online Catalog

 

Using the Online Catalog Tutorial.ppsx

 

 

 

Go to the Online Catalog by clicking here. 

 

1.  Type your topic in the “Find this” box. Type in just the key (most important) words--usually nouns--and leave out “the” , “and” , “an”, etc.  

 

2.  Next, choose what type of search you want to do: keyword, title keyword, journal title, etc. This tells the computer where you want it to look for your search terms:

 

Keyword Search: Searches for your term in every area, including title, descriptions, publisher, author, etc. This search will yield many results, but many will be irrelevant because your term is just mentioned briefly, and is not necessarily a focus of the book.

 

Title Keyword: This finds only those items that have your search terms in the title. It is a good way to find really relevant items on your topic. You can also use this search if you are looking for a specific book but are unsure of the exact title.

 

Subject Browse:  Use this search to discover Library of Congress Subject Headings for your topic.  Searching by subject headings is an easy, quick way to find all the books on a topic.  Type in your search term, such as poetry, selecting Subject Browse. 

 

You'll see a page of subject headings containing the word poetry.  Click on the grey oval labeled "note" beside #1.  You will find a list of many kinds of poetry, such as children's poetry, lyric poetry, religion in poetry, etc.  Click the links to see titles on these subjects.

 

Left Anchored Title:Use this if you know the exact title of an item, or the first few words. 

 

Author Browse: Find all works (owned by Forsyth Library) by a particular author. Enter the name last name first, followed by the first name, or an initial, if you know it.

 

Journal Title Keyword: search for a full or partial journal, newspaper or magazine title. Click on the title to see the call number and what years/issues of this periodical the library owns.

 

3.  You can leave the third box with "None" selected to search the whole library, or you can limit your search to a particular type of book:

 

     After 2000: Published after 2000.

 

     Ethnic Room:  A part of Special Collections that focuses on Volga German heritage and geneaology.

 

     General Collection:  Books that you can check out, located on the 2nd floor.

 

     Government Documents:  papers published by the Federal & State government and the United Nations.

 

     Juvenile/Harsh Room:  books for children and teens, located in the basement.

 

     Microfilm/Microfiche:  Documents that have been transferred to film, which you can read & print using one of the Microfilm    readers.  Located in the Periodicals Area on the main floor.

 

     Music Library:  sheet music, CDs etc, formerly housed in Malloy Hall, now housed in Forsyth Library.

 

     Periodicals:  Magazines, journals, and newspapers.

 

     Reference:  Fact books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc. 

 

     Reserve:  Books that instructors have made available for a particular class. Hourly, daily or weekly checkout periods, depending on the item.

 

 

     Video-DVD:  DVDs and VHS tapes, located behind the circulation desk on the main floor.

 

     Western Collection: Rare or valuable books that focus on Kansas and the American West.  Located inside Special Collections on the main floor.

 

4.  Click Search.  You will see a list of titles with author and publishing date. On the gray line underneath you will find the location, call number, and status (i.e., if it is checked out or not).  

 

Example: 

Title: The anatomy of hope: how people prevail in the face of illness.

Location: General Collection: Top Floor Call Number: R726.5 G76   Status: Available   

 

NOTE: These searches are explained in the “Tips for Simple Search” box underneath the gray & black search area.

 

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