How to search the library catalog

The following tutorial is a quick introduction to different options for searching the library catalog. It includes brief definitions of the types of searches, tips for successful searching, and sample search exercises.

There are several OPTIONS to search the catalog:

Choose the option most suitable for your purpose:

ADVANCED SEARCH: offers more option for refining your search.
AUTHOR: If you know the author(s) name, click on AUTHOR and enter an author's name:
Typically you'd think of authorship in terms of personal names, but remember this genre also includes corporate or conference names.
KEYWORD: Use word(s) you expect to find in the literature to represent the concept or topic you are searching. You may search single words or a group of words (phrases) found anywhere on the record.
SUBJECT (medical vs. general): The library catalog has a divided subject catalog. Choose MEDICAL to search health and medical topics, and GENERAL for non-medical topics, keeping in mind that certain topics may have literature from both perspectives., i. e. abortion.
EXACT TITLE: Avoid using this option unless you know the complete title. This option is very unforgiving.
CALL NUMBER: If you know the call number location of what you're looking for, this search is equivalent to physically browsing the shelves.
JOURNAL TITLE: Use this search option to find if the library subscribes to a particular journal. This is a good way to find if the library has electronic access to a journal. A hyperlinked note will take you to the publisher's website for prompt access to the article in full-text.

Exercises:

AUTHOR SEARCH:
Search the author: Lynda Juall Carpenito
Search the corporate author: national league for nursing

SEARCH NOW:

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EXACT TITLE SEARCH:
Search: Handbook of nursing diagnosis

SEARCH NOW:

Note: With the exact title search, you must have the complete title to execute a successful search. If you are not sure, or know only part of the title, try a keyword search instead.

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KEYWORD SEARCH:
Search : pediatric nursing care plans

SEARCH NOW:

Note: Apply Boolean operators to add power to a keyword search. Click here for examples of ways to formulate a keyword search using Boolean operators.
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SUBJECT SEARCH:
Search: hypertension

SEARCH NOW:

Note: Notice that the catalog offers dual subject thesauri: medical and general. Select the appropriate thesaurus to do a subject search. Subject searches require use of prescribed terminology. If you don't know the terminology for what you are looking for, you will have better results doing a keyword search instead.
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CALL NUMBER SEARCH:
Search: wy 100

SEARCH NOW:

Note: The Library uses the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classification schedule to organize its biomedical collection. This schedule distributes all of nursing knowledge within the WY section. A call number search is equivalent to browsing the shelves to find books in the same subject categories.

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JOURNAL TITLE SEARCH:
Search: american journal of nursing
Search: nursing administration quarterly

SEARCH NOW:

Note: This is a good way to find if the library subscribes to a particular journal, and also a good way to find if the journal is available electronically. When the journal is in full-text, the catalog record will carry a hyperlink to the digital version where you can click to get to the full-text.
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Help:

Call for library assistance if you have questions: (909) 558-4300, extension 44588 or 44550.
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