Tarleton State University Libraries Unit 5 GETTING STARTED WITH SEARCHES   To begin searching the library catalog, you must 1)  find the catalog, 2)  decide which search interface to use, and 3)  know how to navigate the catalog. The following information will help you accomplish these preliminary steps to using the catalog. The examples below use images from the library catalog at Tarleton State University; however, the ideas are applicable to many online library catalogs. 1) FIND THE CATALOG Select "Search the Catalog" from the libraries' home page. (www.tarleton.edu/~library) 2) DECIDE WHICH SEARCH INTERFACE TO USE Images of the "Quick Search" and "Power Search" interfaces are shown below, along with descriptions of the labeled features. Quick Search This interface works well with searches that require few refinements.   •  Choose method of searching: "keyword" targets all search fields, "browse" gives a search term list, and "exact" limits to precise terms •  Choose which library's collections to search: used to restrict search to one Tarleton library or expand to all Tarleton libraries •  Choose type of search: used to limit searches to specific fields   TOP Power Search This interface works well with searches that require refinements: combining terms, selecting search fields, adding specific limits, and so on.   •  Choose type of search: used to limit searches to specific fields •  Choose boolean operators: allows search refinements using boolean operators (and, or, not) •  Limit by library: used to restrict search to one Tarleton library or expand to all Tarleton libraries •  Add specific limits: used to limit searches in specific ways: language, type (book, video, etc.), location (reference, reserve, etc.), and publication year •  Sort results: changes how results are displayed (i.e. by author, publication year, title, relevance, and so on) •  Access call number search interface: used to search for items by call number   TOP 3) KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THE CATALOG The catalog has navigation features (buttons used to move within the catalog) that appear on all pages in the catalog and some that only appear on the search results pages. Images and explanations of these navigation features are below. Navigation features that appear on all pages of the catalog: •  Search/Home: links to the Quick Search page •  Go Back: goes to the previous page except on search results pages (see below) •  Help: links to search tips and information about the catalog and its features •  Logout: exits the catalog and personal accounts & returns to library homepage   TOP Navigation features that appear on search results pages in the catalog: •  Limit Search: links to a search interface at the bottom of the page so the current search can be modified •  New Search: links directly to the Quick Search page •  Previous: goes to the previous page of search results and is used instead of the browser's "Back to" button   Next: advances to the next page of search results and is used instead of the browser's "Forward to" button   Cross Refs: links to a list of cross referenced search terms, which can be searched •  Kept: goes to a list of search results items that you have marked for future use   Unit 5: Overview & Goals Searching the Catalog   Library Orientation Site Index Updated 8/2004