New Library System

To access the advanced search, click on the words "Advanced Search" to the right of the basic search box. 

If you are using a mobile device, tap the three dots in the top left corner of your screen, then tap the words "Advanced Search".

Access advanced search on a PC.

Access Advanced Search on a mobile device.

Search Query Builder

The query builder is the main purpose of the advanced search in your library's catalog. Use this builder to create specific searches, or queries, to find the information you need. 

Fields

You can search all fields or narrow the search to a particular field. Examples of fields to search include author and title.

A "field" is a certain part of each item's information. The collective information that the library catalog searches for a particular item is called that item's record. Each piece of information within the record is called a field. These fields serve the same purpose across each record; the Title field always has the title information within it, the Author field always has the author information within it, and so on.

As an example, think of a song you like. That song has a record of information. What is the name of the song? Who wrote it? When was it released? What genre of music does it fall into/ All of this information goes in particular fields within the song's informational record. 

Search Credentials

You can specify how you want the terms searched:

• contains - Returns results that contain all words in the phrase, but the words may be in a different order and may not be as close together.
• contains exact phrase - Returns results for searches within author, Title, and Subject fields that contain phrases that exactly match the phrase specified in the query. For example, an author search for "contains exact phrase 'Williams, John D." may also return records with "Williams, John, d. 1683" in the Author field.
• starts with - Returns results that contain words that start with the specified term. This type performs title searches only and starts from the left side. 

Operators

Operators - You can use AND, OR, and NOT when entering your search terms in the search box. Operators will allow you to narrow or broaden your search. In addition, the Operator drop-down list enables you to select the operator that is used between search lines. 

• AND: Narrows your search by requiring both terms to be present. For example, "climate change AND impacts" finds resources containing both terms.
• OR: Broadens your search by finding resources with either term. "Renewable energy OR solar power" will retrieve resources related to either term.
• NOT: Excludes a term from your search. "Renewable energy NOT wind power" will find resources on renewable energy but exclude those related to wind power. 

Search Query Example

Here is an example of an advanced search using operators. Resources returned will include either "pet therapy", "dogs", or "canines" anywhere in their record. They will also include either "mental health" or "anxiety" anywhere in the record. Finally, all resources returned will include the keyword "college students" anywhere in the record.

Note the query preview at the bottom of this image - this gives a linear example of the search query you've built. It can be helpful to visualize your query this way if a complex search is becoming overwhelming. Don't forget that you can always ask your library staff for help when building queries - they are here to help you!

Advanced Search Overview

Advanced Search allows you to perform more complex searches and is a great option if you have multiple search items or want to find specific resources. Let's break down the different parts of the advanced search in the following sections.

Search Scopes

Search for: At the top of the search form, you will have the option to Search for which enables you to search within a specific category of materials, called a scope. Some of the most common search scopes are described below.

1. Books, Articles & More (sometimes called Everything): This is the broadest search scope. It includes both digital and physical materials, including physical books, eBooks, online journals and articles, videos, and more available through your institution. 
2. Library Catalog: Using this scope will narrow your search to physical items on your library's shelves and eBooks you can borrow.
3. Course reserves: Using this scope will narrow your search to items specifically marked by professors at your institution to be used for specific reasons. 
4. Discovery Network Catalog: Using this scope will broaden your search to the library catalogs of other colleges and universities across the state of Ohio. You can request these items through a service called Interlibrary Loan to have them delivered to your library for pickup, and some institutions have digitization services available for digital borrowing!
5. : Using this scope will narrow your search to online resources, also known as electronic resources. This includes journal articles, newspaper articles, videos, and larger collections of resources in databases. 

Search Query Builder

The query builder is the main purpose of the advanced search in your library's catalog. Use this builder to create specific searches, or queries, to fund the information you need.

Search Filters

You can use Filters to limit your search results by specifying material or resource type, language, or publication date range. 

Search Query Preview

Note the query preview at the bottom of this image - this gives a linear example of the search query you've built. It can be helpful to visualize your query this way if a complex search is becoming overwhelming. Don't forget that you can always ask your library staff for help when building queries - they are here to help you!

Submit Button

Click the word "SEARCH" to submit your search!