Search Tips On Using VUCat

Basic Search:

• Title:
  
  Type, in exact order, the first words of title: zen and the art
  Omit initial articles [a, an, the, der, la, l', etc]: sun also rises
  
  Author (person or organization):
  
  Enter the last name first: twain mark.
  Omit punctuation; insert a space between initials: eliot t s
• Subject:
  
  Use exact subject heading (Library of Congress)
  For information about a person, enter last name first: adams, john
• Journal title:
  
  Type first words of title: english historical, journal of zoology
  Omit initial articles [a, an, the, l', etc]: new yorker
• Call number:
  
  Type in any call number.
  Enter as much of the call number as you know. Example: E178
• Any Word(s) Search:

  Type any word(s) or phrase(s) in any order: comics cartoons caricatures
  Do NOT use Boolean operators.
  Colored spheres rate the probable degree of relevance the title has to the search items entered.
  Apply limits before entering the search (language, location, date, medium, type).
  Options include--
  Use quotation marks to indicate phrases: "united states" "free speech"
  Use + to mark essential terms: +satire
  Use * to mark important terms: *humor
  Use ? to truncate: comput? finds computer, computers, computing.

• Boolean / Menu Search:

  Combine search components to refine a query.
  Enter terms in "search for" boxes.
  Use drop down menus to select: relationship of terms (any of these, all of these, as a phrase) Boolean operators (AND OR NOT)
  Specific fields (title, subject, series, language, etc.)
  Apply limits before entering the search.

Boolean/Command Search:

Use upper case Boolean operators -- AND, OR, NOT -- to combine terms
Use quotation marks for phrases: "short stories"
Use ? to truncate: child? finds child, children, childlike
Use OR and parentheses to group synonyms: aged OR elderly
Use one search string: (history? OR chronicle?) AND "united states" AND vietnam
Apply limits before entering the search (language, location, date, medium, type).
Caution: misspelled words stop the search.

• Course Reserve
  To locate course reserve materials for the current semester, select any instructor, department, course, or section in any combination. Materials held in the Reserve Room, Ground Floor.