Philosophy

Types of Searches

Keyword

• Combine terms using AND.
• This search returns records that contain words that match exactly what you typed in.
• This is often (but not always) the best place to start.

Subject

• Catalog uses pre-defined subjects. 
• This type of search works well if you are browsing for a particular subject that you know or a broad term. So if you aren't finding anything, switch to the keyword search instead.
• Subjects are arranged using the Library of Congress Classification system.

Author

• Author searches are for looking for items a particular person has authored or written.
• The library catalog works best if you type in searches in the format "Lastname, Firstname."
• If you want books about a person, search for their name by subject.

Title

• Use this search if you know the title of the material that you want.

• Call Numbers will guide you to the location of physical items within the library.
• If you are having problems with finding a particular book, you can ask a librarian for help.
• This guide may also help you: Locating Books by Call Number