Search Tips and Tutorials
The first decision you will have to make when using the Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) is which search method is best: Title, Subject Terms, or General Keywords.
Search for a Specific Title
You can use this option if you want to know if the LRC has a particular item you need. You know the title and can search it by keywords in the title. But it is also very effective to use this option to search across all titles that contain the keywords or phrases you want. If the keyword(s) or phrase(s) you're looking for in other words is found in a title of an item(s) it's very likely that it's very relevant to what it is you're searching for.
Search by Subject Terms
When you use this option you are only going to search for keywords in the Subject field of the OCC. Your terms must be terms from the LRC's Subject List - its controlled vocabulary listing. This listing is available to you when you click on "terms". Then you simply select a term and paste it back on the search line.
Browse our list of subject headings: LRC Subject List (PDF, 1MB)
Search Free Text
This option has the most flexibility but the least accuracy. Use your own words on the search line and the OCC will look for your terms in several different fields.
FYI Tips
- Use HELP. There are more tips found when you click the help boxes.
- When starting a new search on the same screen as the one you just finished, click the CLEAR button rather than typing over your old search.
- Remember, once you go home, the only possible access you have to some of the materials in the LRC is via Interlibrary Loan (ILL).
