What do you do when Search isn't finding what you're looking for? How do you use it most effectively? Check out these tips and tools for getting the most out of Search!

How to Use Search

With so many options, it can take some practice to learn how to use Search and find what you need. But once you've got it down, searching will be so much easier! 

One thing you should know is that the new Search uses a Smart Search that is significantly smarter than the old one you may have seen in v6. It may not seem that way if the item you are looking for doesn't show up first, but keep in mind someone remember that others are using the same search term who is while looking for something else. The new Search better allows for is very flexible, allowing your patrons to find items without needing to know the exact title.

But... what do you do when Search isn't finding what you're looking for?

Tips for Searching

• Try a Smart Search first. Just remember that titles, authors, and series are going to hold the most weight. Also, term frequency will be taken into account. See Search Basics to learn more. 

• Check your spelling. Make sure you're spelling your search terms correctly.

• Use fewer words. Shorten your search term to get more results.

• Pick out the unique words. Try using the most unique word(s) in the title you’re looking for.

• Multiexcerpt include

  SpaceWithExcerpt	ALIB
  MultiExcerptName	Search Field Weights
  PageWithExcerpt	ALIB:Alex Content

  Use specific Search Types. If you know the exact title, change the Search Type to Titles. Know the author but not the title? Change it to Authors.

• Use  Sort and  Filter. Use these result list controls to change up the sorting order and type of results.

• Try a "begins-with" search. Smart Search looks for an exact match, but that may not be helpful if you're not sure how to spell what you're looking for. If your search query doesnyou don't return get any results, click Try a "begins with" search, or add quotes and an asterisk to your query ("term*") and tap enter.
  
  

• Combine search terms. Having trouble finding a book with a common title, such as "It"? Search by title and author (e.g. "it stephen king") to get more exact results.

• if Use Advanced Search. If you need something real really specific, use Advanced Search – if you're combining two words, be aware it's Search. This will let you enter multiple search terms with AND, OR, or AND NOT. Be aware that combining two words is automatically an AND in regular searching; don't use OR between words that mean different things.

• Read more on search strategies. Searching is a skill. Check out Nova Southeastern University's Database Search Tips for more information on various searching strategies.

Settings and Tools for Librarians

Librarians and administrators can make things easier for patrons using Search in a few ways:

• Use lists and pre-made search strings. If patrons need to find a specific type of book for a class project, teachers and librarians can create a list or pre-made search string to make it things easier to find. Then patrons Post the strings or list URLs on bulletin boards, Explore buttons, or slideshows for patrons to find and use. Then they will only be looking at results that meet certain your requirements and specifications.

• Use spell check Set up spell check. Turn on automatic spell check on the internet browsers of each of your Researcher stations. Check out the "Elehpants?"—Spell Check for Researcher
• Set your default Search results to 100 items

How to Search, aka Why can't I find what I'm looking for (we can discuss names, whatever you think make sense)

see the Search question on http://support.companioncorp.com/display/ALEX/Switch+to+Alexandria+7 I think it's important to emphasize the flexibility of the the searching and results.

The new Search uses a Smart Search that is significantly smarter than the old one. It may not seem that way if the item you are looking for doesn't show up first, but keep in mind someone using the same search term who is looking for something else. The new Search better allows for your patrons to find items they might not know the exact title for.

• If you are doing a title search, change the search type to Title.
• Learn more about Search Types including Smart Search in our  Search Basics  article. See how the different fields are weighted.
• Review our information on Search Results.
• Having trouble finding a book with a common title, such as "It"? Search by title and author (e.g. "it stephen king") to get more exact results.

General searching tips
if you know the title and it still isn't coming up, include the author in your search
stuff like they talk about on

https://nsufl.libguides.com/databasetips

http://emory.libanswers.com/faq/43699

• keywords/concepts
• start with broad searches and then start to narrow down and limit
• phrase searching–does this work in Alexandria?
• truncate root words
• subject searching (Alex specific?) 
• field searching

Alexandria searching tips
use the search types – if you know the title but not the author, do a title search; if you don't know what you are looking for, use smart search.
try begins-with
do a general search, then use the filters
if you need something real specific, use Advanced Search – if you're combining two words, be aware it's automatically an AND in regular searching; don't use OR between words that mean different things

use pre-made search strings in an Explore icon

lists?

•  tip for instructions on enabling spell check on Google Chrome.

• Increase the number of shown results. Set your default Search results to 100 items in Builder (Searching > Initial Search Results Returned).