How to Use Search

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

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 without needing to know the exact title.

So, what do you do when Search isn't finding what you're looking for?

Alexandria Searching Tips

Here are some Alexandria tools 

• 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.

• If you're not sure what you're looking for, use the default Smart Search. See how each field is weighted when a search is performed.

• 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.

• 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
• 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 easier. Then patrons will only be looking at results that meet certain requirements.
• Use spell check "Elehpants?"—Spell Check for Researcher

General Searching Tips

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?

spelling TOTW