Search
How helpful was this page?
Related Blog Posts
Blog Posts
-
Site-specific eBooks
created by
Jan 10, 2024
-
Builder: customize your search
created by
Nov 21, 2023
-
Items: a few things you may not know...
created by
Apr 12, 2023
-
Searching by Subject
created by
Nov 16, 2022
-
Level up your searching
created by
Sep 21, 2022
-
Using Copy Location & Copy Shelving
created by
Aug 24, 2022
-
¿Hablas español?- Filter search results by language
created by
Aug 16, 2022
-
Top 5 tips of 2021!
created by
Dec 29, 2021
-
Search smarter!—Combine search results
created by
Oct 13, 2021
-
New Inventory–Using Search Strings
created by
Sep 29, 2021
How to Use Search
With so many options, it can take some practice to learn how to use Search and all of its functionalities. 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. 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.
But... what do you do when Search isn't finding what you're looking for?
Search Tips
- Try a Smart Search first
- 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 Authorss
- Use Sort and Filter
- begins with search
- 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
Teach your patrons!
Wondering how to share these tips with your patrons? We got you! Print our Search Tips reference sheet and display it near your Researcher stations. It will hopefully encourage patrons to try a few things on their own before seeking you out!
Librarian Tips
Librarians and administrators can make things easier for patrons using Search in a few ways:
- 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
- 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?
spelling TOTW