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Help
Main Topics
Getting Started
What is Web OPAC?
Web OPAC is a simple yet sophisticated searching module that provides access to
your library’s Online Public Access Catalog over the Internet. There are
four Search Types available: Simple
Search, Browse Search, Power
Search and Cross Library Searches.
Sign In
Sign In requirements are set by your library. Sign In may be requested in a variety of ways.
It can be enforced upon startup of a new Web OPAC session or when accessing patron specific
functions such as My Account,
checking out items/placing item request, and for placing Holds.
Once authenticated, you will be able to access all functions during the same session
without further logins.
Note: User names and passwords are maintained by your library along with
your other patron circulation information.
Switching
to a different database
This option is available only if defined by your library. To change the database,
click on the 'Switch Database' link. Select the desired database and click on
the 'Switch' button.
The Menu Bar
The menu bar provides quick access to Web OPAC functions. The available options are determined by your
library. Therefore, your menu bar may not contain all of the options listed below.
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Start:
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Return to your library's opening Web OPAC screen.
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Search:
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Display the Search Menu for: Simple Search, Browse Search, Power Search, and Cross Library Search.
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My Account:
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Display the following patron specific options: Library cart, Checkouts, Holds, and Password.
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Search Types:
Simple Search - Find a Keyword or Phrase
Step-By-Step
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Click on the Show Search Options link to select the search method for your search.
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Type the keyword(s) or a phrase into the Type a Keyword or Phrase field.
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Click on the GO button to launch the search.
Search Tip:
Click on the Show Search Options link to select specific parameters for your search
such as: Search Method (Match ALL Keywords, Match ANY Keyword, Match Phrase, and Exact Match); Display
Results (number of records per page), Location, and/or Publication Year.
See Valid Operators for the list of commands and related examples for advanced searching.
Examples:
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Search for records containing a simple keyword.
Type keyword or phrase:
planet
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Search for records containing at least one of the keywords entered.
Type keyword or phrase:
mars planet
Search Method:
Match ANY Keyword
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Search only for records containing all keywords entered.
Type keyword or phrase:
mars planet
Search Method:
Match ALL Keywords
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Search for records containing a specific form of each keyword stopping at the quotation mark. (Find
compute not computes, computer, computed, etc.)
Type keyword or phrase:
compute"
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Limit records by Location and Publication Year.
Type keyword or phrase:
planet
Limit by:
[Select Location] Main Branch
Publication Year:
2000
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Search for records containing a matching phrase (all keywords, as entered, in the order entered).
Type keyword or phrase:
prentice hill
Search Method:
Match Phrase
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Search for records containing exact matches (each keywords, as entered, in any order).
Type keyword or phrase:
pluto planet
Search Method:
Match Phrase
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Browse Search – Search by Author, Title, Subject, etc
Step-By-Step
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Select an index from the Look for list (Author, Title, Subject, etc).
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Type a keyword or phrase into the Begins with field. Entering information
in this field repositions the browse list accordingly. If an entry is not made, the first page of the
browse list displays.
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Click on the GO button to display the browse list as specified.
Note: The Browse option generates a list of entries arranged in alphabetical order
by the selected browse index. Every list consists of many pages containing at least
10 entries each.
Examples:
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Browse ALL titles.
Look for:
TI (Titles)
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Browse titles starting with: M
Look for:
TI (Titles)
Begins with:
m
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Browse titles beginning with the phrase: A Journal of Thoracic
Type keyword or phrase:
TI (Titles)
Search Method:
a journal of thoracic
-or-
Search Method:
journal thoracic
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Power Search - Connect terms by using AND / OR / NOT
Step-By-Step
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Click on the Show Search Options link to select the search method for your search.
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Select the Field to be searched.
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Type the keyword(s) or a phrase for each field being searched into the Enter your criteria field.
Up to three fields may be searched.
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Select the operator to use between each search line entered (AND, OR, or AND NOT).
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Click on the GO button to launch the search.
Search Tip:
Click on the Show Search Options link to select specific parameters for your search such as:
Search Method (Match ALL Keywords, Match ANY Keyword, Match Phrase, and Exact Match); Display Results (number of records
per page), Location, and/or Publication Year.
See Valid Operators for the list of commands and related examples for advanced searching.
Examples:
- Search for records containing a keyword anywhere in the record.
Search type: Title
Criteria: The Internet
- Search for records containing all keywords in a specific record field.
Search type: Series
Criteria: Prentice Hall
Search Method: Match ALL Keywords
- Retrieve records where either search may be applicable.
Search type: Title
Criteria: internet
OR
Search type: Series
Criteria: Prentice Hall
Search Method: Match Phrase
- Retrieve only records where both searches are applicable and either keyword.
Search type: Title
Criteria: internet
AND
Search type: Series
Criteria: Prentice Hall
Search Method: Match ANY Keywords
- Perform complex searches.
Search type: Title
Criteria: internet
AND
Search type: Series
Criteria: Prentice Hall
OR
Search type: Author
Criteria: Kehoe
Search Method: Match Phrase
Limit by: [Location] Main Branch
Publication Year: 2000
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Cross Library Search
Step-By-Step
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Click on the Show Search Options link to select the Z39.50 database for your search.
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Select the Z39.50 database to be searched.
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Type the keyword(s) or a phrase for each field being searched into the Enter your criteria
field. Up to three fields may be searched.
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Select the operator to use between each search line entered (AND, OR, or AND NOT).
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Click on the GO button to launch the search.
Search Tip:
Click on the Show Search Options link to select a Z39.50 database and to select the Display
Results (number of records per page).
How Do I Customize my Search?
There are many ways in which you can limit your search. Each of the search options is accessible by clicking on the
Show Search Options link located just below the search field.
Note: Using valid operators overrides the selected search method. This will allow you to
perform desired searches using commands rather than sleeting a search type. See Valid Operators
for the list of commands and related examples for advanced searching.
Choosing Your Search Method
In Simple Search you can set parameters for your search based on a Search Method.
The differences between the methods involve how the system handles the keywords
entered for the search. To determine which search method is right for you, read on:
Use the
Match ALL Keywords (AND)
option if you wish to have the system:
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Narrow the search to include only records with keyword 1 AND keyword 2
AND keyword 3, etc. in the specified field.
Use the
Match ANY Keywords (OR)
option if you wish to have the system:
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Expand the search to include any record with either keyword 1 OR keyword
2 OR keyword 3, etc. in the specified field.
Use the
Match Phrase
search option if you wish to have the system:
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Search for records with all keywords, as entered, in the order entered.
Use the Exact Match search option if you wish to have the system:
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Search for records with all keywords as entered.
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Display Results
By default the system will display 10 records per page. You can select a different number from the
Show Search Option / Display Results list. You may choose from the following:
10, 15, 20, 25 records per page.
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Show Search Options - Limit by Location
Select a location to limit the search to records with matching item location entries. If a location is not
selected, the item's location is not taken into consideration.
The list of locations is maintained by your library.
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Show Search options - Publication Year
Enter a publication year to limit the search to records with matching entries in the item record. If a publication
year is not entered, the item's publication year is not taken into consideration.
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View Results
From the list of titles screen resulting when more than one record is selected from a browse list or retrieved
in a search, you can do the following:
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To view a single record: Click on a title to immediately view the
related record information.
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To view multiple records: Click in the check box just above the title list to select
all titles, or click in
the check box to the left of each title you wish to view to individually select titles. Next, click on the
View button to display the record detail for the selected titles.
The Record Detail screen displays. Select record number at the top of the Detail screen to move to a specific record
or use the arrows to scroll through the record set.
Additional options to Print or Email the selected titles (or record detail) are also available. Note that when the
Print option is selected, the information is sent to your screen before your Print dialog box for the default printer
displays.
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Place Holds
Note: This option is available only if your library has patron-specific functions
enabled.
Note: The Hold icon displays on the Record Detail screen for each bibliographic record
and/or item.
Click on the Hold icon to place your name on the related hold list. If the Hold icon is
selected from the Record tab, the hold is placed on all items for the title. If the Hold icon
is available at the item level (the option must be enabled by your library), the hold is
placed on the specific item.
The hold request is placed in your library cart (along with any other hold requests, item requests, or check outs
you have performed).
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Item Requests / Check Outs
Note: Whether or not this option is available, and whether it displays as Item Request or Check
Out, is determined by your library.
Note: The Check Out or Item Request icon displays on the Record Detail / Copies screen for each
available item. The Check Out action performs a check out and changes the status of the item record. The item Request action
sends a message to your library that you are requesting the item for check out.
Click on the icon to perform the related action. The item is placed in your library cart (along with any other hold
requests, item requests, or check outs you have performed).
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My Account
Note: This section is available only if your library has patron-specific
functions enabled.
Library Cart
Note: Holds and Checkouts/Item Requests must be processed for the transactions to complete.
Select the Library Cart option to display items currently selected for checkout/request or hold.
You may cancel individual transactions, cancel all transactions, or submit all transactions using the
Process button. Once the transactions are processed, your library cart is empty and your
checkout and hold lists (viewable through the My Account menu) are updated. Note that Item
Requests do not display in your checkout list until the item is actually checked out to you.
Checkouts
Displays title, due date, and any fines associated with the items you currently have checked out. Record detail for each
checked out item is also available from this screen.
Holds
Displays your current position on the hold list and the title for the each of your hold requests. Holds may be viewed or
canceled from this screen. Record detail for each title you have on hold is also available from this screen.
Password
This option is used to change the password for your user name. This password affects your access to patron-specific
functions.
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Valid Operators
Advanced Searching
Note: Using a valid operator overrides the search method currently selected (under Show
Search options).
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OR
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Enter OR if records must contain search1 or search2.
Example: badge or courage
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AND
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Enter AND if records must contain search1 and search2.
Example: badge and courage
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NOT
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Enter NOT if records must contain search1 but not search2.
Example:courage not biography
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WITHIN
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Enter w/n if records must contain search1 and search2,
search1 precedes search2, and search1 is within n words of search2. Stop words are ignored.
Example: red w/2 courage
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ADJACENT
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Enter ADJ if records must contain search1 and search2, search1 precedes search2, and search1 is adjacent to
search2 (e.g., enter red adj badge). Stop words are ignored.
Example: red adj badge
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NEAR
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Enter near/n if records must contain search1 and search2, and search1 is within n words of search 2 (e.g., enter
courage near/2 badge). Either word may precede the other. Stop words are ignored.
Example: red adj badge
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RESTRICT TO FIELD
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Enter a colon and the field code if records must contain the keyword(s) in the specified field.
Example: courage:ti
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RESTRICT TO FIELDS
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Enter a colon and a comma between the field codes if records must contain the keyword(s) in the specified fields.
Example: courage:ti,su,ad
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RESTRICT ALL TO FIELDS
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Enter the keywords in parentheses OR followed by /f if records must contain all keywords in a specific field.
Example: (red badge courage):ti
Example: red badge courage/f:ti
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SINGLE CHARACTER SUBSTITUTION
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Enter ? for single character substitution of any alphanumeric character. In the following example, the search
retrieves woman and women.
Example: wom?n
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SINGLE (AND ZERO) CHARACTER SUBSTITUTION
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Enter $ for single character substitution of any alphanumeric character including no character. In the following
example, the search retrieves color and colour.
Example: colo$r
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MULTIPLE CHARACTER SUBSTITUTION
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Enter * for multiple character substitution. In the following example, the search retrieves compute, computers,
computing, comparable, etc.
Example: comp*
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EXACT MATCH ON KEYWORD
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Enter a double quote mark after the keyword to stop the stemming action at a particular character. In the
following example, runner, running, runway, etc. is NOT retrieved in a search.
Example: run"
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EXACT MATCH ON TEXT STRING
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Enclose a phrase in single quotes to search for an exact match on a text string.
Example: 'war and peace'
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RANGE
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Use a range specifier to indicate a range of records. Ranges are used when searching dates. The Date Received
must be entered in ISO format: yyyymmdd. Year Published dates should be entered as they are in the item record.
The following range specifiers are valid:
= (equal to)
> (greater than)
>= (greater than or equal to)
<(less than)
<= (less than or equal to)
!= (not equal to)
Example: id>00101381
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INSIDE RANGE
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Multiple range specifiers may be used to gather inside ranges. The Date Received must be entered in ISO format:
yyyymmdd. Year Published dates should be entered as they are in the item record.
In the following example, the search retrieves records with a Receive Date on/between January 1, 2000 and
June 30, 2000.
Example: 20000101<=dr<=20000630
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OUTSIDE RANGE
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Multiple range specifiers may be used to gather outside ranges. The Date Received must be entered in ISO
format: yyyymmdd. Year Published dates should be entered as they are in the item record.
In the following example, the search retrieves records with a Receive Date on/before January 1, 2000 or on/after
June 30, 2000.
Example: (dr<=20000101) or (dr>=0000630)
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FUZZY SEARCH
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Enter ~ to find words spelled similarly to the keyword(s). Entering cyto~ retrieves cytogenesis, cytology,
cytoplasm, etc.
Example:1 cyto~
Entering ~ology retrieves biology, cytology, pathology, etc.
Example: ~ology
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AT LEAST
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Enter atleast/n if records must contain the keyword with n number of occurrences.
Example: atleast/4 education
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PARENTHESES
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Enter parentheses to group keywords when searching for multiple keywords.
Example: (red badge courage):ti
Parentheses are also used to tell the system in which order to search. In the following example, the system
finds records with dog or canine as search1, then finds records with cat or feline as search2. The resulting
title list displays only records satisfying search1 and search2.
Example: (dog or canine) and (cat or feline)
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VALID FIELD CODES
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Following is a list of valid field codes.
| TI (Title) |
CP (Copy) |
| CA (Call Number) |
MD (Medium) |
| IS (ISBN/ISSN) |
ED (Edition) |
| PU (Publisher) |
CO (Cost) |
| SE (Series) |
YE (Year) |
| AU (Author) |
DE (Descriptor) |
| SU (Subject) |
DR (Date Received) |
| AD (Added Entry) |
TP (Type) |
| NO (Notes) |
LO (Location) |
| ID (Item ID) |
LK (Link Name) |
| VO (Volume) |
VX (Volume Extension) |
Example: courage:ti
Example: ti=courage
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SEARCHING DATES
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All dates contained in the database are stored according to ISO Standards: yyyymmdd. In the following example,
the search retrieves records a date of January 1, 2000; 01/01/00; 01-01-2000; etc.
Example: 200000101
When searching for the Year Published, you may limit the search by this field by entering a Year Published under
Show Search Options. You may also search for a specific year using the YE field code. The date must be entered in
the search as it exists in the record.
Example: 1985:ye
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Icons
Miscellaneous
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Material Format
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Book
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Serial
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Media Links
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Image
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Document
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Audio
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Video
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Program
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