Tips for Using the Online Catalog

Printer-friendly (pdf) handouts for learning to search the online catalog.

Searching Library Holdings
Searching Tips
Specialized Searching Tips
Requesting Materials

Searching Library Holdings

	Online Library Catalog Overview: The online catalog provides access to the materials (both print and non-print) that the library holds. This guide will give you some tips on accessing and searching the catalog and on getting help at the library.
	My Library Account: This guide will show you how to use your account on the library's webpage to renew library materials, view the status of your catalog requests, check to see if you have any fines, and save search commands.
	Course Reserves: Some items are placed on reserve in the library by instructors for their students to access. Learn how to search and access course reserves for your classes.

Searching Tips

	Boolean Searching: Learn how to use "and," "or," and "not" to conduct more precise searches in the library's online catalog.
	Combining Search Terms: Get instructions on how to combine your search terms for more effective searching.
	Keyword Searching: Learn to use keyword searching in both basic and advanced searches.
	Name Searching: How to search by author, publisher, corporate author, or for biographic information with a name search.
	Numeric Searching: How to search by ISSN, ISBN, OCLC, GPO Item Number or Music Publisher Number.
	Subject Searching: How to find works on a specific subject.
	Title Searching: How to use title searching when you know the full title of a work or a phrase from the title.

Specialized Searching Tips

	Foreign Language Films: Search/browse for foreign language films located in the Undergraduate Library by title or director (author).
	New Titles List: Discover new titles that have been added to the library collection.
	Conference Proceedings: Search for published proceedings generated by professional gatherings like conferences, congresses, forums, symposia, workshops, and expositions.
	Short Works of Literature: Learn to find anthologies of literary short works in the catalog including short stories, plays, poems, etc.
	English Translations of Foreign-language Literature: How to find English translations of foreign-language literature.

Requesting Materials

	University Library Requesting: Request materials be sent to a particular library on campus for pick-up.
	Using I-Share: If an item is unavailable at the University of Illinois, try I-Share.
	I-Share Online Requesting: Learn to request materials from other libraries in Illinois.

Interlibrary Loan and Docucument Delivery: Request materials from other libraries.