Which Catalog Should I Use? – International and Area Studies Library

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The library has lots of tools to search for information and (hopefully) get the full text. Here is a brief summary of what search tools we have and what they do.

Library Catalogs

Classic Voyager (Classic Catalog)

Our older or “classic” catalog for local UIUC holdings using the WebVoyage software. Search by subject headings and by call number through this catalog which is not possible through VuFind. This is still a primary library catalog because it is comfortable and easier for search to items at times.

VuFind (library Catalog)

Our newer catalog, with a better design and icons; contains the same data as in the classic catalog. The best thing about VuFind is the facets on the right side, which allow you to search broadly and then narrow down your search. It does not have the ability to browse subject headings or search by call number. You must create a login the first time you request items, and it is unfortunately not connected to the NetID system (we recommend you use your NetID for your account, though). For instructions on how to set up a library account please use this guide.

iShare – https://vufind.carli.illinois.edu/

A version of the VuFind catalog that has items from all of the libraries in the iShare system. Use your VuFind to request items. If an item is not in one of the local catalogs, check here next. Electronic items (especially ebooks) in iShare are only for the library who hosts the material.

Discovery/Federated Systems

These tools search multiple electronic resources at the same time. These generally search our library catalogs and our databases, so they are frequently used by individuals wanting to find the full text of an article.

Easy Search

Easy Search is a federated search tool, meaning it performs a search in multiple databases simultaneously. Developed at the U of I, Easy Search gives us lots of flexibility to create subject specific searches, customize the results interface, and provide prompts based on research about our users. It is excellent at finding a citation that you copy/paste into the search box (even if you have incomplete information). The downside is that it can be slow, and users still have to click through to get to any actual results. It also doesn’t have the nicest interface. A lot of users think that “the search box on the library homepage” is THE search for library materials. And if people are unsure about resource they used, it is often Easy Search or a link from it.

Electronic Resources

These two resources are the primary places to go for our electronic content, including databases and journals. Ebook collections are in these, but not individual ebooks (they are in the online catalogs). If you want to find subject specific resources, it is often best to consult the webpages for the subject libraries.

Online Journals and Databases (SFX)

This is the closest thing we have to an A-Z list of journals and databases. It does a good job with the journals, as it tracks title changes and changes in coverage. Databases are in here (in all caps under “More Options”), although this tool was not designed as a list of databases, making its implementation clunky. The subjects in SFX are pretty much useless because they do not match up with our structure.

Databases by Subject

Since we no longer have a nice list of all of the databases the library owns, this page was created. It links out to catalog records that have been given a subject heading for “database” and the specific subject area. This list, while useful, is not very comprehensive and is somewhat dependent on collection development fund manager making sure their subject is well-covered.

Other Catalogs

HPNL Newspaper Database

Useful database for smaller and older newspapers, especially from Illinois, which are often not in the online catalog This database does not provide indexing, but does show available formats and holdings information. The records show you the holdings that HPNL has for each paper, as well as the format. Most are in microfilm, but we’re also digitizing the smaller Illinois newspapers. For larger newspapers, like the New York Times and Chicago Tribune, it is easiest to find them in SFX (although they are linked from here).

Karlsruhe Virtual Catalogue

Metasearch interface to access library catalogs that is very Euro-centric. This can be useful as many of the libraries that are included are not in WorldCat.

Print Card Catalog

The print catalog is the record of our items before 1980 or so. We have removed most of it, but the Serial Record and Thesis file are still very useful and are at the Information Desk area located on the second floor of the Main Library.

Helpful Information