The Search tab allows you to search the library's catalog and locate the items we own.

Keyword:

• Looks for matches to your word(s) (in any order) in any place (title, author, subject, publisher, etc.).
• You can also use wildcard characters * and ? to widen your search.
• Use the drop-down boxes to limit your search by field (title, author, subject, etc.) or format (DVD, audiobook, etc.). You can also sort your results.

Browse:

• Searches by title, author, subject, or series for items that begin with a specific word or phrase.
• Returns an alphabetical listing of items.

Phrase:

• Looks for matches to your words in the same order you typed them.
• Use the drop-down boxes to limit the search to a certain format (Book, Audiobook, Video, etc.). You can also sort your results.

Advanced:

• Allows you to further narrow your search by searching different fields at once.
• You can further narrow your search by limiting it to a certain library branch, publication date, format, audience, or language.

Boolean:

• Uses specific search commands (AND, OR, and NOT) to combine terms in different categories.
• For a full list of access points (codes for the searchable fields), please see http://ipac.bcslibrary.org/polaris/Help/ad1459030.htm#Rad79673.
• For example, if you were looking for "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer, type AU=meyer AND TI=twilight.

Dictionary:

• Use the online dictionary if you are not sure how to spell a word.

Thesaurus:

• Lists words that are related in meaning to a word you specify.

My Lists:

• Allows you to create and edit a working list of search results.
• Can list the results four ways: brief bibliographic citation, full bibliographic citation, Chicago Manual of Style, and American Psychological Association (APA).
• Lists are available for the active session only. In order to access your lists at a later time, you will need to log-in to your account and save them.

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