Multi-Database Search Tips

This library application allows you to search two or more databases simultaneously and display the combined results. Use the following tips to enter keywords, authors or subjects in the search form.

• Enter a single keyword or a phrase. You can use "parentheses" around phrases, e.g., <"klamath river">.
• Truncate words using a question mark (?) to get all variations of a root word, e.g. <wild?> finds records containing "wildlife", "wilderness", etc.).
• Use boolean operators (and, or, not) to connect keywords as appropriate, e.g, <klamath river and (dam or dams)>. In multi-database searching some databases automatically connect keywords using the and operator.
• Use synonyms to broaden search results.
• For author searching the standard database format is <last name, first name>. Due to variations between databases it is best to use name variations, or to use truncation, e.g., <johnson, m?>
• For subject searching databases are likely to use different "controlled" subjects, e.g., "maps, ancient" and "ancient maps". For best results, use <maps and ancient>.