The Any field Search can often be the the simplest and most effective way to search the catalog. It is similar to other online searching that you do every day.
Before searching, think about search term(s) that describe the item(s) you seek. Keep your searches simple. In Any field searches, fewer specific search terms lead to optimal searches.
To search for music items, read about how music is described in an online library catalog. To search for music scores or recordings, keep these tips in mind as you search – especially for works with generic titles:
- Always give genres in plural (e.g. sonatas, symphonies), and titles in "catalog" (reverse) order,
sonatas violin piano
sonatas violin piano op 12
- Combine different search elements in one search field: include name (composer, performer), title, and format words whenever possible.
beethoven sonatas violin piano 12 parts
sibelius tapiola karajan
mozart figaro vocal score
You may use the Any field search to search on call numbers.
Efficiency hints:
- Because the system will change or ignore them, omit capital letters.
- In titles, omit initial articles in any language (a, an, the (English); der, die, das, ein, eine (German); la, le, lo, los, un, una, une, uno, etc. (romance languages)).
- For optimal search results, avoid searches using multiple search fields (i.e. more than one or two search boxes), if possible.
Trouble-shooting
- If a search doesn't lead to expected search results, check the filters.
- If you are getting too few search results, make the filters less specific.
- If you are getting too many search results, make the filters more specific.
