Keyword Searching

Select the KEYWORD menu option when you know only some of the words in a title, in the name of a sponsoring organization (corporate author), or in a subject or contents note. Also use when you wish to combine search terms to broaden or narrow your search.

You may search for a single word	For example:	floss
	retrieves all records in which the word "floss" appears, such as the title, The Mill on the Floss.
You may search for a truncated word	For example:	aborigin*
	retrieves all records in which "aborigin" appears as a root word (aboriginal, aborigine, aborigines, etc.). NOTE: In the WORDS search and in the LIMIT option, you must use * to truncate.
You may search for multi-word terms	For example:	letter birmingham jail
	retrieves all records in which all three words (letter, Birmingham, and jail) appear. NOTE: The system searches as if "and" has been used to combine the terms.

SUBJECT searches generally yield more pertinent results in multi-word searching. If you have questions, ask library staff for assistance.