How to Find Information in the Library

Parts of a Book

• Spine--The outside edge of the book where the pages have been bound together.
• Title page--Has the title, author or editor, and publisher. On the back of most title pages you will find the place of publication, and the copyright date.
• Table of Contents--Located at the front of the book it lists the chapters in the book.
• Introduction and preface-- Both appear before the main part of the book begins.
• Appendix--It is located at the back of the book and usually contains information pertinant to the main content.
• Index--You will find this list of names, subjects and places and pages on which they appear in the index. In a multi-volume set such as an encyclopedia, the index is located in the last volume.
• Cumulative index--an index in a set of books that is published one at a time. Each new volume contains the indexing from all the previous volumes.
• Glossary--A list of words and their definitions which are located at the back of a book.

Finding a Book Using the Online Catalog

This is the main search screen.

How to Search the Online Catalog

1. Type search term in the white box.
2. Select how you want to search: Keyword, Title, Author, Subject, Series, or Power.
3. Keyword search will find specific words or phrases. If you get too many hits try the Power Search.

Power Search

1. This option uses the Boolean operators AND, OR, NOT, to search for keywords or phrases.
2. Power Search can search up to three phrases or keywords at one time.
3. The use may search all fields in a record or one of their choosing.

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