Lecture3 LibraryLit

Library Literature : Library Literature Learning the database


Visual examination : Visual examination What are all the parts and what do they do? Tan section at top (“database selection” area) Buttons on left Central search area (white) Note the “as” drop-down - all the fields this db uses! Some limits… Bottom blue bar


The true beauty of controlled vocabulary : The true beauty of controlled vocabulary Go to the Thesaurus and look up OPAC. Note how it directs you to the term to use, and how very many variants this is taking care of Otherwise we might have to think of all these variations and search ‘em all. Ugh!


Using the thesaurus, 2 : Using the thesaurus, 2 Search 1: finding articles on how library school curriculum is changing (in response to IT changes) Search: library school curriculum in Thesaurus. No exact match, but one of the results is: “library schools/curriculum” Search that as a Subject, and simply add the word “change”. Works pretty well.


Always use the thesaurus? : Always use the thesaurus? I’ve heard there’s a bibliography of movies that had librarians in them - surely this would be the place to find out? Yes. But if you look up ‘librarians in film’ in the Thesaurus… …is that what you meant?


Thesaurus vs. Browse : Thesaurus vs. Browse Browse is a quick way to check and see if a term is Subject, or if a particular journal is covered by Lib. Lit., etc. Note: Browse is a strictly alphabetical, “left-anchored” list - you only get terms beginning with whatever word you put in. Try looking up “librarians in film” in Browse (use your eyes!) Now compare the results of looking up “interlibrary loan” in Browse and in the Thesaurus


Using multiple thesaurus terms : Using multiple thesaurus terms There is no easy or direct way to select multiple thesaurus terms and search them as an AND search Looking up terms, selecting them, clicking “Get Marked” at the bottom of the screen, then “Search Marked Subjects” to execute the search – results in OR’ing all the marked subjects.


When the thesaurus fails you… : When the thesaurus fails you… You want to find some information on chat services as part of reference You try looking up “reference chat” in the thesaurus. It suggests: Reference Services/Automation. Good term, but there are zillions of articles. And how annoying! There’s no way to select this term from the Thesaurus, then AND in a free text term.


A little brute force : A little brute force Copy & paste (just to save typing) the Reference Services/Automation heading into the Advanced search screen (search as Subject) AND chat (as: Keyword) Voila! Take a look at some records. If you don’t see the “chat” word in the citation, where is it?


Output : Output Print Email Save - a screen with an elaborate array of options! Note especially… You can include your “Search History” Send just “Marked Records” Mail to: send to multiple addresses using a semi-colon in-between: me@mine.edu; you@yours.edu Fill in the “Mail subject” Exporting/Citing – again, note the emphasis on use of citation mgmt software, and making citing easy