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Tips for Using Library Search

Provides some tips and strategies for effectively using the University of Michigan Library search engine.

Search Results

The starting point at the Library Search page is the Everything search, which shows a small number of results from each of the information categories (Catalog, Articles, Databases, Journals, Website). You can always view all results in a specific category by clicking on the "View all [category] results" link.  

Everything Search:

Screen shot of Library Everything Search Results, for "health disparities"

Image of Library Everything Search Results, for the topic of "health disparities."

 

Catalog Search:

Screen shot of Library Catalog Search results, for "health disparities"

Image of Library Catalog Search results, for the topic of "health disparities."

When you display a full list of results, the information presented will vary, depending on which category you display. But clicking on the item title, or on "Go to database," or "Go to item" link will connect you to detailed information or the full access to the resource. Be sure to expand the locations section in a catalog record to display all the access points and locations for a particular title.

Screen shot of a catalog record for a book titled, Men's health equity: a handbook.

Image of a catalog record for a book titled, Men's health equity: a handbook.

Filtering Results

Again depending on the information category you select you may be able to refine or filter your results. For example, a Library Catalog Search may present filters for subject, format, language, publication date, library location, etc. while a Library Database Search may present type of database and type of access. Clicking on the available filters will narrow your final search results. 

TIP: Add the "Available online" filter in the catalog to identify online books.

Catalog Search:

Screen shot of Library Catalog Search results, with filters applied to search for "social justice"

Image of Library Catalog Search results, with filters applied to search for a recent, English-language e-book on "social justice."

 

Database Search:

Screen shot of Library Database Search results, with a filter of "web archive" applied, for the topic of "social justice"

Image of Library Database Search results, with a filter of "web archive" applied, for the topic of "social justice"

Last Updated: Dec 18, 2024 11:59 AM