IC: Learn the Library Catalog

Open http://www.butler.edu/library/ in another browser window to work through this tutorial side by side.

This tutorial will familiarize you with the Classic Butler Library Catalog.

In general, we recommend that you start with PRIMO instead of the Catalog. However, since you are working with many patrons who might prefer the Catalog, you need to be familiar with it.

The Catalog is helpful when you are:

  • Trying to see if the library owns a certain item
  • Locating a specific physical resource (book, dvd, periodical, etc)
  • Looking for a physical resource on a topic/subject

We will be switching to a new system in the near future (Spring/Summer 2014), but the skills you learn with this Catalog should transfer and make you an expert with the new tool as well.

To access the Catalog, click on the Classic Butler Library Catalog link on the library homepage.

Catalog Options: Browse

Notice that there are 2 search options on the Catalog home page: Search and Browse. 

Browse is a more serendipitous search; instead of immediately bringing back results, it will bring back suggestions. 

Get the feel for the Browse option by running these two searches:

  • Select "Subject [Library of Congress]" from the drop-down list and enter school into the search box
  • Select "Title" from the drop-down list and enter great into the search box
Return to the Catalog home page by clicking on the Search button.

Catalog Options: Advanced Search

The basic Search option is the default when you click on the Catalog link. If you want to enter multiple fields into your search, you can go beyond the basic Search and utilize the Advanced Search option. 

Click on the Advanced Search button towards the top of the page. 

Note that the Advanced Search features all the same limiters, but gives you three search boxes. This can be helpful when you want to search for author AND title, etc. Advanced search also gives you quite a few more options in the drop-down box next to the search boxes. 

Return to the basic Search by clicking the Search button.

Catalog Options: Search Limiters

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The drop-down limiting options next to the search box are often ignored, but they can be incredibly helpful.

Get familiar with the differences between keyword and author drop-down options by running the searches below. Be sure to observe the types and number of results that are coming back.

  • Select "All Keywords" from the drop-down and put Dr. Seuss in the search box
  • Select "Subject Keywords" from the drop-down and put Dr. Seuss in the search box
  • Select "Author Keywords" from the drop-down and put Dr. Seuss in the search box
  • Select "Exact Author" from the drop-down and put Seuss, Dr. in the search box

Which of these would work best to find academic books about Dr. Seuss?

Which of the following is the right/best way to enter an author's name?

Catalog Options: Search Limiters

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Learn more about keyword vs. title searches.  Be sure to observe the types and number of results that are coming back.

  • Select "All Keywords" from the drop-down list and enter Pride and Prejudice into the search box
  • Select "Title Keywords" from the drop-down list and enter Pride and Prejudice into the search box
  • Select "Title Starts With" from the drop-down list and enter Pride and Prejudice into the search box

What was one item that came back for both the Title Keywords and Title Starts With searches?

Which of the following is the right/best way to enter The Great Gatsby for a title search?

Catalog Options: Search Limiters

3 of 3Now get the feel for your limiter options by improving these searches:

Subject Keywords - Dr. Seuss

  • Limit by collection - Select Children's/Young Adult Books to find books about the author and his work, written for a child audience

Title Starts With - Pride and Prejudice search:

  • Limit by item type - Select Book or DVD in the Format drop-down list
  • Limit by date - Enter 2000-2013 to see recent adaptations
  • Online or in print - Select Electronic Library from the Location drop-down list to see online copies
Typically using one or two of these limiters is sufficient for effective and efficient searching.

Understanding the Results List

Run a Subject Heading search for "Butler University" as an exact phrase.
 
 Note the follow at the top of the results list:
  • Link to Modify Search if you wish to add more limiters
  • Number of search results
  • Ability to sort. By default, date is selected, so items should be ranked from newest to oldest. 
 The results list gives basic information about each item:
  • Title & Author
  • Format (also indicated by an icon to the left of the title)
  • Check for Copies (library, location/collection, and call number)
  • Owned/Checked Out (current availability of item)

Which of the following should you be able to ascertain from the results page?

Understanding Catalog Records


Click on the title Lead Like Butler: Six Principles for Values-Based Leadership. 

This is an item's record. You get more information about the item than was displayed on the results list. Important features you should be aware of include:

  • Add to My e-Shelf/Email: useful to send information out of the catalog.
  • Subject - LC: shows you the subject headings for the item. Allows you to click and run a new search with these improved terms.
  • Cite This button: assists with citation creation in most major citation styles. 
Return to the Results list by clicking the Results List button at the top of your screen. Then click on the call number hyperlink next to Check for Copies.
 
This is the holdings view of the record. It shows you the location, call number, and availability in a cleaner format. It also gives you the option to request an item if it's already checked out.
 

Electronic Access in the Catalog

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Click on the Results List button. Scroll until you see The Drift, a serial publication.

Click on the hyperlink that says "Butler Electronic Access" in the Owned/Checked Out section of the record. This will be the location of links to all electronic content in the catalog. This does NOT show all that we own electronically; use PRIMO to see more online access options.

Click on the link that will grant electronic access to the publication. You should see The Drift in a pop-up window. 

Electronic Access in the Catalog

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That's the end!

If you have any lingering questions about using the Catalog, please let Amanda know. 

 

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