Subject Searches:
Below are links to search tips/strategies developed for frequent searches arranged by department or curriculum.
Subject Searches begin to use the complexity of the catalog system for class assignments via search templates or strategies. These searches are based upon the classification scheme used by the Library of Congress, commonly referred to as Subject Headings.
A typical Subject Heading for English is American Fiction. Subject Headings may be further refined by appending subdivisions like 20th Century to the major headings. This subject search will return all materials in the catalog classified as American Fiction and 20th Century. Below is a sample of how subdivisions limit a subject search, retrieving fewer but more specific catalog records.
How can you tell what Subject Headings to use? Starting with a major heading like American Fiction, you can browse the Subject Index of our catalog. As a simple search:
What the catalog retrieves is a list of subject headings and subdivisions beginning with American Fiction. Using the Forward and Backward buttons, you can scroll through the list of subject headings. Note the number of catalog entries that correspond to the subject headings. Usually those that are more detailed reference fewer catalog records.
Browsing the Subject Index will help you refine a Subject Search. Clicking on any one of the blue subject headings will retrieve materials classified by that heading schema. Below is a sample of materials retrieved by clicking on 9).
Pay attention to the results page. Sometimes a catalog entry will contain alternative subject headings you may want to try. Below is the detail record for #1. All items in blue, including the Subject Headings, can be used as a new search. So I can click on Afro-Americans in literature--Bibliography to perform a new search with a new subject heading.
