Section 3 - Searching the Online Catalog

Boldface type is used to indicate commands you should type. Boldface type enclosed by less than (<) and greater than (>) signs is used to indicate labeled keys such as <ctrl> or <Esc>. <Return> is used to mean the Return, Enter, or equivalent key.

Responses or prompts displayed by the computer are in italics.

The RPLS Online Catalog will usually accept either lower or uppercase letters for searching or command purposes. When entering bibliographic records however, care should be taken to capitalize correctly.

To erase a character press <Delete>.

A field is a group of characters in a bibliographic record that is considered a single unit of information.

When creating a title record all fields must be completed as fully as possible unless the manual instructions state otherwise.

To log on:

Enter Username:

Enter Password:

Command line will be:

Program/LIST/PINE/PHONE/CHANGE (password)/QUIT >>>

Type LIST to bring listing of programs available:

BORMNT BORREG CIRCLE

GATEWAY NETCAT RESERVE

RESREPT

GATEWAY is used for Searching, and is what the public sees.

CIRCLE is used for circulation purposes.

BORREG is used for borrower registration.

NETCAT is used for cataloging

The Online Catalog can be searched using Gateway or Bibliographic Services in Circle.

USING GATEWAY

To move from the opening screen to the Search screen, type gateway, then highlight Find; enter. The computer will respond:

At this point you can search the Online Catalog in several ways. Prefixes and the types of fields they will search are:

*Keyword searching is searching a significant word from a title or notes field, etc. that is used as an index or content.

*Numeric searches can be done by ISBN, ISSN, DBCN, LCMARC numbers.

If there are no records in the database that match your search term, the computer will respond with terms USE: and RELATED TERM:

Highlight method of searching and press <Return>. For example, highlight Title, or Press <T>.

Enter the first word(s) of the TITLE -- omitting leading articles such as A, AN, and THE -- and press <Return>. Press <F10> to cancel.

If there are records in the database that match your search term, the computer will respond by giving you the record you want or a hit list or giving you the only record to fit the match.

To see the records(s), choose a number for a partial record display (Use Options to get full record display).

If there is only one matching record, the computer will display a single title record.

Holdings will be displayed on lower half of screen. Use L for locations or Control N for the next key for other locations if there are multiple copy records. Each copy record will consist of library name, call no., status, and mat class.

If there are multiple records, you must choose from hit list. If you own an item, it will be highlighted.

After all the copies have displayed, the computer will say: End of list. Press <Return> to search the database.

Enter number of record for detail.

You can see a detailed display of a particular title record by typing the record number and pressing <Return>.

The computer will then display a single complete title record.

Which option (1-5)? (Choose 3)

The screen below appears to continue the search:

Technical Services Search Keys

SEARCH KEYS	SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS AND EXAMPLES
T=Title	Enter title ignoring leading articles. Punctuation is optional. Upper or lower case may be used.
	Example: T=Clockwork Orange

A=Author	Enter last name first. Punctuation is optional. Upper or lower case may be used. EXAMPLE: A=Asimov Isaac

S=Subject	Enter subject. Dashes between subheadings are optional, as is all other punctuation. EXAMPLE: S=music--history and criticism

C=Call Number	Enter call number. Punctuation is optional, but spacing must reflect what is in the bibliographic record (not item record). Example: C=133.3

I=ISBN	Enter ISBN with no spaces or punctuation between digits. EXAMPLE: I=1556430930

N=ISSN	Enter ISSN with a space or hyphen to separate the two parts. EXAMPLE: N=0000 0027

L=LCCN	Enter LCCN with no spaces. EXAMPLE: L=80012463

R=Reference Control Number	Used for numbered fields specified by your library, (e.g.028 field, 035 field, etc.). Spacing must reflect what is in the bibliographic record. EXAMPLE: R=2310-896 Pablo
O=Original Record Control Number	Used for original record control numbers (e.g. OCLC number, RLIN number, etc.) EXAMPLE: O=000225220
Database Control Number	Enter the database control number with no search key. Hyphens are optional. EXAMPLE: AAA5234

B=Item ID (Barcode)	Enter the item ID number. EXAMPLE: B=088800068783

Item ID (Barcode)	Enter the item ID number at the>>prompt. EXAMPLE: 0888800068783

SEARCH QUALIFIERS

Dual Search (A=¦T=)	Enter an author search and a title search separated by ¦. EXAMPLE: A=twain¦T=adventures of huckleberry finn

High/Low Search	After entering a search, enter ¦ followed by the ending search term. This will search the database for everything that falls between the two search terms you specify. EXAMPLE: A=Smith¦Smyth

D=	After entering a search, enter ¦D=followed by the year to qualify the search by year. You may truncate the year. EXAMPLE: A=King¦D=1985

M=	After entering a search, enter ¦M=followed by the fixed field codes for the bibliographic type and level. EXAMPLE: T=Hamlet¦M=gm

LA=	After entering a search, enter ¦LA followed by the fixed field code for language. EXAMPLE: A=Camus¦LA=fre

Press (Return) to see additional holdings when the “<MORE>“ appears in the lower right corner.

Enter the line number to view an item record.

Full Marc Record in Bibliographic

Item List

Bibliographic Cataloging Utility --Holdings Section--

BIB DBCN: AAB-09704

Davis, Miles. Kind of blue [sound recording] New York, NY: Columbia Records. 1981

CENTRAL

1. CALL NUMBER: CBS CK:08163 -- CD -- Available

Enter ‘H’ at the double arrow prompt to view holdings attached to a bibliographic record