Browse the Catalog

When you browse the library catalog, you can type just the first few letters or numbers of your search term—an author’s name, a subject, a series name, a title, or a call number. The results list shows the portion of the catalog index that begins with the text you have typed. You can scroll through the index to see more headings or listings. You may also find useful links to related headings or listings. When you select a heading or listing in the index, you see information about the titles associated with the heading or listing. Remote databases are not available for browse searching.

To do a browse search

  1. On the Search menu select Browse.
  2. In the Search for list, select an index option (Title, Author, Subject, Series, or Call Number).
  3. Note: Call number options may differ depending on the library to which you are currently connected. LC (Library of Congress) and Dewey options display the corresponding call number index drawn from the bibliographic records of the catalog. LC call numbers begin with one or two alphabetic characters (letters). Dewey call numbers begin with numbers. Omit any prefix, such as Ref. Call Number displays the call number index of the individual items on the library shelves, so your results are like a shelf list for the local branch. This option is available only when you are connected to a branch, not the library system.

  4. In the that begins with box, type the first few letters or numbers of the title, author’s last name, the subject word, the series name, or the call number.
  5. Click or tap the search icon .
  6. The results list displays the catalog headings or listings, and the number of titles associated with each heading or listing.

  7. Navigate the index using one of these methods:
  8. Select a heading or listing to display the associated titles.
  9. To return to the headings list, select Go Back to Browse Results.