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Library Search: Home

Help and advice on using Library Search

 

Library Search  - our new combined catalogue and discovery system.

On this page, you will find:

- An annotated image of Library Search

- 'How to' videos

- Questions and answers

If you have any questions please contact libenqs@soton.ac.uk or use the the "Start a live Library chat" or "Book an online Appointment" on this page. 

Getting started

 

To search an item, start by entering your terms into the search bar at the top of the page. You can use the filters on the left side to narrow your search results. The search results will appear at the centre of the page. You can select the item by clicking the link. If you need help, click the Chat icon located on the lower right side of the screen. Under that icon there is another icon – click it if you want to choose more databases.

 

 

Sign into Library Search. This will allow you to search for library resources and more.

To search for resources,

1. Start by entering your terms in the Search Bar. The video below will demonstrate how to conduct basic searches to find the book or ebook you need and your reading list.

For Word document transcript click here.

 

2. You can also search journal articles as demonstrated in the video below.

For Word document transcript click here.

 

3. View the search results and select the item by using the hyperlink.

4. If you need help and want to use the Chat service, select the top blue round icon located on the lower right side of the screen. If you want to choose more databases, select the lower blue icon on right side of the screen.

5. If you would like to check your Account, please watch this short video that will cover all basic functionality of the system.

For Word document transcript click here.

 

6. If you would like to request a book, journal article, digitisation or an item for a specific accessibility need -  this could be something we have or need to request from another library, please watch this video on how to tell the library what you would like and in what format. This is a free service to staff and students. 

For Word document transcript click here.

Book online appointment. Imagee:iStock-1212108555

Library Search questions and answers

 

How can I check which books I've borrowed? Can I keep them for longer?

You can check and renew your loans by logging into your account on Library Search. Click 'Sign In' at the top of the page and select 'University Students and Staff'. Login with your University email address and password. Once you're signed in, click on 'My Account' at the top of the page and select 'Checkouts' from the drop-down list. You should see a list of the books you have on loan, with the dates they're due to be returned to the Library. You can renew your books and extend their due dates (as long as no one else has requested them) by selecting them and clicking 'Renew items'.

 

The book I want to borrow is on loan. How can I request it (placing a hold)?

To request the book, go to the book record in Library Search. On the right side of the page, you should see an 'Access options' box. Select 'Place Hold'. We will send you an email as soon as the book is available for you to collect.

 

I've found an item I want to borrow. How do I locate it in the Library?

Click on an item record in Library Search and scroll down. You should see which libraries stock the item, and beneath these, shelving numbers and call numbers. You should also be able to see if the item is available. We have floorplans and photo tours for all our Libraries. These can help you locate physical items and collections. Our floorplans and photo tours are available on our campus pages. You can find these by going to our homepage https://library.soton.ac.uk/homepage Click on the 'Services and Campuses' tab at the top of the page and select the campus you need from the drop-down list.

 

A book / article I want to read isn't available in the Library. Should I purchase a copy?

No! If you come across a book or article that we don't have in our collections, we may be able to purchase a copy for you, or borrow a copy from another Library. Log in to Library Search and click 'My Account'. Select 'Requests' from the drop-down list. Choose the type of resource you want to request, and fill in as much detail as you can. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click 'Submit Request'. If you have any problems requesting a resource through Library Search, please email us at libenqs@soton.ac.uk

 

How can I access Library resources off-campus?

We recommend connecting to our VPN before accessing Library resources off-campus. You can find our guide to accessing Library resources off-campus here: https://library.soton.ac.uk/offcampus

 

I'm getting too many search results. What can I do to limit my search?

You can narrow your results by using filters; these are on the left side of the Library Search results page. You could also try using Boolean operators to focus your results. Boolean Operators (OR, AND, NOT) allow you to include and exclude specific keywords or subjects from your search results. We have some videos and guides to 'finding information' in the 'Training and Workshops' section of our Academic Skills page: https://library.soton.ac.uk/sash/workshops/online-training

 

How can I search for a specific type of resource? For example, a music score, book review, newspaper, online map, DVD...
You can use the 'format' filter on the left side of the page to narrow your search results and choose the type of resource you want to view. If you want to change the type of resource you're viewing (for example, you're viewing articles but you want to look through music scores instead), scroll to the top of the page. You should see your filter(s) underneath the blue heading bar. You can remove filters by clicking the blue crosses. Remember - Library Search searches many (but not all) of our key databases. You can find and access other resources (such as journal databases, online maps, music scores, newspapers, online films etc.) through your subject page, or our A-Z database list: https://library.soton.ac.uk/az.php

 

I'm not getting enough search results. What can I do to expand my search?

Try using different search terms. You could use synonyms and related terms, narrower and more focused terms or broader concepts. If you've used filters, try removing some of them (you should see all your filters at the top of the page underneath the blue heading bar). Remember - Library Search searches many (but not all) of our key databases. You can find and access other databases and resources through your subject page, or our A-Z database list: https://library.soton.ac.uk/az.php You can also find help and advice on our research skills guide: https://library.soton.ac.uk/sash/introduction-to-research-skills

 

How can I search for artists' books, Visionaires and items in the Knitting Reference Library?

You can find items from these collections by searching for "artists books", "Knitting Reference Library" or "Visionaire" in Library Search. Make sure you use speech marks around each resource title. If you search for Knitting Reference Library (without using speech marks), your results will include resources that only include one of the words. For example, some results will match ‘Reference’, but have nothing to do with the Knitting Reference Library. If you ever want to search for an exact phrase in Library Search, remember to use speech marks. You can find out more about these collections here: https://library.soton.ac.uk/wsa/specialcollections If you have any questions about accessing these collections or you would like us to recommend some resources for you, please send us an email: libenqs@soton.ac.uk

 

I can't find the answer to my question. What should I do now?

Please contact us; we're here to help! You can book a 1:1 appointment, contact us on Library Chat (for a quick response during opening hours) or send us an email: https://library.soton.ac.uk/home/contact 

 

How can I create a Search Alert?

Search Alerts allow you to receive a weekly email notification of any new content that matches your search. 
  • Enter your search keywords and add any filters (for example, journal articles only)
  • Click on Create Alert at the top right of the results screen (you may be prompted to login) and name your search
  • Notifications of new results will be sent weekly to the email address of your choice for 36 months. You will only receive an email when there are new results
  • You can manage your alerts and unsubscribe from receiving alerts at any time by clicking on the link in the notification emails, or in the Search Activity section of My Account in Library Search