Library patrons may access the entire BHS library collection by clicking the below:

 

BHS' On-Line Catalog

---

TIPS ON USING ALEXANDRIA'S ON-LINE CARD CATALOG:

• The electronic card catalog allows you to do simple searches using key words and by clicking on "SUBJECT."
• The electronic card catalog allows you to do title searches and by clicking on "TITLE."
• The electronic card catalog allows you to do author searches and by clicking on "AUTHOR."
• Here is information that you can obtain once you have found the item for which you were seeking:
  • The purple bar contains the title, author, call number, and tells you whether the book is checked in or out.
  • Click on the purple bar and you will find additional information such as book length and whether it is illustrated.
  • Note that anywhere you see blue type, if you click on it more information is provided. For example, if you want to see other books by the same author, click on her/his name and if we have them, a complete list of the author's books will appear. Another example: if you are researching "atomic theory, and your search gives you one book, then click on "atomic theory" and a complete listing of the books mentioning "atomic theory" will appear.

BOOLEAN SEARCHES: A BETTER WAY TO FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR.

Sometimes a simple search will either give you too much information or not enough. The best way to narrow or broaden a search is by using the Boolean connectors: "and,"or," "and not". On the first page of Alexandria's card catalog you will notice tabs across the top of the page. Click on "Boolean."

Here is an example of how a Boolean search works. Let's say you are looking for information on a specific breed of dog, an Australian Shepherd. If you did a simple search and typed in "dogs," your search would yield any book that mentions "dogs," is about "dogs," or has "dogs" in the title. You could literally get over a 100 book titles.

TO NARROW YOUR SEARCH:

A quicker more efficient search is to use Boolean connectors. In one blank, type the word "Australian." Use the connector "and," then add the word "Shepherd" in the next blank. The computer will now only seek books that mention the word "Australian Shepherd" in the title or body of the book.

Boolean Rule #1: "AND" always narrows a search.

TO WIDEN YOUR SEARCH:

In one blank, type the word "Australian." Choose the connector "or." In the next blank, type the word "Shepherd." The computer will look for every book that mentions the word "Australian" or "Shepherd" in the title or body of the book.

Boolean Rule #2: "OR" always widens your search.

ANOTHER WAY TO NARROW YOUR SEARCH:

In one blank, type the word "Shepherd." Choose the connector "and/not." In the next blank, type the word, "German." Alexandria lets you continue adding connectors, so add the connector "and." Then type in the word "dog." This search will yield every type of dog that qualifies as being a shepherd but will leave out German Shepherds.

Boolean Rule #3: "AND/NOT" always narrows your search.

WORDS, WORDS, AND MORE WORDS:

The key to finding information in either a simple or advanced Boolean search is to find the right words to associate with your research problem. Don't become discouraged because one search does not find what you need. Think of words that help describe what information that you need.

Example: Let's say that you are looking for information related to television's effect on young people. If you put "television" into a search blank, think of the many returns you will get, everything from books that deal with how televisions work to books that deal with television shows. But if you choose good words associated with "television" and possible problems associated with watching television, you will find what you need. So, "television" and "sex" and "teenagers" will lead you to what you need. Or, "television" and "violence" and/not "Iraq." Or "television" and "violence" or "sex." The combinations you choose will determine whether you win or lose in the search for the perfect resource.