Using Purchase's Online Catalog

Use the Purchase College online catalog to find books, videos/dvds, cds/albums, some government documents and microfilm/fiche. (You cannot locate periodicals articles using the online catalog--use the print and online indexes "databases" to find periodical articles or article citations). For more information on finding and searching citations, please see www.purchase.edu/library/finding_articles.asp.

It is recommended that you access the catalog (and all the Purchase College resources) using MS Internet Explorer as your browser; Netscape and Mozzilla do not consistently provide or display reliable search results. Also, be aware that pop-up blocker software may inhibit some functions. You should set your blocker to "Always allow pop-ups from this site".

BASIC SEARCH
Basic Search defaults to searching in all fields of a record. Click the down arrow to expose the pull down menu and a specific field name if you prefer to search by Author, Title, Subject, etc. Be careful to be exact. If you are not sure of the exact subject heading or title, stick to a "Words Anywhere" search.

GUIDED/ADVANCED SEARCH
*       There are several additional search options available.
*       You can do very specific combination searches in this screen. By using the drop down boxes to make selections you can limit searches. Be careful in doing this. Limiting by Collection ( Resource Center, Special Collections, etc.) or Format ( Serial, Musical Score, ect.) are some of the most helpful of these options. Document Type and Year (which refers to publication not subject) is trickier to use.
*       For Boolean OR or NOT searches, enter your search statement in one box or use "command search".

RESULTS LIST: Your search results will include all catalogued library resources that match your search terms, and those items normally display most current publication dates first. For more information about an item, click on its title. Click on Availability (on the right or from the detailed screen) to see whether the item is checked in.

Questions may be directed to your subject specialist, the Reference Desk at 914-251-6417, or emailed to lib.reference@purchase.edu

SEARCH TIPS FOR BASIC & ADVANCED SEARCHING
*       Searching is case insensitive, meaning that searches for bach will yield the same results as those for Bach or BACH.
*       Apostrophes are ignored: When typing in a search term, the apostrophe an be used EX: lily's OR left out EX: lily's.
*       Truncation:
*       The ? character or *(asterisk) can be placed at the left  right or middle of a portion of a word, but can never be used more than once in a text string. ( Ex: multipl? or multipl* will locate multiple multiples multiply multiplying, etc.)
*       The # symbol can be used to find variant spellings in cases where one version of the word has one more character than another version. For example, colo#r finds both color and colour: and arch#eology finds both archaeology and archeology.
*       The! character can be used to find variant spellings in cases where a single character can vary. For example, wom!n retrieves both woman and women or the gender hip term "womyn".
*       The % symbol, followed by a number, can be placed between two words to indicate that you want the words to appear within a particular distance from each other. For example, england %3 ballads retrieves Ballads of England, Ballads of Merry Olde England and England and Her Ballads.

SOME OF THE FEATURES AVAILABLE IN BASIC & ADVANCED SEARCHING FILTERS
Once you have generated a list, you can choose a filter to view a subset of your List of Records. Click on the word Filter to access the following choices:
*     Available material: that is, items that are not signed out. This is an excellent way to see which materials are on the shelves. (Non-circulating materials that may be used in the building will also display as Available.
*     There are additional filter options available. Click on Filter to see all the possibilites.

SAVE/MAIL
You can send the selected materials to your e-mail address. This is often a good idea--especially in preparation for your works cited list or for future reference.

ADD TO BASKET
You can add records to your basket while you search. First select a record you are interested in by clicking on the blank box that preceeds the author name; a check mark should appear. Now click Add to Basket link. If you click Add to Basket from detailed display screen, you can add an optional note to yourself. When you are done searching, you can click on Basket to view or email contents of your basket or to save the records to your own computer or email them to yourself.

RENEW BOOKS/SIGN-IN/VIEW PERSONAL CIRCULATION INFORMATION
*     Click on "Sign-In" Enter the 14-digit barcode on your Purchase     More Card.  
*     Enter the last 5 (FIVE) numbers of your Social Security Number.
*     Click on "View Profile."

If you have problems signing in, please call the circulation desk at 914-251-6402

*      After signing in, you should see "You Are Signed -In" at the top of the screen. Click on the link Renew Books/View Personal Circulation Information to continue.

BE SURE TO: Print out a receipt for all renewed items. If for some reason there is a discrepancy between your records and the library's records regarding the due date of an item, it will be YOUR responsibility to provide proof of renewal. The print out must include the item's description and the NEW due date.

*       You may also use this function to see what you have signed out, to renew due items, and to view an itemized list of your outstanding fines and fees.
*       Click on Update address and e-mail address to view and update this information. Changes here will NOT change the address on file with the Registrar. Be sure to also change your address with the Registrar's Office.
*     Click on Change Password to change the password associated with your library number and library account.
*     Click on End Session and GO to sign-out of Personal Circulation Information.