Academic Support

Library Catalog 

Homepage

Top Navigation Menu

• New Search: Click the LIBRARY SEARCH tab to start a new search.
• Access A-Z Database List: Click the DATABASE LIST tab to access the library’s database list.
• Access library website: Click the ASK A LIBRARIAN tab to access the library website.
• Sign In: Sign in to your library account with your CF email and password prior to searching to be able to view, and download materials.

Search Box

• Keywords: Type your keywords in the search box, and click Enter.
• Filters: Use the filters located below the search box, to narrow results by format, title or author, etc. 

Results Page

• Filters: Use the filters in the side navigation to narrow results by: format, resource, location, subject, date, author, and more.
• Results: Results are displayed in the center of the page. Click the title of the source to access the item’s details page.

Item's Details Page

• Article Access: There are different ways to access the content of an article. The Get PDF option will allow you to directly access the PDF of the article. You can also access an article via the Read Online link, and the Available Online link
• Send Features: You can email, print, cite, and get the source’s permalink in the articles details page.
• Subject Terms: Examine the list of subject terms in the Details page to check if you need to tweak your keywords to terms used by the database.
• Article Description: Get an overview of what the article is about by reading the description located towards the end of the page.

Database Search Strategies

1. Divide your topic into concepts and/or subject phrases.

• Search databases produce results when keywords, or subject phrases are entered.
• Link keywords using the words: and, or, and not; these words are called Boolean Operators.

2. Make a list of synonyms, and related terms; add or edit the list as you search.

• Be aware that a set of keywords might work well in one database, and in another database, those same keywords will retrieve few to no results.
• Translate those terms when needed; this is where your list of related terms will come in handy.

3. Find database-specific language.

• As you search, look at the words that appear in the results list, and in the detailed description of an article that you find useful.
• In an item’s details page, you will find headings labeled such as: subjects, subject headings, or descriptors; these synonyms/related terms are the specific vocabulary used by that database to describe your search terms.

4. Use online searching shortcut techniques.

• Use quotation marks, Boolean Operators, truncation (asterisk), and/or parantheses to combine search strings. View examples below. 

Tips & Tricks

Boolean Operators: combine keywords using the words: and, or, not.

• AND: Narrows your search by returning results that contain your specific keywords.

            Ex: Standardized testing AND public schools

• OR: Broadens the search by returning results that contain either or both search terms.

             Ex: Virtual learning OR distance education OR Online learning

• NOT: Excludes results with the search term that follows the word not. The order of your search terms matter when utilizing the word not.

             Ex: Saturn NOT planet

Parantheses : Use parantheses to combine search strings.

• (adult students OR nontraditional students) AND (rural OR nonurban) 

Quotation Marks: use quotation marks to search for exact phrases.

• "first generation" 

Asterisk (also known as Truncation): enter the root of at term, and replace the ending with an *

• Librar* - the system will find results with library, librarian, libraries, librarianship, etc.