How Can I Find a Video or a CD in the Library? Limiting Your Search

Limiting your search is useful when you are looking for something specific such as searching for DVDs on music in the Library. Instead of starting with a very narrow search criteria--and possibly missing related items--you may want to start as broadly as possible, and then limit your search.

There are two ways to use the limit function in the Online Library Catalog. You can use the "Quick Limits" list on the Simple Search screen. This allows you to limit your results to videorecording, Serials in English, Materials published after 1990 and Materials published after 2000.

Let's say you want to find out music videos that the library has. Use Simple Search and Keyword Relevance Search.

  1. Type in "music" in the Find This box.
  2. Click the "quick limit" drop-down menu and limit your search results to "videorecording."

limit music to videorecording using the quick limit menu

The system will retrieve all the records that contain music in their fields. Remember a keyword search may retrieve many that are irrelevant. The titles that are listed at the top are the most relevant. Click here for a demonstration.

If you are having trouble finding and locating audiovisual materials, please ask the reference librarian for help.

Note: Search limits are available for title keyword search, keyword relevance search and call number search not call number browse

You can also use the " Limits" button at the bottom of the page to increase your options.

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