Using Catalyst: Custom Search Screen
Arthur Lakes Library
Colorado School of Mines
1400 Illinois Street
Golden, Colorado 80401
Phone: (303) 273-3911
Fax: (303) 273-3199
Library Home Page

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The Custom Search Screen finds records using keywords located anywhere in the record or in specific parts (fields) of the record.
  • The Custom Search Screen is helpful when you are looking for a specific item but do not know the initial words of a title or the author's complete name. It can also be used to create a focused search strategy combining keywords with various fields.
Using the Custom Search Screen
Click to enlarge Follow These Steps
custom1.jpg (158932 bytes) Custom Search finds records using keywords located anywhere in a record, or located only in specific fields.  This is similar to the Keyword searches on the Basic Search Screen, but with some important differences. For example, the search results are not relevance ranked, and you can limit your search to specific "fields" (author, title, etc.).
custom2.jpg (114102 bytes) Go to the Custom Search screen in Catalyst.  Type in the search term(s) you want to find in the Search for field. (Punctuation, case, and word order are ignored.) Use the question mark (?) for truncation.  For example, comput? finds computers, computing, etc. 

Select the field you wish to search by using the Search by drop-down menu.
custom2.jpg (114102 bytes) Custom searching is especially useful if you are looking for specific items or if you would like to create a precise search strategy:
  • Select from the drop-down list whether you want to search for all the search terms, any of the search terms, or the search terms as a phrase.
  • Select which Boolean operator you want applied to the next search term(s): AND, OR, or NOT.
  • Narrow your search by further limiting by entering information in the following free text fields and selecting options and Boolean operators from the drop down menu as needed.
custom4.jpg (119655 bytes) Tip: You must fill out the topmost dialog row.  You can not skip a row to fill out one below it.
basic4.jpg (150757 bytes) (Optional) You can reduce the number of search results and improve search relevance by clicking the Set Limits button and choosing from a list of limits (year, language, Library location etc.).  Search limits stay in effect until you exit Catalyst or click on the Undo button!
basic7.jpg (133416 bytes) For information about a specific item, click on the item's hyper-linked title or author. The red and white Internet graphic in the returned title list indicates the availability of an online or electronic resource.  Click on the graphic or go to the item view for the URL.
basic8.jpg (114247 bytes) The Brief View will provide basic information, including location in the Library and call number, about the title you choose to view.  For journals, this view provides information on the volumes that the Library owns. 
basic9.jpg (126199 bytes) For the full record click on Detailed View.  Hyper-linked subject terms that you find in the full record can be used to help you to expand your search. 
basic10.jpg (107884 bytes) Use the Help button for other ways to improve your search.