Using Catalyst: Search Limits and Result Limits
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

  • Use the Quick Location Limits in the Basic Search Screen to apply a Library Location limit to title, journal title, and keyword searches.
  • The Set Limits button offers more limits than the Quick Location Limits dropdown menu. You can restrict searches to specific years, languages, types of materials or Library location.  You can also combine multiple limits.
Setting Search Limits and Using Result ("Post") Limits
Click to enlarge Follow These Steps
limits1.jpg (248940 bytes) If a search results in too many hits, use the Quick Location Limits drop-down menu, or the Set Limits function to narrow search results.

From the Basic Search screen, both search limit methods are restricted to Keyword and Title searches. Do not use them with Author, Subject or Call Number searches. 

Search limits can be used with any type of search from the Custom Search screen.
limits2.jpg (107400 bytes) Quick Location Limits allow you to select a specific Library location (CSM Theses, Map Collections, Archives, etc.).  To do so, select the location from the drop-down menu prior to your search.
limits3.jpg (148708 bytes) The Set Limits button allows you to choose from a list of search limits including publication year, language, Library location, and place of publication).
limits4.jpg (150628 bytes) If you want to impose a date limit, enter a date in the Year box and select the radio button to the left of the symbol you wish to apply.  In this example you are limiting items to a publication date after 1990.
limits5.jpg (106369 bytes) To select a limit such as language, simply highlight a term.  To highlight multiple terms, hold down the CTRL key as you do your selection.  To highlight a range of terms, highlight the first term and then hold down the SHIFT key when you highlight the second term.
limits7.jpg (106877 bytes) When you have your limits set the way you want, press the Submit button.  On the returned search screen you will see a "Search limits are in effect for Title and Keyword searches only!" notice.  An Undo Limits button will appear in the lower right corner of the dialog box.  Note that you may have to retype your search terms.
limits7.jpg (106877 bytes) Remember to click Undo Limits when you are finished imposing your search limits, otherwise they will remain in effect for all subsequent searches.
limits8.jpg (133880 bytes) The Post Limit button appears in Title Lists of search results. This option allows you to change or select additional limits. 

When you use the Post Limit button, your search is not rerun, the limits you specify are simply imposed against your current results set.  You can run these limits whenever you see the Post Limit button.

The Post Limit button allows you to choose from the entire list of search limits including publication year, language, location, place of publication, and more.