Step 1
STEP 1: The Library Website
So you want to search for a book in the library's catalog? Great! First access the Simmons library page, either through the link in Falcon Net or directly at the following link: https://simmonscollegeky.libguides.com/home. The library page should look like the image below. You'll see a search bar on the right side of the page called "Quick Search." This is where you'll search for any library materials, including print books, ebooks, and DVDs.
Step 2
STEP 2: Using Quick Search
Type what you're looking for in the search bar. It can be a title, an author, a subject, a keyword, etc. But remember: keep it simple. Searching "Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Junior" will show you results with any of those words ("reverend" and "doctor" will bring in lots of results not related to Dr. King), so "Martin Luther King" makes for a much better search. Actually, "Martin King" is an even better search, since that keeps you from getting results about the 16th Century reformist Martin Luther. In the example below, I've used James Cone. After you've clicked in the empty search box and typed what you want to search, click the search button.
Step 3
STEP 3: The OPAC
A search brings you to the library's Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC). This is where you're able to see what the library has to offer. I've highlighted in different colors a few things to help you navigate these results.
Yellow: Once you've reached this page, you don't need to go back to the other library page to do more searches - you can just search again in the search box highlighted in yellow.
Blue: Remember to look for filters that help to weed out results you're not looking for. For example, if you're only looking for eBooks, you can click on "eBook" under the Format section. Or if you're only looking for books where James Cone is the author, you can expand the Author section and click on "Cone, James H."
Green: This is an example of a print book. You can see how many copies the library has and if they are available. Important, too, is the Shelf Location (don't worry if you don't know how to find it on the shelves from that string of letters and numbers - we'll help you find it).
Orange: You can tell this option is an eBook because it says so beneath the cover picture and also because it says "Downloadable" beneath the author name. Click on the "More Options" button and the OPAC will link you to an EBSCO database, where you can then download the eBook. For more information on using research databases, check out this YouTube video created by a former director: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMr3kEFgEhU.
Step 4
STEP 4: Book Details
When you click on the title of a book, the OPAC will show you more details, including a summary, publication information, and Library of Congress subject headings. Subject headings (highlighted in blue) are particularly helpful in determining whether a book is relevant to your particular search.
