Library of Congress Online Catalog: Help Pages

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  UNICODE:
  Displaying Non-Roman
  Characters

  SEARCHING:
  Basic Search Overview
  Keyword Searches:
  - Keyword
  - Title Keyword
  - Author/Creator
  - Subject Keyword
  - Name/Title
  - Series/Uniform Title
  Other Searches:
  - Expert Search
  - Title Begins With
  - Author/Creator Browse
  - Subject Browse
  - Call No. Browse (LC)
  - Call No. Browse (Other)
  - Number Search
  - Author Sorted by Title
  Guided Search


  Limiting Searches
  Search History
  Boolean Searching

  INDEX CODES:
  for Guided Searches
  for Expert Searches

  SEARCH RESULTS:
  Brief Record
  Subjects/Content
  Full Record
  MARC Tags


  Headings List
  Titles List
  Titles List (Keyword)
  References/Scope Notes
  Save, Print, Email

  OTHER TOPICS:
  Headings List Types
  Material Types
  Database Selection
  Icons, Buttons & Tabs
  Session Time-Outs

Search History allows the user to re-execute or edit any previous search performed in the current session.

Using Search History

Select the Search Historybutton from the top button bar to view a table of previous searches (at least one search must be completed for the button to be available).

Note: when searches are re-executed, any Search Limits that are currently in effect will be applied. However, previously set Search Limits will no longer be available (they can be reset by the user prior to re-executing the search from Search History).

The Search History display has four columns:

  • Select to Edit - searches are listed in the order entered, most recent first; select a number to edit search terms, reset options, etc.
  • Hits - the number of catalog records retrieved
  • Type of Search - the search method used (e.g., Subject, Name, Keyword, Command Keyword, etc.) shown as a hypertext link; select to re-execute the search
  • Search Query - the word or phrase searched (including Boolean operators and punctuation) shown as a hypertext link; select to re-execute the search

Search History Tips:

  • Select the hyperlinked text in the Type of Search or Search Query columns to re-execute the search.

  • Select the number in the Select to Edit column to edit the search on the search method screen originally used.

  • The Search History does not retain information about Search Limits. When a search is re-executed or edited, any current limits in effect will be used instead of limits previously specified.

  • Selecting [Start Over], located on button bar at the top of the screen, causes the Search History to be cleared. Select [New Search] to search again without clearing the Search History.

  • Subject Browse, Author/Creator Browse, and Call Number Browse searches display the legend Inex Browse in the Hits column instead of a number. These searches are set to "browse" the catalog, rather than return a distinct set of records that match the search.

Use the browser's [Back] button to resume searching.

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June 25, 2008