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Library Search Tips
The Child Welfare Information Gateway Library has an extensive collection of documents you can access on topics related to protecting children and strengthening families. To find a document in our Library, you may search Author's last name, Title, Subject, Abstract, Corporate Author, and Children's Bureau Grant numbers.
Search tips
Special Symbols:
- An asterisk (*). Used at the end of a search term, an asterisk allows any ending or suffix. For example, "child*" will bring up "child" and "childlike" and "children." Used at the beginning of a search term, an asterisk allows any prefix. For example, "*parent" will bring up "parent" and "grandparent" and "stepparent."
- A comma (,). A comma is read as "or." For example, "substance abuse, drug abuse" will bring up any works with "substance abuse" OR "drug abuse."
- A question mark (?). Using a question mark in the keyword tells the search to look for a single letter where the ? is. For example, entering adop? tells the search to look for any words that have a single letter after adop (such as adopt but not adoption).
- An ampersand (&). An ampersand is read as "and." For example, "parent & community" will bring up works that have both of the words, "parent" and "community."
If commas are in the title, do not enter them in the search field.
Grant numbers are often shown as 90-CB-1234. In searches, the dashes are removed so that "90CB1234" is the correct way to search by grant number. "*1234" would also bring up the same grant number.
Search terms are not case sensitive, so "Child Abuse" will give the same results as "child abuse."
Fewer words in the search will result in a greater number of results.
Advanced search tips
Special Symbols:
- An asterisk (*). Used at the end of a search term, an asterisk allows any ending or suffix. For example, "child*" will bring up "child" and "childlike" and "children." Used at the beginning of a search term, an asterisk allows any prefix. For example, "*parent" will bring up "parent" and "grandparent" and "stepparent."
- A comma (,). A comma is read as "or." For example, "substance abuse, drug abuse" will bring up any works with "substance abuse" OR "drug abuse."
- An ampersand (&). An ampersand is read as "and." For example, "parent & community" will bring up works that have both of the words, "parent" and "community."
- A colon (:). Used in the Year field, a colon allows you to limit to a specific range of years. For example, 2005:2009 will bring up works published between 2005 and 2009.
- A question mark (?). Using a question mark in the keyword tells the search to look for a single letter where the ? is. For example, entering adop? tells the search to look for any words that have a single letter after adop (such as adopt but not adoption).
Field Tips:
- Title. If commas are in the title, do not enter them in the search field.
- Subject. This field searches keywords, abstract, and title.
- Author. This field searches the author's last name or part of last name followed by an asterisk (*).
- CB Grant No. Grant numbers are often shown as 90-CB-1234. In searches, the dashes are removed so that "90CB1234" is the correct way to search by grant number. "*1234" would also bring up the same grant number.
- Year. A colon allows you to limit to a specific range of years. For example, 2005:2009 will bring up works published between 2005 and 2009.
Other Tips:
- Search terms are not case sensitive, so "Child Abuse" will give the same results as "child abuse."
- Expand or narrow your search by using the modifier box to the right of the search field.
- Fewer words in the search will result in a greater number of results.
Do you have resources to add to our collection?