General Search
Users can keyword search using the search bar at the top of the page. By using this search box, the patron will search (called a global search) across all archival descriptions, authority records, subjects, images, and documents in the search portal. The search results will return the keyword that is available at any archival description level – collection, series, box, folder, or item / unit.
While typing, the search box will display faceted results the patron is searching. If a patron wants to see the result, click on the result in the window. The patron can also click on the “all matching descriptions”. If the faceted results do not satisfy the search, continue to type the term.
The title of the results will appear, and include, if an archival description, the collection name. On the left side, filters can be selected to further narrow the search results if needed. The archival descriptions in which the name appears are listed with the number of hits within a particular description. In addition, if the keyword has hits as a creator or subject, it will be listed as well.
The search results can also be filtered by level of archival description (item, folder, unit box, collection) or media type (text, image).
Advanced Search
To do an advanced search, click on the gear icon next to the search box. Then click on the “Advanced search options” bar. Advanced search is also accessible after doing a general keyword search. Again, select the “Advanced search options” bar above the results.
A keyword search can be done that can be narrowed down and filtered.
“Find results with”
Enter keyword. In the “Any field” box, select the appropriate field to search or just leave as it is.
It is possible to add “And”, “Or”, or “Not”, then selecting the appropriate field.
“Limit results by”
Users can search within the top-level archival descriptions. Click in the box and some descriptions will appear. Knowing the name of the top-level descriptions will help. Start typing in the name and it should appear.
“Filter results by”
Users can further narrow the results, using any, some, all, or none of the fields. You can choose:
• Level of description: the level of description in the archival description which includes, collection, series, box, folder, item or unit.
• Digital object available: Yes or no.
• Finding aid: Yes or no. A user can select generated or upload but is not recommended.
• Copyright status: Public domain, under copyright, unknown.
• General material designation: Use is not recommend.
These filters can be applied to “top-level descriptions” (collections) or “All descriptions”.
“Filter by date range”
Users can also search by a date range. The fields searched are “Start” and “End” dates within an archival description or images. These were sometimes completed in the archival description if there was a range of dates.
The dates can either overlap or must be exact.
Boolean Searching
The most common Boolean searches use “And”, “Or”, and “Not”. Those searches can be done the advanced search.
Examples: cats and dogs will find both cats and dogs, narrowing any search; cats or dogs will find either, expanding any search; cats not dogs will find cats but not dogs.
If a single term, the search will always search for a whole word only. Users can also enter a phrase as well, such as "Pheasant lecture”. The search will only find the exact string of words in quotes.
If wanting to search for a word beyond the exact term, use a * as a wild card to search for the root of the word.
Example: photograph* will find all words “photograph” whether it is a whole word or not. It will return any word with “photograph”, including “photographer”, “photographs” or any other word with the root “photograph”.