This document provides an overview of advanced online searching techniques that can be used on search engines and library databases. It discusses how to search for phrases, search within specific sites or domains, and perform multiple searches using operators like OR. Specific examples are given for advanced searching features available on Google, such as dictionary, unit conversions, and package tracking. The document also reviews how to use advanced searching on the library catalog and databases, including different types of searches and search tips.

1. Online Treasure Hunting

2. Online Treasure Hunting
• Your Instructor:
Kathryn Bergeron
Systems Librarian
248/554-4650
Kathryn.Bergeron@baldwinlib.org

3. Agenda
1. Advanced Searching Techniques
1. Searching a phrase
2. Searching within a site
3. Perform Multiple Searches
2. Advanced Google Searching
1. Dictionary
2. Conversions
3. Tracking
3. Advanced Library Searching
1. Catalog
2. Library Databases

4. Computer & Internet Use @
the Library
• Acceptable Use Policy
– Obey all laws regarding copyright
– No obscene/harmful to minors material
– No damage to equipment or network
– No personal software
– No illegal activities

5. Advanced Searching Techniques
• Many are common across search engines
• Some are particular to a certain search engine
• They can be used in databases, search
engines, individual websites, etc…

6. Searching a Phrase
• Most common way: enclose the phrase in quotation
marks
“nights are long but you're on your way”
• This is a lyric from the theme song to “Who’s the Boss”.
• Without quotes, it doesn’t appear on page 1
• With the quotes it is result #1
• Works in Google, Yahoo!, and Bing and many other
databases and search engines
• Be wary, if you use the wrong word, you’ll miss your
result (i.e. nights are long but I’m on my way)

7. Searching within a site
• If a website does not have a “search site”, try
searching within a site
Bing & Yahoo!: url:baldwinlib.org
Google: site:baldwinlib.org
treasure hunting site:baldwinlib.org
• It will search all of the sub-sites listed to that
domain

8. Perform Multiple Searches
• Use the OR to search for several different
terms
Red Wings Stanley Cup 1997 OR 1998
• This will search for either the Stanley Cup win
in 1997 or the one in 1998
– Otherwise you’ll be searching for both 1997 and
1998 wins
• Google or Yahoo! And many other searches

9. Advanced Google Searching
• Google has all kinds of specific search engines
• Performing a normal Google search will bring
up results from other Google search engines
at the top
Michigan Elections
• Brings up news and video results

10. Google Searching - Dictionary
• Need the definition of a word…
define: library
• It will automatically bring you to a collection
of definitions for the word “library”

11. Google Searching - Conversions
• Google can do your conversions:
3 lbs in kg
time Hong Kong
10 us dollars in pounds
2 cups in tbsp
• Unit Conversions, time conversion, currency
conversion, and cooking conversions

12. Google Search - Tracking
• Google can do your tracking
weather
movies
Delta 2044
GOOG
1Z9999W99999999999
• Track weather, movies, flights, stocks, and packages
• Google knows where you are, so either of the following will bring
the same results:
weather Farmington Hills, MI
Weather
– Our Internet Service is routed from Farmington Hills, so within the
library you will get results for Farmington Hills, but from home you
should get whichever city you are in.

13. Advanced Library Searching
• You can use your advanced searching within
the library

14. Advanced Library Searching -
Catalog
Browse Keyword Exact
Type of Search
Power Search

15. Advanced Library Searching -
Catalog
• Browse – Use this when you think you the
beginning of a title but aren’t sure
– i.e. Girl with the serpent markings
• Keyword – Use this when you don’t know the first
word of a title
– i.e. Dragon Girl
• Exact – Use only when you are sure that you
know the whole title (no “a”, “an”, or “the”)
– i.e. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
**All examples are for the book “The Girl With the
Dragon Tattoo”

16. Advanced Library Searching –
Catalog – Types of Search
• Title – Publish History
• Author – Yates (last name first, for a browse)
• Subject – Genealogy
• Words or Phrase - Family History
• Donor - BPL Staff
• Honoree - Wojtowicz
• Series - Harry Potter
• Periodical Title - New York Times

17. What Is a Database?
• A place to…
– …find reliable information
– …expand your knowledge
– …learn a new skill
– …search for answers

18. Where to start – Getting to the
Databases
1. Double click on Internet Explorer – the
Baldwin Public Library Website will open
2. Hover Over
“Library
Collections”
and click on
“Databases”

19. You’ve found our databases!
Note: If you’re trying this from home, you can go directly to:
http://www.baldwinlib.org

20. Navigation
• The Categories on the top help you find the
database you’re looking for: Academic,
Business, Law or Health, for example
• If you know the database you’re looking for,
try clicking on the “To Find Databases
Alphabetically, click here”

21. Just Click!
• Now, click on the database that you want to
visit!
• From home, you’ll be asked for your library
card number and your pin number
– If you have an alternate id, you can use that, but
be sure to enter it in all caps!
– We can help you with this information after class,
or call us with your library card number.

22. Advanced Library Searching –
Library Databases
• Most library databases will have advanced
searching methods for when you get stuck
• Look for an “advanced search” link
• Look for a “search tips” link
• Examples:
– Ancestry Library: Search Tips
– Health and Wellness Resource Center: Search Tips
• You can also try AND, OR, and NOT in all caps
(common in databases)

23. Baldwin Special Interest Pages
• In order to help you better do subject specific
searching, Baldwin has created subject
specific pages
• http://www.baldwinlib.org/special-interests
• Click on any of the subjects to get great places
to search for subject specific information.

24. For more information…
Kathryn Bergeron
Adult Services Librarian
248/554-4650
Kathryn.Bergeron@baldwinlib.org
Presentation Slides Available at:
http://www.slideshare.net/baldwinlib