MGS Library Search

SEARCHING THE ONLINE MGS LIBRARY CATALOG

1. Standard Search

This is a very basic capability that permits search only by subject or title or author. To use this search, click on “Standard Search”.

Enhanced Search

The “Enhanced Search” function allows one to better target their search and is recommended for use in finding CGSI’s holdings within the MGS Library. Select this more capable search function by clicking on “Enhanced”. It is important to note that “Enhanced” search allows the user to specify one or two “or” inputs and one “and” input to the search process. For example, you can search on “subject” or title” and “author”. Very importantly, the drop-down menu allows you to select one of 15 inputs for each of the three functions; i.e. the two “or” and one “and”.

Before using the “Enhanced” search, we need to review how the MGS Library call numbers are structured for the various book categories. Examples:

• Foreign – includes books relating to Czech and Slovak topics. A typical call number is: Frgn Cze 410 Str
• State – includes books categorized by state; for CGSI, this would include books primarily on Czech and Slovak topics within a specific state. A typical call number is; U.S. Ne 084 Sob
• Family History – includes all family history books in the library. A typical call number is: FH No 049
• Maps – includes all maps in the library. Czech and Slovak maps are cataloged under Cze. A typical call number is: Map Cze 89 Kin.

Examples of Using “Enhanced” search

• Find all Czech or Slovak books in the CGSI Foreign collection:
  • Enter “Frgn Cze” on one of the three input lines select “local call number” from the drop down menu.
  • Leave the other two inputs blank.
• Find all Czech and Slovak books by a certain author:
  • Enter “Frgn Cze” on one of the “or” inputs and select “local call number” from the drop down menu.
  • Enter the authors name on the “and” input and select “author” from the drop down menu.
• Find all books for a specific state in the State collection:
  • Enter “US” and the state; for example, “US WI” for Wisconsin, on one of the three input lines and select “local call number” from the drop down menu.
  • Leave the other two inputs blank.
• Find all Czech or Slovak books for a specific state:
  • Enter “US” and the state; for example, “US WI” for Wisconsin, on one of the two “or” input lines and select “local call number” from the drop down menu.
  • Enter “Czech” (or “Slovak”) on the “and” input and select “anywhere” from the drop down menu.
• Find a book by a specific author on a book concerning a specific state.
  • Enter “US” and the state; for example, “US WI” for Wisconsin, on one of the two “or” input lines and select “local call number” from the drop down menu.
  • Enter the author’s name on the “and” input and select “author” on the drop down menu.
• Find all Czech and Slovak maps in the CGSI collection
  • Enter “Map Cze” on one of the “or” inputs and select “local call number” from the drop down menu.
  • Leave the other two inputs blank.
• Find a map for a particular area
  • Enter “Map Cze” on one of the “or” inputs and select “local call number” from the drop down menu.
  • Enter the name of the area/town on the “and” input and select “subject” on the drop down menu.
• Find all family histories in the MGS collection
  • Enter “FH” on one of the “or” inputs and select “local call number” from the drop down menu
  • Leave the other two inputs blank
• Search for a history on a specific family
  • Enter “FH” on one of the “or” inputs and select “local call number” from the drop down menu
  • Enter the name of the family on the “and” input. On the drop down menu, try “title” first. If unsuccessful, try “anywhere” on the drop down menu.
• General Search
  • Enter Term in “or” input
  • Select “anywhere” on drop down
• For more details on a book found through the search
  • Click on “Details” for more information on the book.
  • Click on any blue underlined Term to find oll other books that include that “subject” or “author” or “publisher”

Note: One way to print this page is to hold down the Control (Ctrl) key and press the P key.