How to Search the MassCat Catalog

1.  Click the “Begin” button to enter the catalog.

2.  Choose the library catalog you wish to search by selecting an option from the  “In” box:

• “My Library” searches only the items that your library owns.
• “Partner Libraries” searches only the items in the collections of libraries similar to your own.  Ask your librarian for a list of these libraries.
• “All Libraries” searches the catalogs of all the libraries that belong to MassCat.

3.  Choose the type of search you wish to run by selecting an option from the “Search By” box:

• “All Headings” searches Author, Title, Subject and Notes simultaneously.
• “Author” searches for authors.
• “Title” searches for titles.
• “Subject” searches for subject headings.
• “Notes” searches information in the notes area of an item’s record.

4.  Enter the words you wish to search on in the “For” box.

5.  If you wish, you can limit your search in the following ways:

• Year of Publication: limits your search to a specific year of publication, or a range of years.
• Language: limits your search to a specific language.
• Media: limits your search to a specific media format, such as Books, Maps, Computer files, etc.
• Form: limits your search a specific form: Braille, Electronic, Large Print, or Microform.
• Misc.: limits your search by using some miscellaneous categories: Government Publications, Theses, or URL Present.

6.  Click the “Start Search” button.

7.  The results of your search will produce a list of titles.  To review a particular title in the list, click on that title.

As you navigate through list of search results, you will need to use the keys on the red navigation bar.  Below is a description of most of the navigation functions available to you as you search the MassCat catalog:

·        New Search: Returns to a blank search screen retaining the “settings” you chose to search with.  (scoping level, type of search (word search, alphabetical browse, etc.), etc.)

·        Modify Search: Returns to the most recent search screen with the most recent search string available for editing.

·        Start Over: Returns to a blank search screen reset to the default search settings for your library.

·        Title List: Returns to the result list for the most recent search.

·        Holdings: When viewing an individual title, moves down the screen to the top of the holdings list.

·        Sign Off: Logs out of the system and returns to the “Welcome” screen.

·        Help: Opens a new browser window and displays the online help guide.