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SEARCHING:
Basic Searching
- Title
- Author/Creator Browse
- Subject Browse
- Keyword
- Command Keyword
- Call Number Browse
- LCCN-ISBN-ISSN
- Series/Uniform Title
- Author/Creator by Title
Guided Searching

Limiting Searches
Search History
Boolean Searching

INDEX CODES:
for Guided Searches
for Command Keyword

SEARCH RESULTS:
Brief Record
Subjects/Content
Full Record
MARC Tags

Headings List
Titles List
Titles List (Keyword)
References/Scope Notes
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OTHER TOPICS:
Headings List Types
Type of Material
Database Selection
Icons, Buttons & Tabs
Session Time-out Errors
Known Problems

Basic Search offers multiple search methods, as shown in the window below. The * indicates that search limits are available.

Basic Search Overview

Basic Search offers the largest variety of direct search options in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. In order to use this search most effectively, it is important to be aware of and to understand the differences between each search type available. Brief help information can be found by scrolling down on the page, but more extensive help screens are available for each individual search type and should be consulted as needed:

Title - Author/Creator Browse - Subject Browse - Keyword
Command Keyword - Call Number Browse - LCCN-ISBN-ISSN
Series/Uniform Title Browse - Author/Creator Sorted by Title

1. Enter one or more search words in the Search Text: box
2. Select a Search Type: from the window, reflecting the type of search you wish to perform.
3. Select the number of results per page
4. Select the Begin Search button to perform the search.

Depending on the type of search you select, your results will be presented as a Headings List (Author/Creator, Subject, Series Uniform Title and Author/Creator Sorted by Title Browse), a Titles List (Title, Call Number, LCCN-ISBN-ISSN and Command Keyword) or a Titles List Keyword (Keyword search only, which includes relevance ranking).

Use the browser's [Back] button to resume searching.

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