The Library of Congress >> Search Finding Aids

Interpreting Search Results and
Viewing Finding Aids

Interpreting Search Results

• If a search term is found in more than one finding aid, and the default organize by "relevancy" button has been selected, a results screen will indicate the number of finding aid sections containing that term and will list the finding aids and the sections in which search term/s were found. The list gives the title of the finding aid, identifies the custodial unit within the Library of Congress that holds the collection, and states the size of the collection and the file size of the finding aid.
• The list order is based on relevancy ranking criteria; if multiple search terms are entered, the results screen lists finding aids which contain those exact words first, followed by those which contain the words near each other, then those which contain all of the words but not near each other. Note that different sections of the same finding aid may be listed separately based on their individual relevancy.
• If a search term is found in more than one finding aid, and the organize by "finding aid" button has been selected, a results screen will indicate the number of finding aid sections containing that term and will list each finding aids with all sections in which search term/s were found. The list gives the title of the finding aid, identifies the custodial unit within the Library of Congress that holds the collection, and states the size of the collection and the file size of the finding aid.
• If a search returns only one finding aid, the full text of that finding aid will automatically be displayed in HTML format. Links to an "SGML view" and to a "full view" (unframed HTML) are available.

Selecting a View

Note the following when deciding among the outline HTML with frames, full HTML unframed, and SGML versions of the finding aids:

• The default outline version (HTML frames) can be viewed with any Web browser that supports frames; the browser need not support Java script. Text-only systems such as Lynx also display the finding aids reasonably well. Finding aids are delivered in "chunks" which speed loading search results, and provide easy navigation with and among finding aids and search results.
• The full version (non-framed HTML) can be viewed by any Web browser; printing the finding aid and keyword searching within the document are facilitated. On the other hand, very large finding aids may cause the browser to load them very slowly or cause the browser to crash.
• The SGML version is now offered only as a link from the full HTML view. Using the SGML view require that a special SGML viewer or plug-in be installed on your Web client, such as Interleaf's SGML viewer, Panorama; this software is no longer commercially available. The framed HTML version offers a substitute for the SGML navigator, the active table of contents that shows your place within the structure of the document. When XML EAD is implemented, additional viewing options will be available.

Navigating the Finding Aid

Outline HTML (framed view)

• In the top frame, the "item list" button returns you to the search results screen; "next" and "previous" move you to the next or previous finding aid section in your search results. Click "new search" to return to the search page, and "help" to visit this page.
• In the navigation frame (left frame), clicking on the words in the table of contents moves the view in the right content frame to that portion of the finding aid. Clicking on a blue arrow facing right will expand the content listing to display its subordinate parts. To collapse an expanded listing, click on the blue arrow, which now points down.
• In the content frame (right frame), the top line lists the number of the finding aid section returned within the search list, along with a brief version of the collection title. Navigation buttons lead you to the next (or previous) section of the finding aid currently being displayed, and offer the option of selecting the full HTML view (see above). At the end of each content frame section, an navigation button allows you to return to the next and/or previous section, if appropriate.
• When an HTML finding aid is displayed, the terms searched will be highlighted. These terms can be located by scrolling through the finding aid, or by performing a new search within the document using the web browser.

Full HTML (non-framed view)

• At the top of the finding aid, the "item list" button returns you to the search results screen; "next" and "previous" move you to the next or previous finding aid in your search results. Click "new search" to return to the search page.
• The next line lists the number of the finding aid returned within the search list, along with a brief version of the collection title. Links permit you to select either the SGML view or framed HTML view as an alternative to the current display.
• A linking table of contents for the finding aid displays immediately after the title page of each finding aid.
• When an HTML finding aid is displayed, the terms searched will be highlighted. These terms can be located by scrolling through the finding aid, or by performing a new search within the document using the web browser.

SGML

• SGML viewers offer useful features such as a navigator, which is an active table of contents that shows your place within the structure of the document. Instructions on navigating finding aids using the Panorama viewer are available on this site. However, this software is no longer commercially available.
• If Panorama displays as a separate viewer in a different browser window, close that window to return to the search results list. If Panorama has been installed as a plug-in to the browser, the browser back arrow will return to the search results list.
• The SGML version cannot be viewed using Panorama with the Internet Explorer browser on a computer running under Windows 2000; please select the HTML version instead.
• After viewing the SGML version of a finding aid, always close the Panorama viewer before attempting to view another SGML finding aid.