View source for Folger catalog search tips

This article covers search tips for the Folger Shakespeare Library's online [https://catalog.folger.edu/ catalog]; it starts with simple search methods and moves through increasingly advanced search methods.  

==If You Need Help Finding Anything in the Catalog==
Sometimes the best way to search a library catalog is by asking a librarian for help! We know you want to do your ''own'' searching, but we know our collections well and we also know about past cataloging practices at our institution - two things that put us at an advantage when doing searches. Please contact [mailto:reference@folger.edu reference@folger.edu] so that we can assist you with your search. 

While we aim to provide high-quality records in our catalog, we sometimes provide lower-quality ones so that we can provide access to materials while they await full cataloging. As an example, we sometimes batch-load records from vendors, and vendor records may not meet our quality standards. When that's the case, we include an [[Advisory statements|Advisory Statement]] in the catalog record. (If you see "PRELIMINARY RECORD" in all caps in the record, that is an advisory statement.) The varying levels of record quality mean that ''catalog information is not perfect''. This is another reason why we advise you to contact us if you can't find something in our catalog; our insider knowledge of cataloging practices can be really helpful!  

If you've found incorrect information in the catalog, or you have a question about why something is described in a particular way, please feel free to email [mailto:catalog@folger.edu catalog@folger.edu]. 

==How Catalog Searching Works==
Library catalogs use structured data to describe items in their collections. As a result of this structure, it is possible to search specific parts of data across all items in the catalog. For example, catalog librarians always enter the ''title'' of an item in a section of data that is labeled for recording ''titles''. This makes it possible for the catalog to offer a search of just the ''titles'' across all items in the collection.<ref>For a real-world example of structured storage, consider how LEGO builders sort bricks. They usually store similarly-shaped bricks together, so if they need a brick of a certain shape and color, they can look in a single bin that contains bricks of that shape. Catalog librarians do the same thing with information: in effect, we store all the titles in one bin, all the subjects in another, etc., and we can therefore search in those 'bins' of information. However, since we're talking about storing pieces of information, we actually store all the combined information (title, subjects, etc.) about a single item in a single catalog record, and we label each piece of information (titles, subjects, etc.) in each record. That way, people can see all the information about a single item in one record, but we can also use software to search for a particular piece of information such as titles, across ''all'' records, by looking for information with that label. In the physical world, you can only store objects in one place at a time. In the realm of information, you can store information in one place (a catalog record) and at the same time use labels to make it possible to bring together information from multiple catalog records (such as titles). If you're curious to learn more about LEGO organization, check out https://brickarchitect.com/guide/. For more on how information organization compares to physical organization, see David Weinberger's book ''Everything is Miscellaneous'' (Holt, 2007).</ref> The following search tips rely heavily on the idea of being able to search discrete sections of data in catalog records.

==Saving a Search to Reuse Later==
Once you've run a search, you can bookmark or copy the URL that appears in the address bar of your browser. To run the search again, simply visit that URL again. 

Additionally, you can scroll to the bottom of your search results and set up a person email alert or subscribe to an RSS feed to be automatically notified of new records in the catalog that match your query. 

==Simple Search==
For the easiest search, simply enter search term(s) in the search box. The catalog will look for the search term(s) in ''all'' parts of ''all'' records in the catalog.<ref>Well, to be fully accurate, there are a few fields that are excluded from the search, but those fields contain information that is used for internal purposes only.</ref> This can be useful if you are looking for a term that will probably not show up in many catalog records. As an example, this search for [https://catalog.folger.edu/search?p=shirt&f=&c=Books%20%26%20Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Subscription%20databases&c=Art%20%26%20Objects&c=Other%20formats&sf=&so=d&rg=25 shirt] only has a few dozen results.

Where the simple search is usually ''not'' helpful is when you are searching for a term that is likely to show up frequently in catalog records. At the Folger, doing a simple search for [https://catalog.folger.edu/search?p=Shakespeare&f=&c=Books%20%26%20Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Subscription%20databases&c=Art%20%26%20Objects&c=Other%20formats&sf=&so=d&rg=25 Shakespeare] is usually not helpful because that term shows up in tens of thousands of catalog records. If you're interesting in searching for works by or about Shakespeare, see below for some search tips. 

==Refining Search Results==

===Searching within a Collection===
Underneath the search box, there are [[Collections of records in the catalog|collections of records]] that are broken out by year of creation or publication, format, or other grouping. ''Before'' starting a search, it's possible to select one of those collections or sub-collections. This will load a new page that describes what's in the collection and has a search box for searching inside that ''specific'' collection. 

Under the [https://catalog.folger.edu/collection/Books%20%26%20Serials?ln=en Books & Serials] collection, there are three sub-collections in particular that might be worth viewing to read the description of what the collections contain: [https://catalog.folger.edu/collection/Incunabula?ln=en Incunabula], [https://catalog.folger.edu/collection/STC%20imprints?ln=en STC imprints], and [https://catalog.folger.edu/collection/Wing%20imprints?ln=en Wing imprints].

===Facets===
Whenever any search is executed, the search results page provides a number of options for refining the search results. In the left column, there will be ''facets'' for refining search results based on Name, Subject, Genre/form, Place created, Language, and Item Location. A few these facets warrant further explanation:

====Name====
The Name may be the author of a work, but it could also be a name associated with the work that is not the author. As an example, we regularly record the former owners of items in the collection when they are known. Former owners will show up in the Name facet. So will other associated names such as illustrators, printers, correspondents, and the like.

====Subject====
This is a list of terms indicating what an item is ''about''. A few examples of subject terms are Advertising, Cooking, Horse racing, and Religion.

*Note that a ''person or corporate body'' can be a subject, too, if the work is ''about'' that person or corporate body. We have quite a few works that are about [https://catalog.folger.edu/search?fct__7=Shakespeare,%20William Shakespeare], for example. A 'corporate body' refers to a named group of people, such as the [https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=subjectheading%3A%5BKing%27s+Men+%28Theater+company%29%5D&f=&action_search=Search&rm=&ln=en&sf=&so=d&rg=25&c=Catalog+of+the+Folger+Shakespeare+Library&of=hb King's Men (Theatre company)].
*Note that a ''work'' can also be a subject. For example, books ''about'' Shakespeare's play ''Hamlet'' will have ''Hamlet'' as a subject. Note that when the title of a work is used as a subject, it is usually preceded by the author's name. This is important for works by Shakespeare! To use a subject facet for ''Hamlet'', look in the subject facet for "Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Hamlet".

====Genre/Form====
This a list of terms indicating what an item ''is''. A few examples of genre/form terms are [https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=genreform%3A%22Advertising+fliers%22+OR+genreform%3ABallads+OR+genreform%3ABroadsides+OR+genreform%3AEdict&f=&action_search=Search&rm=&ln=en&sf=&so=d&rg=25&c=Art+%26+Objects&c=Books+%26+Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Other+formats&c=Subscription+databases&c=&of=hb Advertising fliers, Ballads, Broadsides, and Edicts].

====Item access====
This is a useful facet for restricting a search to physical items in our collection, or to items that are available online. While we are closed for construction, we are using three Item Location facets:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Item access
!Description
|-
|Vault
|These are physical items that would normally be available through our [https://folgerpedia.folger.edu/Folger_vault_material_request_system Request System] to be consulted in the Reading Room. That is, readers would not be able to retrieve these items on their own; staff retrieve the items from the vaults and bring the items to the Reading Room.
|-
|Not-vault
|These are physical items that would normally be in our Open Stacks collection or shelved in the Reading Room for quick reference. Readers are able to browse these shelves and retrieve these items on their own, without staff intervention.
|-
|Online
|These are digital items that are only available online. Sometimes these items are publicly accessible to anyone; sometimes they are limited to registered readers; and sometimes they are only accessible to registered readers while onsite in the library.
|}
<u>''Please note'':</u> if you select 'Vault' or 'Not-vault', you may still find that the 'Online' item access remains in the left column. Why? Because some items in our catalog are physical items that we have in the collection ''and'' we have digitized those items and made them available online. Such items are therefore categorized as both physical (Vault or Not-vault) and online. Similarly, if you select 'Online', you may still find that the 'Vault' or 'Not-vault' item access remain in the left column. That is because the item is available online, but is ''also'' available onsite in a physical copy.

===Options for Sort, Display, Collections, and Format===
There are additional tools for refining search results. Once a search is executed, an 'Options' button will appear immediately below the 'Search' button, like so:[[File:options2.png|300px|options button]]


Clicking on the Options button opens a section of tools for refining display:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Option
!Description
|-
|Sort
|Sort by relevance, latest first, main name, title, year - each in ascending or descending order.

*'Latest first' means that ''items most recently added to the catalog'' will appear first. This does ''not'' necessarily mean those are the most recently acquired items, either, as there can be a delay between when an item is acquired and when it is fully cataloged. So this might not be a particularly useful sort order, but it's there if you want to try it.
*'Year' refers to the year of an item's creation or publication. Many of our readers are interested in the earliest items in our collection, so sorting by 'year' in ascending order will sort the results by oldest to newest dates of creation or publication.
|-
|Display
|Display controls the number of results shown on a single page.
|-
|Collections
|Allows for refining by collection after a search has been run.
|-
|Format
|This does ''not'' refer to the format of the ''materials in the catalog''. Rather, it refers to the format of the ''records'' being displayed in the search results. It is possible to change the display to BibTex, EndNote, or RefWorks, which makes it possible to export search results to use with reference management software. Alternatively, readers with expertise in metadata formats and standards may wish to format results in Dublin Core, MARC, MARCXML, or MODS.
|}

==Keyword Search==
To search for a single term, such as [https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=sword&f=&c=Books%20%26%20Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Subscription%20databases&c=Art%20%26%20Objects&c=Other%20formats&sf=&so=d&rg=25 sword], simply type it into the search box and then click on 'search' or use the Enter key. Once the search is executed, the search results can be narrowed using the techniques in the preceding section on Refining Search Results.  

To search for more than one term, such as [https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=horse+riding&f=&action_search=Search&c=Books+%26+Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Subscription+databases&c=Art+%26+Objects&c=Other+formats&sf=&so=d&rg=25 horse riding], there are several options. Note that the following explanation applies to two, three, or more terms, but the example given uses just two terms.  
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Search Type
!Example keywords
!what's in the search results
!sort order
|-
|Broad match
|horse riding
|records with ''both'' of the words, anywhere in the record
|records are sorted by ''how close'' those terms are to each other in the records, and ''how many times'' those terms appear in the records
|-
|Partial phrase
|"horse riding"
|records with those two words ''together'', in the order provided inside the double quotes, anywhere in the record
|records are sorted by ''how many times'' those terms appear ''together'', ''in the order specified'', in the records
|}

===Boolean Operators===
Search terms can also be related to one another using the Boolean operators AND, OR, and NOT.<ref>''Boolean'' refers to English mathematician George Boole, who was the founder of the algebraic tradition in logic. Boole built upon Aristotle's system of logic, and his modifications are the foundation of the binary system used in all computers and electrical devices. Boole's algebra was introduced in his first book, ''The Mathematical Analysis of Logic'' (1847) and was more fully developed in ''An Investigation of the Laws of Thought'' (1854).</ref> The operators ''must'' be capitalized. 

While the words AND, OR, and NOT are used in everyday language, we use them in a loose fashion. For example, I can offer a guest coffee OR tea, but I can also offer a guest coffee AND tea. Those offers effectively mean the same thing in everyday language - my guest can have coffee, or tea, or a bit of both. In Boolean logic, the terms have a stricter meaning, as defined in the following chart. 
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Boolean operator
!what's entered in the search box
!what's in the search results
!how to think about this logic
|-
|AND
|fish AND garden
|records that contain ''both'' of the terms
|I want to see records that contain ''both'' 'fish' and 'garden'. Any records with just ''one'' of those terms should not be included in my search results.
|-
|OR
|fish OR garden
|records that contain ''one or both'' of the terms
|I want to see records that contain either 'fish', or 'garden', or both search terms.
|-
|NOT
|fish NOT garden
|records that contain the first term but ''not'' the second term
|I want to see records that contain 'fish', but ''do not'' contain 'garden'. <br />
|}

===Combining Boolean Operators===
It is also possible to string several terms and Boolean operators together in a single query. Note that these searches are interpreted '''''sequentially'''''. Here are some examples:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Example
!Explanation
|-
|fish AND garden AND flowers
|a record must contain all three terms - fish, garden, flowers
|-
|fish OR garden OR flowers
|a record can contain just one of these terms, or two of these terms, or all of these terms
|-
|fish NOT garden NOT flowers
|only records that ''have'' the term 'fish', and ''do not have'' the term 'garden', and ''do not have'' the term 'flowers' will be in the search results. Another way to think of this search is fish AND (NOT garden NOT flowers)
|-
|fish AND garden OR flowers
|records with 'fish' and 'garden' would match. So would records with 'flowers' ''by itself''. Another way to think of this search is (fish AND garden) OR flowers.
|-
|fish OR garden AND flowers
|records with fish AND flowers will match; records with garden AND flowers will match; records with fish AND garden AND flowers will match. Another way to think of this search is (fish OR garden) AND flowers
|-
|fish AND garden NOT flowers
|a record must contain both 'fish' and 'garden', but not the term 'flowers', in order to be a match. Another way to think of this search is (fish AND garden) NOT flowers
|-
|fish OR garden NOT flowers
|any records that contain 1) fish but not flowers, 2) garden but not flowers, and 3) fish and garden but not flowers will be in the search results. Another way to think of this search is (fish NOT flowers) OR (garden NOT flowers) OR (fish AND garden NOT flowers).
|}
It's possible to string together even more complicated scenarios, but beyond this point 1) search results are unlikely and 2) it's probably necessary to start constructing your search queries with a logic textbook at hand. It's likely that there are better ways to approach the search. Read on!

==Advanced Search Interface==
Immediately beneath the list of collections, there is an '[https://catalog.folger.edu/?ln=en&as=1 advanced search]' link. Clicking on that leads to a new search page, like so:[[File:advanced_search.png|600px|advanced search interface]]

===Search Methods===
To the left of the empty search box, there is a drop-down menu offering several different search methods: 
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Search method
!Explanation
|-
|All of the words
|This is the same as a [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Keyword search|broad match keyword search]], explained above. The records in the search result must match ''all'' of the terms entered in the search box.
|-
|Any of the words
|This is the same functionality as entering your search terms separated by the [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Boolean operators|Boolean operator OR]], as explained above. If three terms are entered in the search box, then the records can have one, two, or three of those terms.
|-
|Partial phrase
|This is the same as a [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Keyword search|partial phrase keyword search]], explained above. The records in the search result must match the terms together, in the order provided. It's the same as enclosing search terms in double quotes.
|-
|Exact phrase
|This is the same as using the [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Exact phrase search|exact phrase search]], explained below. This search should be approached with caution because it relies on technical knowledge of how catalog records are created.
|-
|Regular expressions
|This is a form of searching through [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Regular expressions|pattern matching]], explained below.
|}

===Fields===
To the right of the empty search box, there is a drop-down menu for determining which fields to search. Available fields include:

*title - includes both titles or works and series titles
*imprint - publication information
*name (who's associated with it) - this may include author, former owner, printer, publisher, artist, printmaker, sender, addressee, or other names associated with a work
*subject (who or what it is about)
*genre/form (what it is)
*all notes
*Folger copy notes - these are copy-specific notes that often include information about provenance, binding, or notes specific to a Folger copy of a work
*call number
*bibliographic citation - catalogers typically record a [[MARC 510 Reference Citation Note|reference citation]] to a bibliography that lists the work being described. With the exception of our [[MARC 510 Reference Citation Note#Policy and formulation|Folger-specific use of STC and ESTC]], we follow the [https://rbms.info/scf/ Standard Citation Forms for Rare Materials Cataloging].
*material type - searches a list of 'general material designations' in catalog records, which are used to denote materials that are ''not'' books. The [[General material designation|terms in use at the Folger]] are: cartographic material, electronic resource, game, graphic, kit, manuscript, microform, motion picture, music, realia, sound recording, and videorecording.

===Boolean Operators===
To the right of the drop-down of fields to search, there is a drop-down for Boolean operators: OR, AND, AND NOT. These function in the same way as described in the section on [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Boolean operators|Boolean operators]], above. Note that "NOT", explained in the section above, and "AND NOT", which is what is shown in the drop-down menu here, are functionally ''the same'' operation. 

===Added/Modified Date===
At the bottom of the 'advanced search' panel, it is possible to refine the search by looking for ''catalog records'' added since a specified date, or modified since a specified date. It is also possible to specify an end date. It is likely that this search refinement will be more useful to catalogers than to other users. 

==Advanced Search Query Methods==
While the Advanced search interface outlined above does, indeed, provide advanced search options, there are even more advanced options built into the single search box on the home page of the catalog. The ''default'' behavior of the single search box is to search across ''all'' of the data in catalog records. However, as with the Advanced search interface, there are additional refinements to search that can be done in the single search box, including additional options not available in the Advanced search interface. 

===Index fields===
The following table<ref>Note: the fourth column in the table, MARC fields and subfields searched, is provided for librarians, especially catalogers. It is not necessary to know anything about MARC to use field names in searches.</ref> shows index field names that can be used in the single search box. To use a field name, type the index name in the search box with a colon followed by the search term, like so:

title:Phaedrus
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Index field name
!Description
!Example search term
!MARC fields and subfields searched
|-
|
|To search for a keyword anywhere in a record, ''omit'' the field name.
|"Arctic circle"
|entire record
|-
|recid:
|Searches a record's unique identifier. If you have an older catalog URL, it is the number at the end: <nowiki>http://hamnet.folger.edu/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=</nowiki>'''336741'''. In the current catalog, the number will appear like so: <nowiki>https://catalog.folger.edu/record/</nowiki>'''336741'''.
|336741
|MARC 001
|-
|callnumber:
|Searches the call number of the item
|Y.c.1242
|MARC 852$h
|-
|title:
|Searches both the title of the work and other titles that may be listed in the record, such as the title of a series, a uniform title, and an alternative title
|Phaedrus
|MARC 245, 246, 247, 490, 440, 130, 730, 740
|-
|mainname:
|Searches the main entry name (of a person, corporate body, or meeting) responsible for the work. In a catalog record a 'main entry name' is for the entity chiefly responsible for the work. '''This is typically the author's name.'''
|Shakespeare, William
|MARC 100, 110, 111
|-
|author:
|Searches for '''''any'' names''' associated with a work, ''not just the author''. Sorry this is confusing! Names associated with the record include authors, editors, correspondents, printers, former owners, publishers, and others. 
'''If you want to search for an author, use mainname''' (above). 
|Halliwell-Phillipps, J. O.
|MARC 100, 110, 111, 700, 710, 711
MARC authority 400, 410, 411, 430, 450, 451, 455
|-
|meetingname:
|Searches for meeting names. Publications produced under the auspices of a meeting will include the meeting name in the catalog record.
|"International Shakespeare Conference"
|MARC 111, 711
|-
|topic:
|Searches what the work is ''about''.
|Actors
|MARC 600, 610, 611, 630, 648, 650, 651
|-
|genreform:
|Searches what kind of thing the work ''is''.
|Portraits
|MARC 655
|-
|subject:
|Searches both ''topic'' and ''genreform''
|Drawings
|MARC 600, 610, 611, 630, 648, 650, 651, 655
|-
|imprint:
|Searches fields relating to the place of publication, the name of the publisher, and the date of publication. Note that early modern books may use Latin place names.
|Fletestrete
|MARC 260, 264
|-
|summary:
|Searches the summary. Note that few catalog records have a summary, and summaries are more common in our 20th-21st century works.
|keywords such as "child characters"
|MARC 520
|-
|citation:
|Searches the reference citation field. Catalogers typically record a [[MARC 510 Reference Citation Note|reference citation]] to a bibliography that lists the work being described. With the exception of our [[MARC 510 Reference Citation Note#Policy and formulation|Folger-specific use of STC and ESTC]], we follow the [https://rbms.info/scf/ Standard Citation Forms for Rare Materials Cataloging].
|STC
|MARC 510
|-
|materialtype:
|Searches a list of 'general material designations' in catalog records, which are used to denote materials that are ''not'' books. The [[General material designation|terms in use at the Folger]] are: cartographic material, electronic resource, game, graphic, kit, manuscript, microform, motion picture, music, realia, sound recording, and videorecording. '''Note: if you want to exclude online copies of a resource''', add the following to your query: NOT materialtype:"electronic resource"
|cartographic material
|MARC 245$h
|-
|folgercopynotes:
|Searches copy-specific notes that often include information about provenance, binding, or notes specific to a Folger copy of a work
|keywords such as "silk"
|MARC 590, 852$z
|-
|notes:
|Searches all notes in a catalog record (except the cataloger's 'note to self' field, where a cataloger might make a note about next steps for completing a catalog record)
|keywords
|MARC 5XX fields, except 599
|}

===Truncation===
It is possible to broaden a search to include various word endings and spellings by using an asterisk at the end or the middle of a word. As an example, child* will return results including child, child's, children, children's, and childhood. Another example is ma*esty, which will find both majesty and maiesty. 

In the early modern period, spelling was not standardized. In catalog records, there are some fields that are recorded exactly as they appear on the item being described. So, if the item includes the spelling 'maiesty', then that spelling will appear in some catalog record fields. For that reason, it can be useful to experiment with truncation when searching.   

Truncation ''cannot'' be used at the beginning of a word. (See the part on [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Regular expressions|regular expressions]] for another option.) 

Truncation ''cannot'' be used with [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Keyword search|partial phrase matching]] (using double quotes around search terms). 

===Range===
Ranges can be used in date, numeric, and string fields. The following table covers the options for searching with a range:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Syntax
!Description
!Example
!Explanation
|-
| ->
|Include range values
|year:2012->2015
|search for years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
|-
|>
|Greater than
|year:>2015
|search for years greater than 2015 (''not'' including 2015)
|-
|<
|Less than
|year:<2015
|search for years less than 2015 (''not'' including 2015)
|-
|=
|Equals exactly
|year:=2017
|search for 2017 (note that searching for year:2017 works the same)
|}

===Search Examples===
Now for the fun part! It's possible to combine multiple search options, including [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Fields|fields]], [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Boolean operators|Boolean operators]], [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Keyword search|partial phrase match]], [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Truncation|truncation]], and [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Range|range]]. 

Here are some examples:

[https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=mainname%3A%22Halliwell-Phillipps%2C%20J.%20O.%22%20AND%20title%3A%22autograph%20letter%22&f=&c=Books%20%26%20Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Subscription%20databases&c=Art%20%26%20Objects&c=Other%20formats&sf=&so=d&rg=25 mainname:"Halliwell-Phillipps, J. O." AND title:"autograph letter"] 

[https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=imprint%3AFletestrete+AND+mainname%3AErasmus+NOT+materialtype%3A%22electronic+resource%22&f=&action_search=Search&rm=&ln=en&sf=&so=d&rg=25&c=Art+%26+Objects&c=Books+%26+Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Other+formats&c=Subscription+databases&c=&of=hb imprint:Fletestrete AND mainname:Erasmus NOT materialtype:"electronic resource"]

[https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=topic%3A%22Arctic+Ocean%22+OR+author%3AResolute+AND+year%3A1690-%3E1855&f=&action_search=Search&rm=&ln=en&sf=&so=d&rg=25&c=Art+%26+Objects&c=Books+%26+Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Other+formats&c=Subscription+databases&c=&of=hb topic:"Arctic Ocean" OR author:Resolute AND year:1690->1855]

[https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=voyage*+AND+materialtype%3A%22manuscript%22&f=&action_search=Search&rm=&ln=en&sf=&so=d&rg=25&c=Art+%26+Objects&c=Books+%26+Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Other+formats&c=Subscription+databases&c=&of=hb voyage* AND materialtype:"manuscript"]  (Using voyage* will find voyage, voyages, and voyager)<br />
==Expert Search==
There are even more search options, but these search techniques require expertise in cataloging practices, including in Folger-specific cataloging practices.  For background on the Folger's cataloging practices, see the page on [[Interpreting MARC records]], pages on [https://folgerpedia.folger.edu/Category:Cataloging cataloging practices at the Folger], and the pages on [https://www.loc.gov/marc/marcdocz.html MARC21 formats] at the Library of Congress.

Anyone is welcome to try these techniques, but be advised that these techniques might not work as expected. Anyone wishing to do searches at this level of specificity would likely benefit from reaching out to [mailto:reference@folger.edu reference@folger.edu] so we can assist. 

===Exact Phrase Search===
Instead of using double quotes, as in Keyword searches above, surround terms with square brackets, like so: [horse riding]. In order for this search to work, both terms must be found together, ''in the same MARC subfield, with no other words in that same MARC subfield.'' This technique can also be applied to searching a single term in square brackets, such as [metaphysics], which will result in records where that term appears alone, with no other words in that MARC subfield. 

The exact phrase search technique is likely to be the most useful for searching for titles of certain pre-modern texts, such as [metaphysics] or [summa theologica]. However, this search could miss some records with those terms because they are not alone in their MARC subfield. So, it might be fun to test this search method, but it's likely not the best search technique. 

===Regular Expressions===
The catalog supports regular expressions, also known as 'regex,' in searches. Regex refers to a method of searching by pattern matching rather than keywords, terms, names, etc. It's possible to combine regular expressions with other search strategies such as index fields, aliases, and MARC fields. The catalog uses Python regular expressions.<ref> [https://regex101.com/ Regular expressions 101] is a great tool for constructing and testing regular expressions. On the left, select the Python 'flavor'.</ref> Note that regular expressions must be preceded and followed by a forward slash (/). See the [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Search examples 2|search example below.]] 

For a self-paced online lesson in using regular expressions to search library data, go to [https://librarycarpentry.org/lc-data-intro/ Library Carpentry: Introduction to Working with Data (Regular Expressions)].

===MARC Fields===
Those familiar with MARC21 format and the DCRM and RDA descriptive standards may wish to take advantage of searching using MARC fields, subfields, and wildcards. Please see our Folgerpedia pages on [[:Category:MARC|MARC]] as well as our pages on [[:Category:Cataloging|Cataloging]] for information about our local cataloging practices. 

To search by MARC field, use the field number with a colon, such as [https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=245%3A%22forge%20de%20Vulcain%22&f=&c=Books%20%26%20Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Subscription%20databases&c=Art%20%26%20Objects&c=Other%20formats&sf=&so=d&rg=25 245:"forge de Vulcain"].

To search in a specific subfield, ''both'' indicators must be specified as well. For example: [https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=24513b%3A%22machines%20de%20guerre%22&f=&c=Books%20%26%20Serials&c=Manuscripts&c=Subscription%20databases&c=Art%20%26%20Objects&c=Other%20formats&sf=&so=d&rg=25 24513b:"machines de guerre"].

However, it is possible to use the percent sign (%) as a wildcard for ''any'' indicator or ''any'' subfield.

*any indicator - 245%%a:"search term" or 245%1%:"search term"
*any subfield - 24510%:"search term"
*any indicator and any subfield - 245:"search term" or 245%%%:"search term"
*note: the first three digits of the MARC field have to be digits and cannot be replaced by wildcards. For example, 2%%:"search term" will ''not'' work.


Note that the catalog uses 000 instead of the field tag LDR. 

===Search Examples===
It's possible to combine multiple search options, including [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Fields|fields]], [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Boolean operators|Boolean operators]], [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Keyword search|partial phrase match]], [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Exact phrase search|exact phrase match]], [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Truncation|truncation]], [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Range|range]], [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#Regular expressions|regular expressions]], and [[Folger Catalog Search Tips#MARC fields|MARC fields]]. 

This is a sample regular expression search using MARC fields: [https://catalog.folger.edu/search?ln=en&p=000%3A%2F%5E.%7B6%7D%5Bdft%5D.%2F+AND+%28008%3A%2F%5E.%7B7%7D1500.%2F+OR+008%3A%2F%5E.%7B7%7D1%5B0-4%5D.%2F%29&f=&rm=&ln=en&sf=&so=d&rg=25&c=Manuscripts&c=&of=hb <nowiki>000:/^.{6}[dft]./ AND (008:/^.{7}1500./ OR 008:/^.{7}1[0-4]./)</nowiki>]. In brief, this searches for any manuscript materials that are published in the years 1000-1500, inclusive. It works by searching MARC 000 (LDR) byte 6 (Type of record) and accepts values d (manuscript notated music), f (manuscript cartographic material), or t (manuscript language material). It also searches the MARC 008 bytes 7-10 (Date 1) and accepts 1500 or any four-digit year where the first two digits are 10 through 14. 

==Footnotes==
<references />

[[Category:Catalog]]