1	Endicott College Library Module Two: Searching for books and audio/visual items for your research
2	What Is NOBLE? NOBLE stands for: North of Boston Library Exchange. NOBLE is a consortium of 28 area libraries. Endicott College Library is a member of this consortium. Being a member allows us to share an online catalog as well as borrow materials from other member libraries.
3	What is the book catalog? Where is it? A book catalog allows a library user to search for materials(primarily books and audio/visual items) at their library and other libraries. Endicott is linked to the NOBLE system, to find it, go to the library’s main page and click on the NOBLE book catalog link in the blue navigation bar to the left. It is also listed under “key library resources” in the middle of the page.
4	How do I perform a search? Note: This system defaults to a keyword search. To change to author, title or subject you will need to click the appropriate tabs above the search box.
5	Aren’t keyword and subject searches the same? Keyword and subject searches are not the same. Each item is uniquely cataloged in the system. Items usually are given specific subject headings. When you are performing a subject search, you are zeroing in on this information only. Keyword searches allow you to look for key terms throughout an item’s entire record.
6	Keywords: Performing Boolean searches You can also combine terms using “Boolean searching” or tying and/or between words. Example: dreams and psychology will bring up books using both terms. Dreams or psychology will find either.
7	Author searches: Type out the last name first Example: Joyce, James…Walker, Alice Hyphenated names and two names: If a last name is, for example Lucy Spencer-Wood you would look for Spencer-Wood, Lucy. However, if it’s Lucy Spencer Wood (no hyphen) you would look for Wood, Lucy Spencer. Double check to make sure the names are spelled correctly.
8	Title Searches: You must have the exact name of the title to ensure a thorough search. Sometimes just a few words off will make the search inadequate. In all searches, always make sure you are spelling correctly.
9	Which library do you want to search? You can use the drop down menu of the book catalog to choose which library or libraries you wish to search. The search defaults to Endicott College, so you are all set if you only want books from here! However, you can also choose other libraries. Often we encourage students to search all libraries (at the bottom of the drop down menu listed “view entire collection”) so they look at all the NOBLE libraries holdings.
10	What if it is not in the NOBLE system? You have the ability to search further, provided you have a valid Gull card and a PIN (see first module). In the box on the right side of the NOBLE online catalog, click on the Virtual Catalog link. You can then click into the Massachusetts Statewide Virtual Catalog.
11	Massachusetts Statewide Virtual Catalog The statewide virtual catalog allows you to search beyond the NOBLE system, expanding throughout Massachusetts. You will need to enter your library card barcode # and PIN to access. The search defaults to a title search. You can switch this to author. After you perform your search, it will list matching titles. If you believe you’ve found what you are looking for (double check information i.e. author(s), title, publication and date published), choose the title you wish to order. If there are available copies at participating libraries, you can click on the request button. You will need to fill out the online form … i.e. verify your name, choose pickup location, and your e-mail for notification of the item’s arrival. Please make sure to completely fill this out. Then submit request.
12	Further searching… Sometimes when you find an item in the Virtual Catalog for some reason, the library is unable to send it. If this is so… you can print out a copy of the item’s information and give it to the reference librarians. You can also fill out and send us a request form: Endicott College - Interlibrary Loans We are able to search beyond the Massachusetts systems. We’ll let you know when your request arrives at Endicott, so please make sure to fill out your correct e-mail address and phone number.
13	Questions?/End of Module Two Please continue on to Module Three to learn about database access here at Endicott. This was a brief overview, if you have any questions please stop by the library, call or e-mail us. Contact information: Library Staff Halle Library hours