What is a keyword search, and how do I do one?

A keyword search returns results based on the words and phrases used during the search. The results list will display all the items in the ANU Library collection that match your search query.

As shown in this video, you can search for single keywords, or combine words into terms, or keyphrases. Enclosing your keyphrases in quotation marks will ensure the words are found sequentially, as a term or phrase.

How do I make sense of the results?

Below is an example of what information will appear after performing a keyword search in the catalogue. By default, your results will be sorted by relevance. You can change the sorting to be in order of date, or alphabetically by title.

Each item in the list includes:

• Title - includes author and publication details. Clicking on the title will take you to its full record.
  • If the item is an online resource ('INTERNET RES'), clicking on the title will enable you to access the full electronic text.
• Location - indicates which of the ANU Library branches this item is located.
• Medium - indicates the kind of resource (e.g. printed, internet, audio-visual, and other material).
• Status - tells you the availability of the item (e.g. available, out on loan).
  • If an item is out on loan, the record will display its due date.
• Call number - helps you physically locate the item on library shelves.