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.

The Simple Search function in ANU Library's Supersearch allows you enter simple keywords or the title of a book, article, or video.

By clicking the dropdown button at the end of the search bar, you can select whether you would like to search across all collections, only material ANU owns, only journal articles and online resources, or for course readings. This allows you to tailor your search to only look for materials that are useful for your question.

If you're not sure, just leave it on everything!

For more information on using SuperSearch, including how to manage your loans, check out our guide Using Primo.

Filtering your results

Once you've done your search, you can use the filters available on the left hand side of the page to help you narrow down your results. Often simple search terms return a lot of results - more than you can possibly read, or even just scroll through!

Using filters is a way to narrow down your search to only materials that are relevant to your purpose. You can use filters to narrow down to a particular date range, a type of material, or a location.

You can also use filters to sort by subject or language. Databases will often have their own sets of filters that you can use to narrow your search results and reduce them to a  more manageable level.

Understanding your results

Once you've done a search, you will be presented with a list of results. If you are specifically looking for books, you will be shown the title, the author, the date, and a location. If you are looking at a physical book, it will tell you which of the ANU Library branches holds that item, and will give you a Call number. A call number is the way you locate a book on the shelf. For more on locating items using call numbers see Understanding Call Numbers.

If the item you would like to access is an online journal or ebook, instead of a library location and a call number, you will see the text Available Online. To access the book, click on this link. It will then open the item record.

Once you have opened the record, scroll down to where the record has a box that says View Online. This is where you will find the link to the resource. Sometimes, there may be more than one link available. That just means we have access to this item from multiple different databases. It doesn't matter which one you choose. Click the link and you will be taken to the resource.