Handy hints when using the Library’s Online Computer Catalogue

Compiled by the Youth & Children’s Services Librarian, Wyong Shire Libraries

May 2006.

The computer catalogue or OPAC makes it easy for you to find material for your assignment. It allows you to look for information held across the Library system, in both print and other formats.

The four most common searches are –

Author search – this search allows you to search by the person who wrote the book. Key tip is to remember to type the Author’s surname in first then their first name.

Some examples:

Jennings, Paul
Rowling, J K
Carmody, Isobelle
Marsden, John

Once your author is typed in and located, you will then have a choice between which particular title you would like and which branch library holds it.

Title search – this can be the most direct way to look if you know the name of the item you are looking for. You have two choices when entering your title details –

Type in the exact title and click on SEARCH – this will allow the catalogue to look for exactly what you have entered. Examples –

“Dirty beasts”
“The day my bum went psycho”

Type in some of the words you know from the item’s title. Some examples –

‘slaves, mastery’ for the title “Slaves of the mastery” by William Nicholson
‘Sadako, cranes’ for the title “Sadako and the thousand paper cranes” by Eleanor Coerr

Series search – this will show you how many titles are linked to a particular sequence of stories.

Some examples –
TooCool
Boyz rule!
Redwall
Asterix or Tintin
Quentaris
Edge Chronicles, etc

Once you have typed the main name of the series, the catalogue will tell you what titles are available at any of the branch libraries.

Subject search – this allows you to look for information by using general or specific topic terms.

Example – if you are looking for animals that live in the Australian desert, then you can choose search terms like these:

Deserts – which is a good general term, however it may not find information about deserts found in Australia

Desert Animals – these terms have more detail, though it may not find information about desert animals in Australia

Desert Animals Australia – this has the most detail and reflects what it is that you are trying to find

Please note that
some subjects are best found by using general search terms,
not every subject has a book written about it

If you are having a problem finding something, please ask one of our staff to help you.

Please note:
The catalogue may suggest a “NO MATCH” if -
your spelling is not right
a word in the titles is a plural instead of a single word
your use of tense is not correct

Wyong Shire Branch Libraries –

Tuggerah Library & Information Centre
Telephone:                 4353 5666
Information Service:    4353 5271
Youth & Children’s:     4353 5271

Lake Haven Library & Council Services
Telephone:                  4392 7843

The Entrance Library & Council Services
Telephone:                  4332 2256

Toukley Library
Telephone:                  4396 4247

Bateau Bay Library (Bay Village)
Telephone:                  4332 3243

Websites
Council – www.wyong.nsw.gov.au

Library – www.wyong.nsw.gov.au/libraries/libraries_home.html

Page last updated: 21/08/2006