Search Basics

Enter any term in the search box. By default, results are returned that contain all search terms entered, regardless of word order. drama finds collections that contain the term drama anywhere in the finding aid.

Example: American Civil Liberties Union finds collections that contain all four individual terms anywhere in the finding aid.

Phrase Searches

To perform a search for an exact phrase, enter the phrase in quotation marks.

Example: "American Civil Liberties Union" finds collections that contain the exact phrase as entered anywhere in the finding aid.

Alternate Spellings (Truncation and Wildcards)

Words may be truncated with an asterisk. Enter a partial term followed by *. A question mark [?] may be used as a wildcard character.

Example: recon* finds collections that contain the term recon as well as reconciliation, reconstruction, etc. anywhere in a finding aid.

Example: Hem?ingway finds collections containing the term Hemingway as well as collections containing the term Hemmingway (searches up to one additional character between Hem and ingway)

Advanced Search

The advanced search option allows for more powerful and focused searching. In addition to keyword searches, searches can be limited to collection titles, call numbers, controlled subject headings (including names, geographic areas, subjects, and genres of material), and the names of creators of collections. Searches can also be limited to additional finding aid elements such as scope and content notes, biographical or history notes, and abstracts.

Example: film within Title of Collection finds collections whose title contains the term film. Film within Subject, Names, Form of Material finds collections concerning the subject of film.

Searches may also be limited to specific repositories.

Example: Wilson limited to University Archives finds only finding aids for collection with the Princeton University Archives, such as the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs Records, 1847-2002

Example: Wilson limited to Public Policy Papers finds only finding aids for collections with the Public Policy Paper such as the Woodrow Wilson Collection, 1837-1986

Using And, Or, and Not (Boolean Searching)

Add a required term: "and"

Example: McGovern and Klinkel finds the "Thomas Klinkel Collection on George McGovern, 1968-1974."

Add an alternate term: "or"

Example: McGovern or Stevenson finds the "George S. McGovern Papers, 1948-1980" as well as the "Adlai E. Stevenson Papers, 1861-1990."

Exclude a term: "not"

McGovern not Klinkel finds only the "George S. McGovern Papers, 1948-1980," not the "Thomas Klinkel Collection on George McGovern, 1968-1974."

Interpreting Search Results

Search results include the collection title, collection dates, the name of the creator or collector of the materials, a short abstract or summary description of the collection, the location and call number of the collection. Results are ranked by relevancy and may be sorted by creator or the collection, title of the collection, or call number. Search terms in finding aids will be highlighted in yellow.