Search Tips
Basic Search Tips
You can search DELCAT by simply entering keywords, as you might in any search engine. However, there are other strategies you can use if this approach is not working well for you:
- Use quotation marks to isolate specific names or phrases that you are seeking.
"Abraham Lincoln" (will exclude results like Lincoln, Nebraska or Abraham Heschel)
Using Boolean Logic
- Use the word AND (capitalized) to add search terms that make your search more specific.
"domestic violence" AND dating
- Use the word OR (capitalized) to search for synonyms or closely related terms at the same time.
adolescents OR teens
- Use the word NOT (capitalized) to exclude a term from your search and reduce the number of irrelevant results.
humor NOT vitreous
Advanced Search Tips
Searching by author, subject, title, resource type, language and/or date
Go To DELCAT Advanced Search via the Library's homepage
Or go to Advanced Search within DELCAT
At the Advanced Search page
Click on Search Filters to choose a filter such as Author, Title, or Subject. Choose any remaining search filters or criteria as needed such as Resource Type, Language, or Start Date/End Date.
More Results - Include Additional Non-UD Resources
Expanding your search results will allow you to find items that are not owned by UD libraries. Items found by toggling Include Additional Non-UD Resources in the list of brief results will often require that the item be requested via Interlibrary Loan.
Search Libraries Worldwide (WorldCat)
There are two ways to search holdings beyond those in DELCAT. When searching using these options you will be searching WorldCat. Your search results will include materials that the Library owns as well as open access materials freely available online to everyone and also materials held by other libraries.
1. The first way is to switch the search index within DELCAT to Libraries Worldwide. This can be done via the Basic Search:
or via the Advanced Search:
2. The second way to search Libraries Worldwide is to choose the Search Libraries Worldwide option, which is available as a filter on the list of brief results:
By clicking this button, you will be taken to the UD Library's instance of WorldCat and the search terms will auto-populate as a keyword search:
By clicking on the At University of Delaware Library option in the brief record (as in the example above) or in the full record, you'll be directed to the item's record in DELCAT.
If the item is not owned by the UD Library, then on the full record there will be a button to request the resource through Interlibrary Loan:
Options to search directly in WorldCat are also available on the page when there are no results:
Personalized search
You can set your preferences for certain disciplines using the personalized search. You can turn the personalized search on and off at your discretion. These settings are saved to your profile, provided your are logged into your library account, and can be edited when the personalized search is turned on using the options on the top left side of your screen.
Search Suggestions
Some searches will tell you that they are including other common words or phrases related to the search that you typed in. You can turn this off by clicking on the option provided.
About The Topic
Some topics will have encyclopedia entries that appear at the top of your search results list labeled "About The Topic" You can click the available link to get an overview of the topic before diving deeper into your research. This is ideal for researchers that are new to a subject.
Search Inside a Journal
Journal records now include a section that will let you search within a journal, provided that the journal is an e-journal. This search function will not work for print journals. This type of search can be helpful if you know the title of an article but not the volume or issue numbers.
Explore More Titles
This option is only available on print books and will allow you to see which other books are shelved near the one you are viewing. You can find this by clicking on the title of a print book and scrolling to the bottom of the page.
Limiting Search Results
After you have conducted a search and have a list of search results, you have the option to limit the results by the filters on the left hand side of a desktop monitor or via the filter icon on a mobile device.
How do I limit my search to articles?
Use the "Articles" filter available under the "Resource Type" menu.
How do I limit my search to e-books?
Choose "Books - Electronic" under the Resource Type menu.
Alternatively, select "Books" under the Resource Type menu and "Available Online/E-resources" under Show Only.
How do I search for videos?
Select "Video" from the resource type filter menu. You may need to click "Show More" to see this option.
How do I limit my search to peer reviewed research?
Choose "Peer-reviewed Journals" from the Show Only filter menu
How do I limit my search to physical items that the UD Library owns or that are available electronically?
Option 1 ) Use the "Held by library" filter for physical items or the "Available online" filter for electronic options.
Option 2) Use the DELCAT drop down menu to only search library collections, which will include both physical and electronic materials.
Exclusion filters
Sometimes you may want to exclude certain types of materials instead of including them in your search result, you can do this with the new exclusion feature. You'll need to hover your mouse over the criteria you want to exclude to see the orange check box.
To see request options, Sign In to your library account.
Accessing and Requesting Materials
Where are the full text links button?
You'll see the words "Available Online" under items that you can access online. This link will take you to the View Online section of the record where you can use any available links to view your item.
How do I request physical items available in the Library's collection?
When you'd like us to pull a print book from the shelf, use the "Request" button. Other request options such as "Request a Book Chapter" and "Requesting a Journal Scan" will display when applicable. "Request Item through Interlibrary Loan" will display when an item is not immediately available or is not available at all in the Library's collection.
How do I request an item not available at the UD Library?
To see electronic items not available in full text or to see physical items not in the collection, turn on the "Expand My Results" at the top of the filter menu once your initial list of search results displays. If an article says "No online access" or "Check for available services," click on the record. Request options, via Interlibrary Loan, will display, provided your are signed into your library account. as in the two images below:
or
Where is the Permalink/ Stable URL?
Permalinks are located in the "Send to" section.
Where is the Map It feature and call number for my book?
The clickable "Map It" feature and the call number are displayed on print books in the brief view of your item under the description. They are also in the Access section of the full item view.
Why do some results say "Multiple Versions?"
This is because UD Libraries, Museums and Press owns two or more versions of a book or article. You can click on the title to see which versions are available to you and where they are located.
