You can also refine your catalog searches by using the Advanced Search mode for the online library catalog and applying some limits, such as a publication date range. And, make sure to apply these searching principles as you gather information about your topic:
Break topic
down into concepts & keywords
Use Boolean
operators and truncation in database searching
Browse subject
headings in catalog/database thesaurus or citation record
Limit by material
type, date, location,...etc.
Also remember that using the Search OhioLINK button will expand your search- useful if you need a book when our copy is unavailable, or if we don't own a specific book that you need.
You can also use Search OhioLINK if you want to expand your keyword or subject heading search from our holdings to those of the larger OhioLINK consortium.
And, you can apply the same search refinements and limits in OhioLink as you would in the Case Libraries online catalog.
For more details on using the catalog, see the research guide for First Seminar, where there are also video tutorials on using these tools.
Special Collections materials
Similar to the Western Reserve Historical Society, the Kelvin Smith Library has many old or rare books in our Special Collections unit on the 2nd floor of the library. Some of these books may relate to your research topic. You can find records for books in this collection using the Case Libraries online catalog.
If you come across these items in the online library catalog, you will note that their location is "Special Collections". You are welcome to use these titles! Simply contact our special collections librarian, Sue Hanson, to arrange an appointment to use these books: