Boolean Logic

Each Search For textbox is followed by a Boolean logic drop-down menu and a Search By drop-down menu. The Boolean logic affects only the textbox which is on the same line. Between each line are Boolean operator radio dials, which determine the relationship between the lines above and below.

Drop-down Menus

When using two or more words or terms in the same textbox, a relationship between them needs to be specified, so the Catalog knows how to treat them. Directly to the right of each textbox is a drop-down menu that determines how keywords in THE SAME textbox will be searched. There are three possible options:

• all of these - Searches the Catalog for item records that contain all of the words or terms entered. For example, a search for religion politics with this option selected retrieves only records that contain both "religion" and "politics".
• any of these - Searches the Catalog for item records that contain any of the words or terms entered. For example, a search for religion faith with this option selected retrieves only records that contain "religion", "faith", or both words.
• as a phrase - Searches the Catalog for item records that contain the words or terms adjacent, in a single field, and in the same order as entered. For example, a search for religious faith with this option selected retrieves only records that contain the phrase "religious faith".

Back [Home] Next

For assistance, contact a reference librarian at (262) 472-1032, by email or chat or in person at the Library's Reference Desk.