CSU Libraries > How Do I > Gil > Keyword (Boolean) Search

Keyword (Boolean) Search

GIL is the library's web based book and media catalog. Keyword or multibox searching lets you combine the concepts that make up your topics by using an easy-to-fill-in diagram. This enables very precise and powerful searches.

1. The most difficult part of a keyword search occurs before you sit down at the computer. Write down or think of your topic and then list or circle the main concepts. For example, the tropical rainforest has tropical and rainforest as its main concepts.
2. Now click the Keyword Search tab from on top of the initial menu on GIL's first screen.
   
   
   
3. You will see a multibox like the one below. On each row put in a concept for your search. You can put more than one synonym for each concept in a box. (Just set the middle scroll box to any of these.) You can also set the scroll box at the right for Subject Heading instead of Keyword Anywhere for more precise searching.
   
   
   
4. Click Go to start your search.
5. GIL presents you with a list of titles like the partial one below. GIL arranges these in relevance order. Relevance is roughly the number of times your search words appear in the title and subject.
   
   
   
6. Most of the time, this list gives you enough information to find the items you need. In addition to title and author, this list gives you the books' call numbers and lets you know if they go out and are on the shelf.
   
   CIRCULATING COLLECTION means a book or other item can go out.
   GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS usually circulate too.
   NOT CHECKED OUT means the book is on the shelf.
7. For more information on a particular book, click on its blue title.
8. To see additional titles on a long list, press the Next arrow. To return to a previous list of titles, hit the Previous arrow. Note: not all arrows are active.
9. To print out a list of books (or other materials) click on the print icon at the top of the Netscape or IE browser. In Netscape you need to tell the printer OK before it will print.
10. To adjust your keyword search, click on New Search and refill the boxes with new synonyms or spellings for your search concepts.
11. If you see a red error message on a screen that says your search has timed out, click on the blue or purple link to start a new search.
12. You can access GIL from any computer with an internet connection. You do not need a password.

(Created by Eileen H. Kramer Science Reference Librarian -- November 2004)