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Searching FirstSearch Databases

Instructions on how to search databases subscribed to from FirstSearch (OCLC).

FirstSearch Explanation

OCLC changed the platform from FirstSearch to a more universal platform.  It now works like a discovery system rather than an individual database search. Because of this change, only one URL is available for searching all/any of the OCLC databases.  The University Libraries has chosen to link to the Advanced Search screen which will allow the user to decide which databases to search.  The following section is an illustrated guide to how to select the desired databases.

Search OCLC databases.

Selecting OCLC Database(s)

After landing on the Advanced Search screen, you will need to decide if you want to search all of the OCLC databases or only certain databases.

 

    If you want to select all of the OCLC databases, simply click on the "Select All in Group" button under the FirstSearch heading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To select individual databases, click on the little arrow next to the FirstSearch heading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Choose the desired database(s) by clicking on the box next to the database name.

 

Click on the "Save Changes" button.    

You are now ready to search.

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