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Library Search Help

Do you need help searching for library resources but don't know what search to use in the new, upgraded search?  You can figure it out using the information on this page!

The upgraded search combines information about resources the Mason Catalog, databases, media (streaming and physical formats/music and video content) and other collectdions including Masson dissertations and theses, the MARS research repository, images in LUNA and more.  The upgraded search also makes it easier to search for resources at our Washington Research Library Consortium (WRLC) partner schools (see who is a member here https://www.wrlc.org/membership).

Our upgrade search provides features you have used for searching in the past including:

  • Title, Author and call number searches.
  • Exact phrase seaching (Use quotes around your search terms),
  • Boolean searching using AND, OR, NOT,
  • Truncation and wildcard searching, and
  • Search limiters and filters including date published, resource type, peer-reviewed articles and more!

Use the examples below to help you identify which search you should use in the upgraded search.  If you need more help, contact us using one of the methods on the Ask a Librarian page (http://library.gmu.edu/ask).  Also check the Library Workshops schedule (http://library.gmu.edu/workshops) for workshops on searching.