Creating More Powerful Searches
Using field codes
Field codes allow for searching individual metadata fields in Discovery. You can use them right from the library home page or the advanced search screen. Some codes are also available from the advanced search in the drop down menus. Field codes search all records in Discovery, including physical resources, ebooks and database records. If you are trying to perform a targeted search for a physical resource or ebook, use the facets and filters on the left side of the results.
These are some of the most useful field codes you might like to try on your next search:
| Field code (use capital letters) | What does it do? |
| AU | Author: performs a keyword search for in any author field |
| DE | Performs a phrase search for an exact subject heading |
| IB | ISBN: performs an exact match search on the ISBN or EISBN (International Standard Book Number) |
| IS | ISSN: performs an exact search on a serial's ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) |
| NU |
Call number: performs an exact search on call number fields. This can also be truncated with an asterisk to perform a browse-style search, though the records do not sort in order. Examples:
|
| PB | Publication information: performs a keyword search on publication information, such as publisher name |
| SU | Subject term: performs a keyword search of a subject heading |
| TI | Title: searches for title keywords in both English and non-English title fields. To search a title as a phrase, put the title in quotes (ex: TI "unbearable lightness") |
| TX | All text: performs a keyword search of all the searchable fields in the record |
Here's an example of how to use field codes:
Let's say you know you've enjoyed reading every comic book you've gotten your hands on that was published by the Italian comics and graphic novel publisher, Coconino Press. You're wondering how many of their books the library owns, and want to be able to find them and create a reading list for yourself.
Here's how you can do that:
After you click search, you will also see some other results that have "Coconino" in the record, but don't match what you're looking for in regards to the publisher. Don't forget that these code searches will also pull in results from databases and electronic resources. If you want to refine your search above to only pull in physical resources, use the facets and filters on the left side of the search results.
You can uncheck the box that limits to Five College/UMass electronic subscriptions. Further refine by selecting the Library Location as UMass Du Bois Library. For details and screenshots on how to do this, check out the information on Search strategy on the Searching for Graphic Novels & Comics tab.
Once you've filtered your search results, you'll see the 17 books owned by UMass published by Coconino Press. Note that you'll see "Coconino" in bold in each of the records below:
