Basic Search is a simple interface that allows you to locate sources by entering any word or phrase. The University of Toronto Libraries landing page includes a version of Basic Search shown in the following image:
Basic Search also has a dedicated landing page as pictured in the following image:
On this dedicated page, you'll see a tool for limiting your search results to one of three formats: Books, Articles, and Book Chapters. Choose one of these formats or leave the tool set to All Formats.
As you start typing in the search box, a drop-down menu will appear allowing you to choose the kind of search you prefer. Currently these options are Everything, Catalogue, or Course Reserves; as illustrated in the following image:
Choose the option that best reflects your research or information need.
| Everything | Most searches start by using the everything search. If you want to see results that include book chapters and articles, you need to choose this option. |
|---|---|
| Catalogue | If you are searching only for physical materials in a library, full ebooks, e-journals, or streaming media, use the Catalogue option. But note, while this option gives you more tools to refine you results, it does not include journal articles or book chapters. |
| Course Reserves | Looking for course material? This option limits search results to those chosen by course instructors to be used for teaching. |
Once you've entered your terms in the search box, a drop-down menu will appear allowing you to limit your search by library - the results will include online resources as well as materials with physical holdings in that library.
This Basic Search option returns a set of results that include course reserve items and tools for filtering by course and instructor.
The search you enter can be very simple, without using any expert techniques.
If you are a more experienced researcher, Basic Search also allows you to use search operators that broaden or narrow your results.
If you would like to learn more about using "search operators" to improve your results, visit the Using Search Operators page of this guide or book a consultation with a librarian.
If you would like additional options to help you narrow your search to the most relevant results, select Advanced Search.
