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Using the Athena Library Catalog
Quick Search Athena's most basic search screen allows you to do a keyword, author, title, or subject search. The default is to keyword search, otherwise you must type your topic in the box and use your mouse to click the designated icon on the right side of the screen. The results screen will show you the format of the item (book, CD, video, etc.), title, author, call number and status. Your search term(s) will always appear in bold so that you can assess their location in the entry.
Keyword Search - the broadest search you can do. You will get the greatest number of hits, but also the widest array of choices. Use to see what is available.
Subject Search - more specific than the Keyword Search because you will be searching specific Library of Congress Subject Headings that have a controlled vocabulary. Use if the results from the keyword search are too overwhelming.
Author Search - if you know the author's name, this is where you need to go. Search by the author's last name.
Title Search - if you know the title or some of the words in the title, try searching here.
Advanced Search Athena's Advanced Search allows you to create a very specific search by choosing to search up to three separate fields in an entry. You may choose to search all indexes (keyword), title words, subject words, author words, notes words, title index, author index, subject index, publisher, series code, barcode, call number, ISBN, LCCN, location, format, fund, date of publication, date acquired, full subjects, and reading program. The difference between doing a "words" search and an "index" search is that the "index" search browses for the first word of the headings while the "words" search searches all the words in the heading.
The Browse option allows you to see the alphabetical list of subject headings.
Visual Search If you are looking for a collection of books to browse, try the visual search and choose a topic of interest. The Browse the Library icon has additional topics.
If you have any questions, please ask a librarian. We are always willing to help you.
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