Using the Boolean Search option is the only way to do a call number search. However, using the Advanced Search option and selecting Subject as the type of search, will give you similar results. A Boolean search is more precise but is a more difficult to construct.
To find these options, follow the steps below. FYI, this is not the same as using the Search link found on our home page.
Go to the full catalog page:
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Start at the home page www.bcpl.info
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Hover your mouse over the Books and More tab.
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Select the Catalog link from the drop-down menu.
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You’ll land on the full Catalog page > https://catalog.bcpl.lib.md.us/polaris/ <.
To do an Advanced Search (Subject Search):
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Once on the Catalog page, click on Advanced Search link which is located underneath the search box.
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Click the down arrow next to ‘Any Field’ and select ‘Subject’ from the menu.
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Enter search terms in the field next to Subject, such as ‘Maryland History’, as shown below.
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Scroll down to see the results. Unfortunately the list may not be in numerical order. To arrange in numerical order, use the Sort feature, as shown below, and select ‘Sort by Call Number’ from the drop down menu. For example, a search for call 320-330 would be sorted to start with 320 A, then be followed by 320 B, and so on.
- You can use the filters menu (on the left) to narrow your search down. Select “Available Now” to show you what is on the shelf now. Select a Branch or branches to show you what is available now at a certain branch. Select a type of material, like “Book” or DVD to narrow your results to show you only those. Otherwise you may have many formats in your results that you do not want such as audiobooks on CD, ebooks, DVDs, etc.
To Construct a Boolean Search:
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Go to the full Catalog page > https://catalog.bcpl.lib.md.us/polaris/ <.
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Click the Boolean Search link, which is located underneath the search box, next to the Advanced Search link.
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On the Boolean Search page, add your call number to the search field with the word CALL first. Here is an example of a Boolean call number search: CALL="973.0496 *" which should give results for only that one call number.
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Here is another example: CALL>="569" AND CALL<"572" which should give you results for a range of numbers from 570 to 571.9999.
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See more examples of search terms below. You must enter the search terms exactly as shown.
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Click on the magnifying glass icon to start the search or use the enter key on your keyboard. You can change the call number range to get more results.
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Scroll down to see the results. Unfortunately the list may not be in numerical order. To arrange in numerical order use the Sort feature, and select ‘Sort by Call Number’ from the drop down menu. For example, a search for call 320-330 would be sorted to start with 320 A, then be followed by 320 B, and so on.
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You can use the filters menu (on the left) to narrow your search down. Select “Available Now” to show you what is on the shelf now. Select a Branch or branches to show you what is available now at a certain branch. Select a type of material, like “Book” or DVD to narrow your results to show you only those. Otherwise you may have many formats in your results that you do not want such as audiobooks on CD, ebooks, DVDs, etc.
Examples of Boolean Search Terms for Call Numbers:
To find materials in just one call number: CALL="973.0496 *"
To find all call numbers greater or = to a number. For example, greater or = to 320 use this Boolean search: CALL>=320
To include a range of call numbers, use the following:
CALL>="569" AND CALL<"571"
CALL>="899.9999" AND CALL<"999.9999"
CALL>="972" AND CALL<"974"
List of Relative Boolean operators
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Symbol |
Relative Operation |
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= |
Equal to search term |
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<> |
Not equal to a single search term: |
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>= |
Greater than or equal to search term |
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> |
Greater than search term |
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<= |
Less than or equal to search term |
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< |
Less than search term |
