Finding books & more

TAL Online’s library catalogue search

Developed by Northern Lights Internet Solutions Ltd.

Finding Books & More Connecting Starting your search Understanding results

Brief results Full results

Requesting an item Starting a new search

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Connecting to TAL Online From your library web site

Link to TAL Online – start at search Enter the URL:

http://www.talonline.ca/ Click ‘Start’ button Staff use ‘Especially for library staff’ (if

necessary)

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Starting Your SearchThe Search Screen

Navigation BarSearch box areaAnnouncements

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Using the Search Page Construct your search by entering

WORDS to search for HOW you want to search WHAT to you want to search

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Entering WORDS to Search for

Enter the WORDS to search for biochemistry, skydiving safety Atwood, Pierre Berton Italian renaissance, last spike

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Choosing HOW to Search

Choose HOW you want to search Keywords Author Title

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Keyword Search

Searches your words in these fields: Author Title Subject Content

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Author Search Searches entire name

john smith smith, john smith john

Searches partial surname (most servers!) ‘Smit’ finds Smith, Smithe, Smitty, etc.

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Title Search Most catalogues do a ‘starts with’ search

gone with the wind gone with with the wind

Some catalogues do a ‘title phrase’ search

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Selecting WHAT you want to Search

Select WHAT you want to search from pull down menu Library catalogue Custom group

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Submitting your Search Start searching by clicking on search

button Search dialogue box:

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Shows catalogues that are slow or unavailable

Understanding Search ResultsSearch Summary

shows: List of catalogues

searched Count of items that

matched your search at each location

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Scanning Brief Results

First ten results ‘Click’ the title for

more information about the item

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Browsing Brief Results ‘Jump to’ functionality allows you to:

Move 10 records at a time Reposition at the end or beginning of

the list

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Understanding the Full Record

Provides detailed item information Author, title, date,

publisher, subjects, etc.

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Viewing HoldingsHoldings allow you to:

See which libraries own the book

See whether the book is available or out on loan

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Finding Related InformationSpecial links provide you with more

information:

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Book reviews Other library resources Web sites

Browsing Full RecordsMove through full records with

Previous and Next buttons

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Placing a RequestRequest button

Have the item sent to your local library for pickup

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Starting a New SearchMenu bar allows you to quickly:

Start a new search View search history View saved records Get help Logout

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How to Find HelpOn TAL Online site

Tips and Explains Help files Reference guide

Ask at your library