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The Lisgar Library's OPAC (On-Line Public Access Catalogue) System is
called Alexandria
after the ancient Egyptian library that was once the greatest library in the
world.
For the moment, Alexandria can only be accessed from designated
computers in the library. Before the end of 2008, it will be accessible via
the Internet from any networked computer in the school.
Alexandria can help you find books in
Lisgar's collection searching by author, title, all words, series or call
number.
Exact matches are
required for your searches to work. For this reason, it is best to keep your
searches as short as possible. Often an All Words search will be more
successful than a search in a specific category.
A successful search
will list relevant resources including their titles, authors, call numbers,
the type of resource (book, document, periodical, DVD, etc.) and, in the
lower left corner of each record, an indication of whether the book is
signed In or checked Out.
Author, title and
call number searches must be exact matches.
The failure to put
the author's last name first, or the use of initials where the catalogue entry
uses a full name will result in unsuccessful searches, even when relevant
books are in the collection.
Unless the author's
last name is very common, simplify your search by using only the last name or
try and all All Words search. Look in the lower right hand corner of each record. Note that one of the books in the
results list is OUT according to Alexandria
All Words
searches sometimes generate unusual results such as those displayed below. If
you were doing research on chemical elements, the first three results listed
below would not be useful. Books whose call numbers begin with F or FIC are fiction; check for call numbers to see
in the 500 range in the Dewey Decimal System to find books on pure science (as opposed to applied science and technology in the 600 range).
When you click on
the information for the book a record card will come up.
This card will give
some additional information regarding the length of the book and the subject
headings under which it is listed. Note that the book in this record, Chemical elements has 96 pages (p.), illustrations (ill.) some of which are in colour (col.) and is 24 centimetres (cm.) tall.
If a Simple
Search gives you too many results, Alexandria also has an Advanced
Search feature that will let you add or eliminate terms in the results
using AND, OR and AND NOT.
Select a destination from
the menu at the bottom of
the page or click here
to return to the main menu.
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