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Search results

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Learn how to sort, view, and move through search results in CatExpress.

No search results

If a search retrieves no results, the Advanced Search screen appears so you can revise your search.

Sorting search results

  1. At the right side of the screen, above the list of records retrieved, open the Action/Sort list. 
  2. Select Sort by Author or Sort by Title or Sort by Sort by Descending Date or Sort by Main Entry. 

 Note: Sorting is only available with results of 200 or fewer items.

If a record is not found

CatExpress retrieval may be affected by database maintenance, as well as creation and modification of bibliographic records. If you cannot find a matching record, wait a day or 2 and try again.

National library records

The table below lists the national libraries whose records are identified by an abbreviation on the Search Results screen.

Abbreviation National library
CYT National Central Library of Taiwan
GPO U.S. Government Publishing Office
LC Library of Congress
NAL National Agricultural Library
NLC Library and Archives Canada
NLM National Library of Medicine
PCC Program for Cooperative Cataloging
UKM British Library

View one record

If a search retrieves only one record, it is displayed immediately (the Search Results screen does not appear). When multiple records are retrieved, they are displayed on the Search Results screen.

  1. Click the title of the record you want.
  2. Click Edit Record to begin the cataloging process.
    OR
    If the record requires no editing, click Save to Catalog to attach your default holding library code.

 Note: Depending on the size of your record, you may need to scroll down to view it all.

Move through list (View List and View Record jump bar)

  • The View List jump bar appears at the top and bottom of each screen of the results list.
  • The View Record jump bar appears at the top and bottom of each screen of the results list.
Action How to
Move forward 10 entries Click the right arrow button (right of View List box).
Move back 10 entries Click the left arrow button (left of View List box).
View 10 entries beginning with specific entry Type an entry number in the View List box and press <Enter>.
View a specific record Click the hyperlinked entry number for the record you want to view.
Or
Type an entry number in the View Record box and press <Enter>.

Move between records (View Record jump bar)

  • The View Record jump bar appears at the top and bottom of each record screen.
  • The record position indicator ( Record _ of _) appears at the top and bottom of each record screen. As you move through the records, the indicator changes to reflect your current position in the results list.
Action How to
View next record in list Click the right arrow button (right of View Record box).
View previous record in list Click the left arrow button (left of View Record box).
View a specific record Type an entry number in the View Record box and press <Enter>.
Return to search results Click the Search Results button at the top or bottom of the record screen. Or
On the Cataloging tab, under Search Options, Resource Catalog, click Search Results.

Guidelines for selecting records

Use the following guidelines to determine if the record you are viewing matches the item that you are cataloging:

  • Standard Numbers. Because standard numbers (ISBN, ISSN, LCCN) are used as unique identifiers, the presence of the same standard number on the item you are cataloging and the record you have found strongly indicates a match.
  • Edition. Edition statements in titles should match. Different editions are different records. If editions do not match, the record is not a match.
  • Physical description (Format). The dimensions and other physical characteristics should match. If physical description is different, the record is not a match. For example, a CD and a cassette tape are different records, even if they have the same title and are issued by the same publisher.
  • Publishers. Publishers should match. If the title is the same and the publishers are different, the record is not a match.
  • Notes. Notes often highlight distinctions among similar items. Check notes for descriptions of distinctive characteristics of an item to help determine a match.
  • Library of Congress cataloging. Many libraries prefer records created by the Library of Congress. If LC appears after the title of the item on the Search Results screen, the record was created by the Library of Congress or another library participating in the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC).