Occidental College Library - Catalog Search Help



Search OASys

Search Tips
Keyword Search	The Keyword search finds words in the title, subject heading, author, or notes. Keyword searching is often the best place to begin. The new layout makes limiting searches fields easy.
Title Search	Use the title search to find the beginning of a specific title entering words in order; the first few words are often enough. If you do not know the first words, use a keyword search.
Author Search	Locate items by a specific author. For personal names: type the last name first; enter organization names as written.
Subject Search	Browse through entries using the list of subject terms developed by the Library of Congress. Using a Library of Congress Subject Heading Search is good for precise results. Click HERE for The Library of Congress page for searching "LCSH".
Number Searches	The Main Collection at Oxy is arranged by Library of Congress Call Number. Click HERE to do an "LCCN" Search. For an outline of "LCCN" try this link. Books in Special Collections are arranged using the Dewey Decimal System and other specialized systems. Click HERE to Search by DDC and Other Call numbers. For an outline of the Dewey System, use this link. The Government Documents Number search uses numbers supplied by the United Nations, the United States G.P.O., and the State of California. For an explanation of the GPO's "Sudocs" system, click here. For an explanation of United Nations Sales Numbers, click here. The Miscellaneous Number search uses the International Standard Book Number (ISBN), International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), and other assigned numbers.