Cross Searching Online Reference Collections

CrossSearch is a feature which allows you to search one or more of the Library's databases at one time. You can create your own list of resources to search, or use one of the Library's preselected searches (called QuickSearch).

A Note About CrossSearch

CrossSearch can be a efficient way of finding information. However, it does have some drawbacks. CrossSearch does not work with all of the electronic resources available through the Library. As a result, by choosing CrossSearch, you may be limiting your search to only a selection of sources (some of which may not be the best for your particular topic). In addition, CrossSearch only provides the most basic search features. Most native interfaces for databases are optimized for their specific users. Limits, thesaurus searching, or other search features are not available using CrossSearch.

QuickSearch

The Library provides six CrossSearch "Quick Sets" for its users, one of which is "Encyclopedias/Dictionaries", which searches The Encyclopaedia Britannica, The Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford Reference Online, and xreferplus.

To start your QuickSearch, go to the search box near the top of the screen on the Library's Web site. Select "Search CrossSearch," and chose the set you would like to search. Then just enter your search terms and select "Go." Viewing Your QuickSearch Results.

Creating Your Own Set of Resources

To create a group of databases for CrossSearch, go to the section appearing on the left side of your screen which says "Identify database". Select "Reference, General" as a subject, and then select your sub-category. You will retrieve a list of resources available from the Library. Browse through the list and you will notice that some resources have a check-box which appears to the left of the database name. These databases work with the CrossSearch feature.

To begin your CrossSearch, select the resources you would like to search and then enter your search terms and click "Go" for a list of results.

There is also an Advanced Search feature available which will allow you to conduct searches on specific fields, such as Subject, Title, or Author.