Central Search

Welcome to Central Search, which is a search engine that allows simultaneous searching of multiple Connelly Library databases and the Connelly Library Catalog. You can use Advanced Central Search to search groups of databases arranged by general subjects. See below for some tips on how to use Central Search.

Some Basics:

• Not all Connelly Library databases are in Central Search. Use the alphabetic list to see all the databases.
• Or look in the Subject Guides under Databases and e-references.
• Use Central Search to help you determine which database to use for further research
• Limiting your search to 4 or 5 databases at a time or one subject area is a better and quicker option than searching all databases at once.

• Use quotes to search a phrase. CS automatically adds an "and" between words if you do not use quotes.
• When doing an author search, start with the author's last name first. But--- try it both ways.
• Remember, this is new technology and does not work like research databases and library catalogs. You must try different approaches to searching.
• When doing in-depth research, you will get better results if you link to the database itself and search it using its own interface. This allows use of thesauri and limiting options.
• More search help from Central Search.

Search by subject - first choose a broad category, then select one of the topics listed under it. You can further refine your search by choosing only a few of the databases under each topic.

The broad categories are:

• Arts and Humanities
• Social Sciences
• Nursing
• Sciences
• Newspapers
• Reference

• The technology behind Central Search will not work with all databases.
• Central Search uses a front-end searching technique that skims the surface of records. You cannot do an in-depth search like you can in a specific database.